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Previous Winners

The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, is proud to celebrate exemplary Oregon educators, both past and present.

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2023
Profile photo of Rosa Floyd

Rosa Floyd

Nellie Muir Elementary School

Woodburn

Willamette

Rosa Floyd

Rosa Floyd

  • School: Nellie Muir Elementary School
  • Grade Level: Kindergarten

“I believe that education is like dance. There are steps we learn, times when we fall, adaptations we make based on who is dancing, tradition, culture, community, and partnership.”
2022
Profile photo of Ethelyn Tumalad

Ethelyn Tumalad

Clackamas High School

Clackamas

Clackamas

Ethelyn Tumalad

Ethelyn Tumalad

  • School: Clackamas High School
  • Teaches: English Language Arts
  • Grade Level: 10-11

“A metaphor of my classroom is a dining table. There’s always a seat at the table, and whatever my student is hungry for, they’ll get.”
2021
Profile photo of Nicole Butler-Hooton

Nicole Butler-Hooton

Irving Elementary School

Eugene

Lane

Nicole Butler-Hooton

Nicole Butler-Hooton

  • School: Irving Elementary School
  • Teaches: All Subjects
  • Grade Level: Grade 2

“My mission is to create an environment where all students feel they belong. I will continue my efforts each day to be an educator who makes a difference for equity and social justice.”
2020
Profile photo of Mercedes Muñoz

Mercedes Muñoz

Franklin High School

Portland

Multnomah

Mercedes Muñoz

Mercedes Muñoz

  • School: Franklin High School
  • Teaches: Special Education
  • Grade Level: 11-12

“While being an educator can be daunting, tiresome, and even frustrating--the great moments are what we live, breathe, and die for.”
2019
Profile photo of Keri Pilgrim

Keri Pilgrim

Churchill High School

Eugene

Lane

Keri Pilgrim

Keri Pilgrim

  • School: Churchill High School
  • Teaches: Health Services Pathway
  • Grade Level: High School

2018
Profile photo of Matthew Bacon-Brenes

Matthew Bacon-Brenes

Mt. Tabor Middle School

Portland

Multnomah

Matthew Bacon-Brenes

Matthew Bacon-Brenes

  • School: Mt. Tabor Middle School
  • Teaches: Japanese
  • Grade Level: K-8

2017
Profile photo of Gloria Pereyra-Robertson

Gloria Pereyra-Robertson

Howard Elementary School

Medford

Southern Oregon

Gloria Pereyra-Robertson

Gloria Pereyra-Robertson

  • School: Howard Elementary School
  • Teaches: bilingual kindergarten
  • Grade Level: Kindergarten
2016
Profile photo of Heather Anderson

Heather Anderson

Juniper Elementary

Bend

High Desert

Heather Anderson

Heather Anderson

  • School: Juniper Elementary
  • Teaches: 4th Grade
  • Grade Level: 4th Grade
2015
Profile photo of Michael Lindblad

Michael Lindblad

Gresham High School

Gresham

Multnomah

Michael Lindblad

Michael Lindblad

  • School: Gresham High School
  • Teaches: Social Studies
  • Grade Level: High School
2014
Profile photo of Brett Bigham

Brett Bigham

Multnomah Education Service District

Multnomah

Multnomah

Brett Bigham

Brett Bigham

  • School: Multnomah Education Service District
  • Teaches: special education transitions
2013
Profile photo of Nanette Lehman

Nanette Lehman

Haines Elementary

Haines

InterMountain

Nanette Lehman

Nanette Lehman

  • School: Haines Elementary
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 2
2012
Profile photo of Elena Garcia-Velasco

Elena Garcia-Velasco

SEIS@Roosevelt

Portland

Multnomah

Elena Garcia-Velasco

Elena Garcia-Velasco

  • School: SEIS@Roosevelt
  • Teaches: Spanish Language Arts
2011
Profile photo of Colleen Works

Colleen Works

Corvallis High School

Corvallis

Linn Benton Lincoln

Colleen Works

Colleen Works

  • School: Corvallis High School
  • Teaches: Social Sciences
  • Grade Level: High School
2010
Profile photo of Donna DuBois VanDeurzen

Donna DuBois VanDeurzen

Camas Ridge Community School

Eugene

Lane

Donna DuBois VanDeurzen

Donna DuBois VanDeurzen

  • School: Camas Ridge Community School
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 4
2009

Michael Lampert

West Salem High School

Salem

Willamette

Michael Lampert

  • School: West Salem High School
  • Teaches: Physics
  • Grade Level: High School
2008

Mike Geisen

Crook County Middle School

Prineville

High Desert

Mike Geisen

  • School: Crook County Middle School
2007

Jackie Cooke

West Gresham Grade School

Gresham

Multnomah

Jackie Cooke

  • School: West Gresham Grade School
2006

Allan Bruner

Colton High School

Colton

Clackamas

Allan Bruner

  • School: Colton High School
  • Grade Level: High School
2005

Steven Wyborney

Nyssa Elementary School

Nyssa

Malheur

Steven Wyborney

  • School: Nyssa Elementary School
  • Grade Level: Elementary
2004

Catherine H. Thurber-Brown

Tigard High School

Tigard

NW Regional

Catherine H. Thurber-Brown

  • School: Tigard High School
  • Grade Level: High School
2003

Carrie Carpenter

Hugh Hartman Middle School

Redmond

High Desert

Carrie Carpenter

  • School: Hugh Hartman Middle School
2002

Deborah Jean White

Lyle Elementary School

Dallas

Willamette

Deborah Jean White

  • School: Lyle Elementary School
  • Grade Level: Elementary School
2001

Norma Barber

Ukiah School District 80R

Ukiah

InterMountain

Norma Barber

  • School: Ukiah School District 80R
2000

Xochtil Fuhriman-Ebert

Ontario Middle School

Ontario

Malheur

Xochtil Fuhriman-Ebert

  • School: Ontario Middle School
1999

Dave Bertholf

Clear Lake Elementary School

Keizer

Willamette

Dave Bertholf

  • School: Clear Lake Elementary School
1998

Nicki Gayle Hudson

West Linn High School

West Linn

Clackamas

Nicki Gayle Hudson

  • School: West Linn High School
1997

C. Ford Morishita

Clackamas High School

Milwaukie

Clackamas

C. Ford Morishita

  • School: Clackamas High School
1996

Raymond Hasart

Redmond High School

Redmond

High Desert

Raymond Hasart

  • School: Redmond High School
1995

Barbara L. Murray

West Linn High School

West Linn

Clackamas

Barbara L. Murray

  • School: West Linn High School
1994

Joanne E. Johnson

Goshen Elementary School

Eugene

Lane

Joanne E. Johnson

  • School: Goshen Elementary School
1993

Sally Leahy

Glendale High School

Glendale

Douglas

Sally Leahy

  • School: Glendale High School
1992

Daniel Tilson

Eastwood Elementary School

Roseburg

Douglas

Daniel Tilson

  • School: Eastwood Elementary School
1991

Bonnie Elliott

Bend Senior High School

Bend

High Desert

Bonnie Elliott

  • School: Bend Senior High School
1990

Stuart Perlmeter

Springfield Middle School

Springfield

Lane

Stuart Perlmeter

  • School: Springfield Middle School
1989

Edward Lee McKinney

Obsidian Junior High School

Redmond

High Desert

Edward Lee McKinney

  • School: Obsidian Junior High School
1988

Vincent A. Wixon

Crater High School

Central Point

Southern Oregon

Vincent A. Wixon

  • School: Crater High School
1987

Dorothy Sawyer

Gladstone High School

Gladstone

Clackamas

Dorothy Sawyer

  • School: Gladstone High School
1986

James R. Erickson

Redmond Senior High

Redmond

High Desert

James R. Erickson

  • School: Redmond Senior High
1985

Rick Wetherell

North Bend High School

North Bend

South Coast

Rick Wetherell

  • School: North Bend High School
1984

Evelyn Mae Andrews

Tualatin Elementary School

Tualatin

NW Regional

Evelyn Mae Andrews

  • School: Tualatin Elementary School
1983

Jean Hoem

Oregon School for the Blind

Salem

Willamette

Jean Hoem

  • School: Oregon School for the Blind
1982

Lynda Hatch

Pilot Butte Junior High School

Bend

High Desert

Lynda Hatch

  • School: Pilot Butte Junior High School
1981

Bonnie Morgan

Sam Barlow High School

Gresham

Multnomah

Bonnie Morgan

  • School: Sam Barlow High School
1980

Marlene Tymchuk

Reedsport High School

Reedsport

South Coast

Marlene Tymchuk

  • School: Reedsport High School
1979

Chester K. Bowser

Crater High School

Central Point

Southern Oregon

Chester K. Bowser

  • School: Crater High School
1978

Joy Jeannine Linder

Tualatin School

Tualatin

NW Regional

Joy Jeannine Linder

  • School: Tualatin School
1977

Nola W. Coval

Brown Junior High School

Hillsboro

NW Regional

Nola W. Coval

  • School: Brown Junior High School
1976

Douglas D. Anderson

McMinnville High School

McMinnville

NW Regional

Douglas D. Anderson

  • School: McMinnville High School
1975

Joyce J. Osternig

Winston Churchill High School

Eugene

Lane

Joyce J. Osternig

  • School: Winston Churchill High School
1974

Mike Ford

Waluga Junior High School

Lake Oswego

Clackamas

Mike Ford

  • School: Waluga Junior High School
1973

John Arthur Ensworth

Kenwood Elementary School

Bend

High Desert

John Arthur Ensworth

  • School: Kenwood Elementary School
1972

Verne Martin

Twality Junior High School

Tigard

Clackamas

Verne Martin

  • School: Twality Junior High School
1971

John A. Duncan

Blossom Gulch Elementary and Marshfield Junior High Schools

Coos Bay

South Coast

John A. Duncan

  • School: Blossom Gulch Elementary and Marshfield Junior High Schools
1970

Carlton Bryson

Benson High School

Portland

Multnomah

Carlton Bryson

  • School: Benson High School
1969

Alene Nelson

Lake Oswego Junior High School

Lake Oswego

Clackamas

Alene Nelson

  • School: Lake Oswego Junior High School
1968

James Grossnicklaus

Philomath High School

Philomath

Linn Benton Lincoln

James Grossnicklaus

  • School: Philomath High School
1967

Gene Doty

Hillsboro Union High School

Hillsboro

NW Regional

Gene Doty

  • School: Hillsboro Union High School
1966

Norman Anderson

Tillamook High School

Tillamook

NW Regional

Norman Anderson

  • School: Tillamook High School
1965

John McManus

McMinnville Junior & Senior High School

McMinnville

Willamette

John McManus

  • School: McMinnville Junior & Senior High School
1964

Marie Prescott

Ashland Elementary

Ashland

Southern Oregon

Marie Prescott

  • School: Ashland Elementary
1963

Gladys B. Belden

Albany Union High School

Albany

Linn Benton Lincoln

Gladys B. Belden

  • School: Albany Union High School
1962

Lorraine Sabo

Meriwether Lewis Elementary School

Portland

Multnomah

Lorraine Sabo

  • School: Meriwether Lewis Elementary School
1959

Mary Hawkes

Hood River High School

Hood River

Columbia Gorge

Mary Hawkes

  • School: Hood River High School
1955

Margaret Perry

Monmouth Elementary School

Monmouth

Willamette

Margaret Perry

  • School: Monmouth Elementary School
Kate Fisher Hedeen

Kate Fisher Hedeen

  • School: Oregon City High School
  • Teaches: Biology
  • Grade Level: High School

“When we as educators question our biases and reflect on our practice in meaningful ways, we approach expertise and advance the potential of our youth.”
Patrick Getchis

Patrick Getchis

  • School: Wy'east Middle School
  • Teaches: Industrial Technology
  • Grade Level: Middle School

“With appropriate scaffolds and teacher collaboration across subjects, students can be given space, time and freedom to make their learning come to life.”
Beverly Scott

Beverly Scott

  • School: Riddle Jr./Sr. High School
  • Teaches: Life Science
  • Grade Level: 7-12

“Our students are our beacon. They guide us in our instruction and give us a sense of hope for the future.”
Melissa Stolasz

Melissa Stolasz

  • School: Ridgeview High School
  • Teaches: Science/Math
  • Grade Level: High School

“Students, the thing that will make your eyes light up, the future that you will have, is probably something you don’t even know about yet, so keep every door open that you can!”
JD Cant

JD Cant

  • School: Imbler High School
  • Teaches: Agriculture
  • Grade Level: Grades 7-12

“It is our collective purpose to inculcate and foster a culture where students are connected, valued, and resilient to withstand all that life will bring them on their journey.”
Melanie Friend

Melanie Friend

  • School: Ashwood Elementary School
  • Teaches: All Subjects
  • Grade Level: Grades K-8

“Students will share their victories with you, and in that, it becomes your victory as well. So, know your students, foster those trusting relationships, and watch them succeed!”
Stacey Martin

Stacey Martin

  • School: Adel School District
  • Teaches: All Subjects
  • Grade Level: Grades 4-8

“I am so happy to represent the greatest profession there is. Helping young people find their gifts and see in themselves what we see in them is what all teachers strive to do.”
Brian Hanna

Brian Hanna

  • School: Newport High School
  • Teaches: Mathematics
  • Grade Level: High School

“It is truly my pleasure to receive my students’ energy and enthusiasm and let it infuse my teaching. My students remind me every day why I became a teacher.”
Mayra Pelayo

Mayra Pelayo

  • School: Aiken Elementary School
  • Teaches: All Subjects
  • Grade Level: Kindergarten

“By understanding the situations that many of our students encounter each day, our minds and hearts will be open to making sure we are emotionally present for them.”
James Jeffrey-West

James Jeffrey-West

  • School: McDaniel High School
  • Teaches: Social Studies
  • Grade Level: High School

“Education is powerful, memorable, real, and emancipatory when it transcends the classroom, and these experiences give students reasons to care and engage authentically.”
Ryan Hamilton

Ryan Hamilton

  • School: Tillamook High School
  • Teaches: History
  • Grade Level: High School

“I aim to demonstrate what it looks like to be vulnerable, to take chances, to experiment, to collaborate, and to take the kind of risks that evolve learning systems.”
Christina Geierman

Christina Geierman

  • School: North Bend High School
  • Teaches: Science
  • Grade Level: High School

“As an educator, my goal is to create a generation of informed citizens who understand what science is and how it can inform their choices.”
Jordan Werner

Jordan Werner

  • School: Riverside Elementary School
  • Teaches: Physical Education
  • Grade Level: Grades K-5

“I believe in the power of classroom creativity, that movement is for everyone, and that given the right exposure to different activities every student can find something they enjoy!”
Larkin Foley

Larkin Foley

  • School: McKay High School
  • Teaches: Language Arts
  • Grade Level: High School

“Call it a village, call it a community, call it a coalition. As educators and impassioned supporters of education, we know we cannot do it alone.”
Alissa Tran

Alissa Tran

  • School: Molalla High School
  • Teaches: Art
  • Grade Level: High School

“If I’m going to claim that every bit of seat time counts, I better make sure that my classroom feels humanizing, relevant, rigorous, engaging, valuable and empowering.”
Dave Case

Dave Case

  • School: Hood River Valley High School
  • Teaches: Social Studies
  • Grade Level: High School

“Students need to feel safe to strive. We must provide an environment in which students can challenge themselves with rigorous coursework without fear.”
Janel Sorenson

Janel Sorenson

  • School: Sutherlin Middle School
  • Teaches: Science, Coding, Robotics
  • Grade Level: 7

“We are a profession of optimists. Our best selves think the future is worth our time and energy, which is powerful.”
Katelyn Dover

Katelyn Dover

  • School: John Tuck Elementary
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 1

“I believe with every ounce of my being that relationships are the most important tool in a classroom and the best way to increase student outcomes.”
TJ Presley

TJ Presley

  • School: Pilot Rock High School
  • Teaches: Math
  • Grade Level: Junior High

“Think back to the reasons you chose education as a career path, and bring the same energy as you did the first day of school. ”
Manda Currier

Manda Currier

  • School: Buff Elementary
  • Teaches: Special Education
  • Grade Level: K-5

“We need passionate, introspective and collaborative colleagues and lawmakers to help ensure that the desired success of our students comes to fruition.”
Renee Klein

Renee Klein

  • School: Marcola School District
  • Teaches: Special Education
  • Grade Level: 6-12

“It is our job, as teachers, as administrators, as human beings to find the inherent value in each and every one of our students, and help them grow.”
Joshua Dunnell

Joshua Dunnell

  • School: Farm Home School
  • Teaches: Math
  • Grade Level: Secondary

“Failure can be a new beginning, because tomorrow is always an opportunity to change the world through relationships. This is why I teach.”
Jon Fresh

Jon Fresh

  • School: Westview High School
  • Teaches: Special Education
  • Grade Level: K-12

“Building the bridge between students and learning happens when we acknowledge their past and invite the entire school community to be part of their fight for success.”
Susie Chaney

Susie Chaney

  • School: Reedsport Community Charter School
  • Teaches: Math
  • Grade Level: 7-12

“I have been made a better person, more patient, caring, and concerned because of my students’ strength in adversity, perseverance in dire circumstances, and true grit.”
Tia McLean

Tia McLean

  • School: Helman Elementary School
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: Kindergarten

“Teaching is the most beautiful and blessed profession. It has and always will be the true testament of the human spirit.”
Charles Sanderson

Charles Sanderson

  • School: Woodburn Wellness, Business and Sports School
  • Teaches: Language Arts
  • Grade Level: High School

“Each student brings potential and possibility, and it’s up to us to keep pushing and digging and discovering new ways of ensuring that all of that potential blossoms, grows and thrives. ”
Todd Jones

Todd Jones

  • School: West Linn High School
  • Teaches: Social Studies
  • Grade Level: High School

Oregon Teacher of the Year Finalist

“Why do I teach? Each day is an opportunity for me to love and be loved. Who wouldn’t want that for a career? Love your kids as if they're your own. In truth, they are. ”
Matt Rutledge

Matt Rutledge

  • School: Mosier Community School
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 4 & 5

“Educating students is challenging. But it is also one of the most rewarding endeavors in which a human being can engage.”
Michele Engle

Michele Engle

  • School: Monument School
  • Teaches: Language Arts and Career Technical Education
  • Grade Level: 7-12

“We live in the most perfect scientific lab. It is just ripe with examples of the subject matter we are teaching. Explore it, manipulate it, and study it.”
Rosemary Tyson

Rosemary Tyson

  • School: Obsidian Middle School
  • Teaches: Mathematics
  • Grade Level: 6

“When staff, students, parents, and community members adopt an, “All in, can do: working together to make a difference” attitude, we can impact achievement for all students.”
Robert Fairchild

Robert Fairchild

  • School: Weston-McEwen High School
  • Teaches: Science & Math
  • Grade Level: 8-12

“If students are doing science they're learning science. Content's important, but devoid of the process, it's sterile, dry and dull. Science is about active not passive learning.”
Marcy Doyle

Marcy Doyle

  • School: Yaquina View Elementary School
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 1

Oregon Teacher of the Year Finalist

“In a world of mixed messages, bias, mediocrity and selfishness, be a change agent. Instill the love of learning and above all else, love our children unconditionally.”
Rhonda Erstrom

Rhonda Erstrom

  • School: Vale Elementary School
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 2

“As educators, it is our job to give our students a voice and a place for them to dream big. By doing so, we are helping to facilitate our own future.”
Tina Roberts

Tina Roberts

  • School: Gresham Barlow School District
  • Teaches: Language Arts & Literacy
  • Grade Level: High School

“I expect my students to do their best work every day, because every day, I'm doing my best work for them. My students believe in themselves because they know I believe in them.”
Naheed Brown

Naheed Brown

  • School: Mary Woodward Elementary
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 1

“My motto always has been “Hands on, minds on, hearts on… learning.” Hence every lesson I teach, I am very aware of these criteria that guide the way I connect with students.”
Arlee Hall

Arlee Hall

  • School: Coquille Valley Elementary School
  • Teaches: Elementary Education
  • Grade Level: 3

“On a daily basis, teachers challenge students to develop 21st century learning skills by providing opportunities to collaborate, communicate, and create.”
Greg Bryant

Greg Bryant

  • School: North Medford High School
  • Teaches: Language Arts
  • Grade Level: 9

“When students know they can affect their community by applying what they learn in school, we know learning transcends the classroom.”
Amy Korst

Amy Korst

  • School: Willamina High School
  • Teaches: Language Arts
  • Grade Level: High School

Oregon Teacher of the Year Finalist

“I want every student to leave my classroom equipped to read news with the ability to think critically, recognize bias if one exists, and form opinions about the issue at hand.”

How Nominations Work

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1

Nominate a Teacher

Know a great teacher? Fill out the nomination form and tell us what makes them exceptional!

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2

Teacher of the Year Applications

We notify qualifying nominees and invite them to apply for Teacher of the Year.

Regional Teachers of the Year Selected icon

3

Regional Teachers of the Year Selected

Each of Oregon’s 19 Education Service Districts review applications from their area and choose a winner for their region.

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4

Oregon Teacher of the Year Selected

Finalists are chosen from among the regional winners, and then the designated candidate will be recommended to the Director of Oregon Department of Education as the next Oregon Teacher of the Year.

Nominations for 2023-24 have closed! Check back in the fall when we announce the Regional Teachers of the Year!