Nominations are open for 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Honor an outstanding educator in your life - Nominations for Oregon Teacher of the Year are open now through February 6.
The Oregon Teacher of the Year serves as the face and voice of educators across the state. As a representative of the profession, this teacher leader will engage and inspire other teachers and community leaders.
Nominees for Oregon Teacher of the Year should be exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12.
What happens after nominations close in February?
All eligible teachers* who have been nominated will be invited to apply. Candidates who submit an application will then be in-the-running to be selected as a Regional Teacher of the Year from one of the 19 Education Service Districts statewide. Every Regional Teacher of the Year will be awarded $1,000 and will be celebrated across the state in September.
One of the Regional Winners will then be chosen as the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year by a blue ribbon panel. Thanks to ODE’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Teacher of the Year receives an award of $10,000, as well as a special fund to cover all travel costs for the year.
“Being selected as Oregon Teacher of the Year has truly been an honor for me, my family, and my community. It has felt like an award we've all won,” said Bryan Butcher Jr., Oregon’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year. “The chance to make an impact is why I began teaching. And with this new honor, I have the chance to spread that impact in ways I could not have imagined. I'm stoked for the future!”
The Oregon Teacher of the Year will also submit an application to be considered for the honor of National Teacher of the Year.
Thank you for nominating an exemplary educator in your life!
If you have questions, please reach out to Oregon Teacher of the Year Program Coordinator, Michelle Goodness.
*For more information about Oregon Teacher of the Year eligibility requirements, please see the “About” section on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website.
