OnPoint Credit Union seeks nominations for 16th annual Prize for Excellence in Education
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — For 16 years, OnPoint Community Credit Union has honored Oregon and SW Washington educators with its Prize for Excellence in Education. This May, OnPoint will award $193,000 to the winning educators and schools nominated by their students and community. While every year is a big celebration, the 16-year mark has additional meaning for OnPoint.
“Our credit union was founded by 16 schoolteachers, and 2025 marks the 16th year of this incredible program that honors and gives back to the amazing educators in our community,” said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “These individuals have such an indelible impact on the young minds they nurture, and that deserves to be celebrated. We encourage the community to help us thank and reward these teachers by nominating them for recognition.”
Four winning educators will have their mortgage or rent paid by OnPoint for one year. Four runners-up will each receive a $5,000 cash prize. The OnPoint Prize also includes the Community Builder Award for innovative school projects. Four schools will receive $2,000, and a fifth school selected by community votes will receive $5,000.
About the Nomination Process
Anyone can nominate an outstanding educator or apply for a Community Builder award at onpointprize.com. Educators may also nominate themselves. Applicants must be full-time or job-share classroom teachers, counselors, school administrators or librarians for grades Pre-K-12. They must work in an accredited public, private or charter school, located within any county that OnPoint serves. OnPoint also accepts applications for the Community Builder awards within those same counties. The nomination period closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 8. Educator of the Year finalists and Community Builder winners will be announced May 7.
Since 2010, the OnPoint Prize has awarded more than $843,000 in prizes to 326 local educators and schools. This year’s awards include:
- Educators of the Year: Four educators will have their mortgage or rent paid for one year and receive a $2,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies. One educator from each category below will be chosen:
- Grades K-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
- Gold Star: This category recognizes one educator who is a pre-kindergarten teacher, school counselor, substitute teacher, librarian or school administrator.
Runners-up: Four educators, one from each of the above categories, will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to each of their schools for resources and supplies.
- Community Builder Awards: One school, selected by community votes, will receive $5,000 for a project that will meaningfully improve that school or community.Four additional schools will each receive $2,000 for special projects.
Meet the 2024 Educators of the Year who had their mortgage or rent paid over the last year
Rachel Hertz, 1st grade at North Star Elementary School, Bend, Ore.
For 20 years Rachel Hertz has focused on creating a sense of belonging in her students. Hertz, a proud representative of her Bolivian and Mexican heritage, ensures her classroom celebrates every student’s background. She integrates social-emotional learning into her curriculum to foster a supportive space where students excel and develop resilience. Hertz’s initiatives extend beyond traditional teaching methods. She hosted a team-building event for school staff, led a Lego Club to build rapport with students after school and initiated an annual Kindness Carnival to promote positive community values.
Sherry Reeder, 6th-8th grade special education teacher at Molalla River Middle School, Molalla, Ore
Sherry Reeder not only inspires kids in her classroom, but she also transforms her school community. Reeder takes a student-centered approach to create an environment where students are more than just recipients of knowledge, but active participants in the educational journey. Beyond teaching, she serves as the assistant coach for the Unified basketball and kickball teams, which give students with disabilities equal access to sports. Reeder also plans summer programs and organizes student award nights.
Michelle Colbert, 9th-12th Art and Career Technical Education at Fir Ridge Campus, Portland, Ore.
Art can be a powerful tool for youth to express themselves, and Michelle Colbert employs it to help her students feel empowered and heard. When her school returned to in-person learning after the pandemic, she challenged her students to use mixed-media self-portraits to express the impact. Colbert’s industrial arts class gives students the chance to manufacture skateboards—from design and graphics to a finished, working board. She also leads the Art and AV clubs and spearheaded the first Career and Technical Education Pathways Program.
Dr. Traniece Brown-Warrens, Principal at Markham Elementary School, Portland, Ore.
Since becoming principal in 2022, Traniece Brown-Warrens’ impact on Markham can be seen and felt everywhere. She introduced “calming corners” in each classroom to help students self-regulate their emotions and introduced a “What I Need” (WIN) initiative to address individual needs. When an ice storm left her school inoperable in January 2024, Brown-Warrens quickly stepped up to ensure all her students had a classroom to go to. She worked with other schools to serve as “hosts” for her kids, crafted new bus schedules, and set up counseling to make sure every child was supported.
Five innovative school projects awarded funding in 2024
OnPoint awarded five Community Builder grants in 2024 to fund innovative school projects that inspire students, foster community, demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and reach a broad segment of the school community.
The $5,000 grand prize, selected by community votes, went to Adams Elementary School in Eugene, Ore. Built in 1949, Adams occupies one of the oldest school buildings in the city. The Adams School Mural Project, which will have its unveiling on March 1, beautifies an exterior wall of the school and gave students a chance to express themselves through a large, public art piece.
Four schools across Oregon and Southwest Washington received the $2,000 award:
- Marysville Elementary School: S.T.A.R. (Students' Temporary Assistance Resource) Pantry
- Bear Creek Elementary School: Community Garden (Bend-La Pine Schools, Bend, Ore.)
- Molalla Elementary School: Outside Learning Oasis (Molalla River School District, Molalla, Ore.)
- St. Andrew Nativity School: Thriving through Middle School (Portland, Ore.)
For information about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education, additional qualifications and contest rules, please visit onpointprize.com.
OnPoint was founded more than 90 years ago by 16 teachers. It continues to honor its roots and the dedication of educators in Oregon and SW Washington. Click here to learn more.
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About OnPoint Community Credit Union
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 594,000 members and with assets of $9.7 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.
