Winners of the 2024 OnPoint Prize standing at the announcement ceremony showing their trophies.

Educator of the Year

Nominations accepted through April 8, 2025

About the OnPoint Prize Educator of the Year Award

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education celebrates educators who embrace innovative teaching techniques that ignite enthusiasm in their students. These exceptional teachers go beyond the classroom to positively impact families and the communities they serve.

Anyone—including teachers themselves—can nominate an educator.

The Educator of the Year award is given to the teachers who best meet these criteria:

Creativity and enthusiasm

Educators who inspire creativity and enthusiasm in the classroom.

Teaching methods

Educators who demonstrate exemplary teaching methods and style.

Community impact

Individuals who have significant impact on students, parents, peers, and their community.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Educators who demonstrate diversity, equity, and inclusion inside their classroom and school.

educator of the year 2023 lionel clegg standing in first grade classroom

Who is awarded what amount?

OnPoint has always understood that investing in education is one of the best ways to build thriving communities. Through the OnPoint Prize Educator of the Year award, we recognize the following:

Educator of the Year Grades K-5

One educator representing grades K-5 will have their mortgage or rent paid for one year and receive a $2,500 donation to their school for resources and supplies.

Educator of the Year Grades 6-8

One educator representing grades 6-8 will have their mortgage or rent paid for one year and receive a $2,500 donation to their school for resources and supplies.

Educator of the Year Grades 9-12

One educator representing grades 9-12 will have their mortgage or rent paid for one year and receive a $2,500 donation to their school for resources and supplies.

Three runners-up—one from each grade category (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12)

Runners-up will each win a $5,000 cash award, plus an additional $1,500 for their schools to use on resources and supplies.

Gold Star Award

The Gold Star Award honors education professionals such as Pre-Kindergarten Teachers. Counselors. Librarians and School Administrators who go above and beyond to support students.

Gold Star Winners
One educator will hove their mortgage or rent paid for one f ull year and receive a $2,500 donation to their school for resources and supplies.

Gold Star Runners-up
One runner-up will receive a $5,000 cash award plus on additional $1,500 to their school for resources and supplies.

Who is eligible?

Any full-time or job-share classroom teacher, counselor, librarian, or school administrator for grades Pre-K-12 who is employed by an accredited public, private, or charter school in the counties OnPoint serves is eligible for the award.

Oregon

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, or Yamhill.

Washington

Clark and Skamania.

Official contest rules
teacher standing in front of kids artwork arms crossed onpoint prize 2025
OR-WA Location Map graphic

How can I nominate someone for Educator of the Year?

Please follow the four steps below to begin the Educator of the Year nomination process.

Step 1

Review the nomination guidelines

Make sure you review the nomination guidelines and contest rules before submitting your nomination.

Review nomination guidelines
Step 2

Complete the nomination checklist

The Educator of the Year nomination consists of four components. Be sure to complete all items in the nomination checklist before submitting. Partial or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

View and complete nomination checklist
Step 3

Prepare nomination, forms and attachments

Please note, attachments will be required to send after submitting the nomination form.

See sample nomination
Step 4

Submit your nomination

Please note: by clicking Submit nomination below you confirm that you have reviewed the nomination and completed the nomination checklist and are ready to submit your nomination.

Submit nomination

Note: Email should not be used to share important or sensitive information.

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