Educator of the Year
Meet our 2025 Educator of the Year winners!
Our esteemed Educator of the Year winners will have their rent or mortgage paid for one full year. Additionally, their schools will receive a $2,500 donation for resources and supplies. Runners up will each receive a $5,000 cash award plus an additional $1,500 to their schools for resources and supplies.
Ricardo Barber
3rd grade teacher, Faubion Elementary School, Portland Public Schools.
Rhiannon Young
6-8th grade teacher, Corbett Middle School, Corbett School District.
Sophia Aguirre
9-12th grade English Language Development teacher, Aloha High School, Beaverton School District.
Hang Jones
Social Worker, Marysville Elementary, Portland Public Schools.
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.
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
