OnPoint Community Credit Union announces the 2017 Prize for Excellence in Education

PORTLAND, Ore., February 10, 2017—OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced details of the 2017 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education. The eighth annual contest will award nearly $50,000 to deserving public and private K-12 teachers and their schools, including paying the mortgage of two winning teachers for one school year.

The 2017 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education will recognize one K-8 teacher and one 9-12 teacher as Educators of the Year, paying their respective mortgages for one school year and donating $2,500 to their schools. In addition, one K-8 teacher and one 9-12 teacher will be Finalists and will each receive $2,500 for themselves and $1,000 for their schools. Four schools will win $1,000 for a special project of their choice as Community Builder winners. Winners will be announced May 25, 2017.

Last year, Emily Ferguson, a 7th and 8th grade Language Arts teacher at Winterhaven School was named K-8 Educator of the Year. OnPoint paid Ferguson’s mortgage for one school year plus $2,500 for her school to be used for resources and supplies. Ferguson was recognized for the energy, creativity and passion that impacted many of her students, parents and fellow colleagues as well as adapting her curriculum to meet the varying level of needs for each student. Her impact is reflected in the many creative projects and opportunities implemented for her students such as the  Winterhaven Talent Show and the 8th grade capstone project: a rock opera – written, performed and directed entirely by her students.

Also in 2016, Doug Beardsley, Biology teacher at Reynolds High School was named 9-12 Educator of the Year. OnPoint paid Beardsley’s mortgage for one school year plus $2,500 for his school to be used for resources and supplies. Beardsley was commended for creating challenging and engaging curriculum, impacting students for years after they leave his classroom. He inspired students as Senior Class Advisor, created an Honors Biology program and developed curriculum for the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program. 100 percent of his graduated AVID students have been accepted into four-year universities.

OnPoint has education roots as a credit union founded by teachers over 80 years ago and continues to recognize that strengthening local education is one of the best ways to build thriving communities. “Each year, we find ourselves amazed and inspired by the teachers who participate in the OnPoint Prize,” said OnPoint’s President and CEO Rob Stuart. “We’re honored to recognize teachers who are dedicated to doing good work in our community and making difference in the lives of students.”

Educator of the Year nomination forms are now available at www.onpointprize.com and will be accepted until 5:30 PM on April 7, 2017. Anyone can nominate an educator, and educators may also nominate themselves. Applicants must be a full-time or job-share classroom teacher, counselor or librarian of grades K-12 in an accredited public, private or charter school located within any county that OnPoint serves (i.e. Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill counties in Oregon and Clark and Skamania counties in Washington). Please see www.onpointprize.com for additional qualifications and contest rules, or to find out more about the new Community Choice award.

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 315,000 members and with assets of $4.4 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.