OnPoint Community Credit Union Reveals Its 2021 Prize for Excellence in Education Community Builder Winners and Educator of the Year Finalists

Press Release

PORTLAND, Ore., May 11, 2021 — As the 12th annual OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education continues, OnPoint Community Credit Union today announced the five schools that have won this year’s Community Builder awards, providing up to $5,000 for each school’s special projects that enrich their communities. OnPoint also announced today the six teachers who are finalists for the Educator of the Year awards. Three winners (one K-5, one 6-8 and one 9-12) will be announced from May 24 to 26, 2021, starting with K-5. They will have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive $2,500 for each of their schools. The remaining three finalists (one K-5, one 6-8 and one 9-12) will each receive $5,000 for themselves and $1,500 for their schools.

“Since the pandemic began, teachers and students have navigated unparalleled circumstances and worked hard to discover creative new ways to engage and teach students,” said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “In reviewing nominations, we discovered all the innovative and inspiring ways educators have come together to support each other and engage students.”

OnPoint’s annual education awards ceremony began in 2010 and celebrates local educators and schools that creatively engage students, inspire innovation in the classroom, and impact the lives of students and families. In its 11-year history, the contest has awarded more than $470,000 in prizes to 285 local educators and schools. The 2021 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education will award up to an additional $100,000 to deserving public and private K-12 teachers and schools.

Details on each of the 2021 Community Builder award winners and Educator of the Year finalists are listed below:

Community Builder Awards

OnPoint has recognized five schools from across the region with its Community Builder awards. Four schools will receive $2,000 from OnPoint for a special project of their choice, and one school determined by online community votes will receive $5,000.

$5,000 Community Builder Award Winner
Holy Family Catholic School’s Celebration of International Diversity (Archdiocese of Portland, Portland, Ore.) was selected by community votes to receive this year’s $5,000 Community Builder award. The initiative, led by the school’s Racial Equity Committee, supports faculty, students, families and the greater parish in exploring prejudices, racial diversity and solutions that will foster an equitable and just community. Specifically, Holy Family Catholic School will use the grant to engage guest speakers from different cultures, provide books for the social justice book club, purchase food for cooking classes and provide art supplies.

$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners

  • Awbrey Park Elementary School’s Conscious Discipline Program (Eugene School District, Eugene, Ore.), which supports teachers’ and students’ social and emotional needs in the classroom with an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach.
  • Cheldelin Middle School’s Fire and Food Courtyard Project (Corvallis School District, Corvallis, Ore.), which creates unique learning experiences for students over a wood-fired kiln.
  • Lyle Elementary School’s Recess for All (Dallas School District 2, Dallas, Ore.), which will redesign its recess so all students can engage in activities that will benefit their physical and mental health and prepare them to return to the classroom ready to learn.
  • Vern Patrick Elementary School’s StoryWalk® (Redmond School District 2J, Redmond, Ore.), which will build a permanent installation along the school’s track for the school and community to enjoy.

Educator of the Year Finalists

In addition to announcing its Community Builder Award winners, OnPoint also revealed its six finalists for 2021 Educator of the Year.

K-5 Finalists

  • Lionel Clegg – 1st grade, Woodlawn Elementary School, Portland Public Schools, Portland, Ore.
  • Aarti Kamalahasan – Kindergarten, Sato Elementary School, Beaverton School District, Beaverton, Ore.

6-8 Finalists

  • Beckie Plaza – 6-8th grade science, Lake Oswego Junior High School, Lake Oswego School District, Lake Oswego, Ore.
  • Travis Rooke-Ley – 8th grade math, Whitford Middle School, Beaverton School District, Beaverton, Ore.

9-12 Finalists

  • Addie Lyden – 9-12th grade history, law and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher, Southridge High School, Beaverton School District, Beaverton, Ore.
  • Desmond Spann – 9-10th grade English, Franklin High School, Portland Public School District, Portland, Ore.

Click here to learn more about OnPoint’s finalists for 2021 Educator of the Year.

“The incredible schools and teachers recognized today have raised the bar for excellence in education, inside and outside the classroom,” continued Stuart. “OnPoint thanks the finalists and winners, their fellow nominees and the rest of our education community for the enduring impact they have on children and families across Oregon and Southwest Washington.”

Honoring Founders’ Legacy of Excellence in Education

OnPoint was founded in 1932 by 16 schoolteachers. In addition to its annual Prize for Excellence in Education campaign, OnPoint continues its founders’ mission in many other ways. Click here to learn more.

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 437,000 members and with assets of $8.3 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. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

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