Four Local Educators Have Mortgage Or Rent Paid For One Year Through OnPoint’s Prize For Excellence In Education (Photo) - 05/22/26
Award includes school donations to support local classrooms
PORTLAND, Ore. — OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced the four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards, who will each have their mortgage or rent paid for a year:
- K-5 Educator of the Year: Ashley Reich, 4th-grade teacher at Holt Elementary School in Eugene, Ore.
- 6-8 Educator of the Year: Mikael Benson, 6th-8th grade Math and Gardening teacher at Harrison Park Middle School in Portland, Ore.
- 9-12 Educator of the Year: Stephanie Fitzgerald, 9th-12th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101 teacher at Colton High School in Colton, Ore.
- Gold Star Educator of the Year: Kali Dalton, Counselor at Coweeman Middle School in Kelso, Wash.
OnPoint will pay the mortgage or rent for a year for each of the four Educators of the Year. They will also each receive $2,500 for their schools. The four runners-up will receive $5,000 each and $1,500 for their schools.
“Great educators do much more than teach lessons. They encourage students to believe in themselves and create meaningful connections that last far beyond the classroom,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “This year’s honorees demonstrate extraordinary dedication, compassion and leadership, and we are proud to celebrate the lasting impact they have on their students, schools and communities.”
The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education has awarded more than $1 million in prizes to more than 350 local educators and schools since 2010. The 2026 campaign will award an additional $193,000 to deserving K-12 educators and schools.
2026 Educators of the Year
The four winners of the 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards are:
K-5 Educator of the Year – Ashley Reich
4th grade, Holt Elementary School, Eugene, Ore.
Reich’s teaching philosophy is rooted in her belief that students learn best when they feel safe, valued and are genuinely excited to be in the classroom. Her 20-year teaching career has included high-needs schools, so she knows each child comes to her with different challenges and experiences. Reich ensures every one of them knows they belong and are accepted by building strong relationships with every student. She is known for celebrating each of their individual cultures, backgrounds and identities.
Reich established the Holt Student Council for 4th and 5th-graders, giving students meaningful opportunities to lead and use their voices. And she works with other Holt teachers, counselors and administrators every year to identify students who need winter coats. To date, that effort has delivered nearly 1,000 coats to students in need.
6-8 Educator of the Year – Mikael Benson
6th-8th grade Math and Gardening, Harrison Park Middle School, Portland, Ore.
Benson may be best known by his students for his intentionally quirky style. Think shorts with black socks, a math-inspired Hawaiian shirt and a dozen pens dangling from a lanyard. He leans into humor, knowing the laughter and energy it sparks help set a welcoming tone in his classroom. Benson believes that when students feel at ease, they’re more willing to take risks, challenge ideas, make mistakes and learn from them.
While his approach is playful, Benson’s commitment to his students is anything but. He works deliberately to ensure every student feels included and supported. Benson also revitalized the school’s outdoor learning garden, transforming it into a hands-on space where students explore soil science, teamwork, recycling and environmental care. In 2025, he organized a plant sale that raised more than $6,000, the highest amount the school has ever generated in a single year.
9-12 Educator of the Year – Stephanie Fitzgerald
9th-12th grade Mathematics, Leadership and Education 101, Colton High School, Colton, Ore.
In Fitzgerald’s classroom, mathematics isn’t taught as a set of procedures. It’s a way of thinking. She emphasizes problem-solving, perseverance and real-world application, helping students see math as something to actively engage with rather than simply complete. Fitzgerald’s students apply what they learn through hands-on experiences, such as making necklaces or simulating the car-buying process, giving them a deeper understanding of math’s relevance beyond the classroom.
She collaborated with another teacher to design an “Education 101” class for Colton students interested in teaching. In 2023, Fitzgerald chose to pursue a second master’s degree to expand dual-credit math opportunities for students. Since then, she has assumed responsibility for nearly every math course offered at the school while also serving as the leadership teacher, drama coach, junior class advisor and a mentor for new teachers.
Gold Star Educator of the Year – Kali Dalton
Counselor, Coweeman Middle School, Kelso, Wash.
Dalton knew she wanted to be an educator from an early age and gave a lot of thought to how she could have the greatest impact as an adult in a school environment. Today, she strives to ensure school is a safe and welcoming space for students, where they feel comfortable sharing their concerns with her and confident exploring what they want to do in life. Dalton says her role as a school counselor is to be that present, consistent adult, filled with compassion.
When Dalton saw a lack of social and emotional learning curriculum at her school, she spoke up and helped develop a scope and lessons now available to all students. She also led a team that created her school’s “Menu of Services,” started “Coffee with the Counselor” for parents and was a key leader in starting a mentorship program at her school.
2026 Educator of the Year Runners-up
OnPoint will also award a $5,000 cash prize to each of the following 2026 runners-up and make a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.
K-5 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Sam Wishart
1st Grade, City View Charter School, Hillsboro, Ore.
6-8 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Kristine Napper
6-8th Grade Social Studies, Whitford Middle School, Beaverton, Ore.
9-12 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Heidi Friesen
9-12th Grade Chemistry and Physics, Bend Senior High, Bend, Ore.
Gold Star Educator of the Year Runner-up – Yaneira Romero
Social Worker, James John Elementary, Portland, Ore.
Five Schools Receive Community Builder Awards
The 2026 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education also awarded one Oregon school $5,000 and four Oregon and southwest Washington schools $2,000 in Community Builder grants for special projects that enrich their communities:
Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 Community Builder Award
- Cedar Ridge Middle School: Kiln for Kids (Oregon Trail School District, Sandy, Ore.)
$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners
- Carus Elementary: Community Garden Space (Canby School District, Oregon City, Ore.)
- Mapleton School District: Community Makerspace Initiative (Mapleton, Ore.)
- Rex Putnam High School: Indoor Percussion Drum Replacement (North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, Ore.)
- Woodland High School: Postsecondary Exploration Field Trips (Woodland Public Schools, Woodland, Wash.)
Click here to read more about this year's Community Builder winners, which OnPoint announced on May 6, 2026.
Honoring Founders' Legacy of Excellence in Education
Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Click here to learn more.
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About OnPoint Community Credit Union
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving more than 648,000 members throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. 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 who lives, works, worships, or attends school in one of four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania), 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.
Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity.
