Embargoed until Friday, September 13, 2024 at 1 p.m.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Kellen Akiyama as one of Oregon’s 18 2024-25 Regional Teachers of the Year! Akiyama teaches English Language Arts, and African American Studies at Gladiola High School in Grants Pass.
Media are invited to the surprise announcement at Gladiola High School on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 1 p.m., when Akiyama will be honored in the classroom with students.
Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12.
“Kellen has been an exceptional advocate for his community, especially the youth of color,” stated by a peer in his nomination. “He incorporates arts and music, such as hip hop and poem, to his social studies curriculum so students can relate to their learning better and explore different ways to show their understanding through various mediums.”
Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. Regional winners were identified through a local nomination, application and selection process facilitated by the 19 Education Service Districts around the state. Applicants submitted testimonials and letters of support and were assessed by a diverse panel of regional representatives on the attributes of leadership, instructional expertise, commitment to equity, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, vision and professional development.
“Now more than ever, we need powerful educators like these,” said Director of the Oregon Department of Education Dr. Charlene Williams. “Each Regional Teacher of the Year has earned this recognition because they champion every student, uplifting and empowering them to achieve, to create, and to feel a sense of belonging not only in the classroom, but in the wider world, as well. Students and families in Oregon are fortunate to have teachers like these whose inspiring contributions create lasting impacts that ripple out into their communities and beyond.”
Each Regional Teacher of the Year wins a $1,000 cash prize and is in the running for Oregon’s 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year – to be announced in October.*
Since 1995, when the Oregon Lottery began allocating revenue to public education, more than $10 billion has been transferred to school districts across the state. This past year, over $3 million of Oregon Lottery funding went to the Grants Pass School District and more than $6 million went to Josephine County.
“These exceptional teachers inspire and encourage students every day in classrooms across Oregon,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We are proud to honor their contributions and vital role in making our communities stronger.”
On Friday, September 20, 2024, once all 18 Regional Teachers of the Year are announced, the full list of statewide winners will be available on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website.
Do you know an outstanding teacher? Please nominate them as the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year by visiting oregonteacheroftheyear.org.
Shortly following the event, photos from the regional surprise announcement for Akiyama will be available HERE.
*Thanks to the ODE's partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year will receive a $10,000 cash prize (with an additional $5,000 going to their school) and serves as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers.
Embargoed until Friday, September 13, 2024 at 10 a.m.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce David Clauson as one of Oregon’s 18 2024-25 Regional Teachers of the Year! Clauson teaches at McMinnville High School’s Engineering and Aerospace Sciences Academy.
Media are invited to the surprise announcement at McMinnville High School’s gymnasium on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 10 a.m., when Clauson will be honored at a brief school assembly.
Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12.
“Our student population is racially and socio-economically diverse and my students are uniquely focused on preparing for lives that will require consideration collaboration with others. I invest in building relationships with each of them, gleaning a better understanding of what brought them to my classroom,” Clauson wrote in his application.
Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. Regional winners were identified through a local nomination, application and selection process facilitated by the 19 Education Service Districts around the state. Applicants submitted testimonials and letters of support and were assessed by a diverse panel of regional representatives on the attributes of leadership, instructional expertise, commitment to equity, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, vision and professional development.
“Now more than ever, we need powerful educators like these,” said Director of the Oregon Department of Education Dr. Charlene Williams. “Each Regional Teacher of the Year has earned this recognition because they champion every student, uplifting and empowering them to achieve, to create, and to feel a sense of belonging not only in the classroom, but in the wider world, as well. Students and families in Oregon are fortunate to have teachers like these whose inspiring contributions create lasting impacts that ripple out into their communities and beyond.”
Each Regional Teacher of the Year wins a $1,000 cash prize and is in the running for Oregon’s 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year – to be announced in October.*
Since 1995, when the Oregon Lottery began allocating revenue to public education, more than $10 billion has been transferred to school districts across the state. This past year, over $3.5 million of Oregon Lottery funding went to the McMinnville School District, and more than $10 million went to Yamhill County.
“These exceptional teachers inspire and encourage students every day in classrooms across Oregon,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We are proud to honor their contributions and vital role in making our communities stronger.”
On Friday, September 20, 2024, once all 18 Regional Teachers of the Year are announced, the full list of statewide winners will be available on the Oregon Teacher of the Year website.
Do you know an outstanding teacher? Please nominate them as the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year by visiting oregonteacheroftheyear.org.
Shortly following the event, photos from the regional surprise announcement for Clauson will be available HERE.
*Thanks to the ODE's partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year will receive a $10,000 cash prize (with an additional $5,000 going to their school) and serves as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers.
Salem, Ore. – As the season turns darker, Oregon Lottery’s new Oregon Monsters Scratch-it will soon be creeping into stores. The $5 ticket features the scruffy Sasquatch and the lesser-known Colossal Claude, the Columbia River’s counterpart to Nellie of Loch Ness. Check out the back of each ticket and you’ll find a brief description of the local lore associated with each monster.
“Oregon's rich history and folklore are steeped in tales about these mysterious creatures,” said Shad Barnes, Oregon Lottery’s senior manager of digital marketing. “We enjoy creating tickets that offer unique, homegrown stories and chose to highlight these five legends based on their notoriety and geography.”
The tickets were collaboratively designed by Oregon Lottery staff and feature a top prize of $30,000. These tickets replace the popular State Parks themed Scratch-its.
“Oregon themed games always resonate with our players and typically sell out quickly,” said Tina Erickson, Oregon Lottery’s product manager. “Oregon Monsters is already showing strong sales in its first week.”
Local stories featured on the ticket include the Wallowa Lake Monster, Dogman, who is known to live in Oregon’s woodlands, and the Devil’s Lake Monster near Lincoln City.
The Oregon Lottery recommends that you sign the back of your ticket to ensure you can claim any prize. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Players have a year to claim their prize.
Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $15.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery, visit www.oregonlottery.org.