Parkrose Teacher Awarded As A 2022 Oregon Teacher Of The Year Finalist (Photo) - 11/02/21

Kerryn Henderson Awarded as a 2022 Oregon Teacher of the Year Finalist
(Portland, OR) - The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, is pleased to celebrate Parkrose High School teacher Kerryn Henderson as a 2022 Teacher of the Year Finalist, and award both Kerryn and her school with a $2,000 cash prize!
Henderson was selected as one of four finalists for 2022 Oregon Teacher of the Year, which was announced in September.
Henderson has been teaching at Parkrose High School for 11 of her 15 total years of teaching. Henderson teaches Advanced Placement Biology and Advanced Via Individual Determination (AVID), a support program to prepare students for college eligibility and success, in addition to serving as an Instructional Coach and one of two AVID Site Coordinators. In May, Henderson received recognition as Multnomah ESD’s 2022 Regional Teacher of the Year, taking home a $500 cash prize.
"Ms. Henderson holds high standards for both her students and herself,” said Parkrose High School Principal Molly Ouche. “The results of these high expectations are visible in her instructional strategies, her lessons and the academic success her students consistently experience. Additionally, she is committed to equity and designs instruction through a social justice lens, providing opportunities for students to share their own experiences, access prior knowledge, and see themselves as scientists."
In her application, Henderson stresses the need for structuring classes to serve all students and representing the diversity within each school. “I’m committed to creating equity by making content relevant, providing the support needed for all students to succeed, and cultivating independent learners,” she noted. “Research shows students are more successful when they have role models representing their unique identities. By creating opportunities for students to interact with members of their community, I help facilitate connections between students and mentors with similar backgrounds.”
“I firmly believe it is my job to prepare students for the real world. Students are engaged in activities that require critical thinking, decision-making, and perspective taking. Learning in AP Biology focuses not on memorizing facts and details, but rather on building transferable skills.”