Embargoed until Monday, September 18, 2023 at 11 a.m.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Carissa Martos as one of Oregon’s 17 2023-24 Regional Teachers of the Year! Martos is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and works with students who attend school in Forest Grove, Gaston and Hillsboro.
Media are invited to the surprise announcement at Northwest Regional Education Service District’s regional office in Hillsboro on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 11 a.m., when Martos will be honored at a staff meeting.
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 preK-12.
“Self-advocacy skills are incredibly important for students who are Deaf or Hard-of-hearing, since without the appropriate accommodations, these students miss instruction and social opportunities,” Martos wrote in her 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.
“Congratulations to every Regional Teacher of the Year. These impressive educators inspire possibility and promise both inside and outside the classroom,” says Dr. Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education. “It's vitally important to recognize the essential role that teachers play in their communities and to honor the many contributions they make in the lives of students all across Oregon. Earning this recognition means that an educator has built strong relationships and partnerships with students and families and empowered students to reach their fullest potential.”
Each Regional Teacher of the Year wins a $1,000 cash prize and is in the running for Oregon’s 2023-24 Oregon Teacher of the Year – to be announced in October.*
Since 1995, when the Oregon Lottery began allocating revenue to public education, more than $9 billion has been transferred to school districts across the state. This past year, nearly $11 million dollars of Oregon Lottery funding went to the Hillsboro School District, and more than $47 million dollars went to Washington County.
“Oregon Lottery is proud to celebrate the work and dedication of our Regional Teacher of the Year recipients,” said Mike Wells, interim director of Oregon Lottery. “These educators have shown exceptional leadership through their strong relationships with students and ability to uplift their communities.”
On Friday, September 22, 2023, once all 17 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 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year by visiting oregonteacheroftheyear.org.
Shortly following the event, photos from the regional surprise announcement for Martos will be available HERE.
*Thanks to the Oregon Department of Education’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the 2023-24 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.