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News Release

Jennifer Mills Named NW Regional Teacher Of The Year -- Embargoed Until Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:10 A.m. (Photo) - 09/21/26

Embargoed until Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:10 a.m.

(Note: Previous version had typo on celebration day.)

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Jennifer Mills as one of Oregon’s 17 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year! Mills teaches special education at Tualatin High School.  

 

Media members are invited to the surprise announcement at Tualatin High School, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 9:10 a.m., when Mills will be honored with a classroom celebration. 

 

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. 

 

“Students are empowered, taught to self-advocate, be independent, confident, safe, for now and the future,” notes a colleague who nominated Mills. “I've worked in the Tigard-Tualatin School District for 20-plus years and have worked with many warm-hearted, well-meaning specialists, but no one compares with Mills' approach to inclusion and neurodivergent students.” 

 

In her nomination Mills states, “As a high school functional skills special education teacher, I have a huge passion for genuine inclusion and creating opportunities for students with disabilities.” She further declares, “To touch one life is one of the greatest gifts as a teacher, but having an impact of this magnitude that grows exponentially with more students every year is an unmatched feeling of gratitude, pride and hope for the future of our world.” 

 

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. 

 

“We are so proud of this year’s Regional Teachers of the Year who consistently demonstrate hard work, build strong relationships, empower their students, and create classroom environments that lead to student success,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “As mentors, advocates, and community leaders, they show us all that the best is on display in schools large and small, rural and urban, from the first years of schooling to the final preparations for a student’s next steps beyond high school. We thank them for their inspiration and can’t wait to see what they do next.”

 

Thanks to a partnership with Oregon Lottery, each Regional Teacher of the Year will receive a $1,000 award and is considered a semi-finalist for the 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year, which will be announced later this fall. 

 

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, nearly $6 million of Oregon Lottery funding went to the Tigard-Tualatin School District, and over $45 million went to Washington County. 

 

“These are exceptional educators who inspire students daily across Oregon,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We are honored to celebrate their dedication and the lasting impact they have on our students and families.”  

 

On Friday, September 25, 2026, 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 2027-28 Oregon Teacher of the Year by visiting oregonteacheroftheyear.org. 

 

Shortly following the event, photos from the regional surprise announcement for Mills will be available HERE.  

 

*Thanks to ODE’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the 2026-27 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. 

Attached Media Files: Oregon Teacher of the Year logo, Jennifer Mills of Tualatin High School is one of Oregon’s 17 Regional Teachers of the Year.,

Jennifer Mills Named NW Regional Teacher Of The Year -- Embargoed Until Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:10 A.m. (Photo) - 09/21/26

Embargoed until Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:10 a.m.

(Note: Previous version had typo on celebration day.)

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Jennifer Mills as one of Oregon’s 17 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year! Mills teaches special education at Tualatin High School.  

 

Media members are invited to the surprise announcement at Tualatin High School, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 9:10 a.m., when Mills will be honored with a classroom celebration. 

 

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. 

 

“Students are empowered, taught to self-advocate, be independent, confident, safe, for now and the future,” notes a colleague who nominated Mills. “I've worked in the Tigard-Tualatin School District for 20-plus years and have worked with many warm-hearted, well-meaning specialists, but no one compares with Mills' approach to inclusion and neurodivergent students.” 

 

In her nomination Mills states, “As a high school functional skills special education teacher, I have a huge passion for genuine inclusion and creating opportunities for students with disabilities.” She further declares, “To touch one life is one of the greatest gifts as a teacher, but having an impact of this magnitude that grows exponentially with more students every year is an unmatched feeling of gratitude, pride and hope for the future of our world.” 

 

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. 

 

“We are so proud of this year’s Regional Teachers of the Year who consistently demonstrate hard work, build strong relationships, empower their students, and create classroom environments that lead to student success,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “As mentors, advocates, and community leaders, they show us all that the best is on display in schools large and small, rural and urban, from the first years of schooling to the final preparations for a student’s next steps beyond high school. We thank them for their inspiration and can’t wait to see what they do next.”

 

Thanks to a partnership with Oregon Lottery, each Regional Teacher of the Year will receive a $1,000 award and is considered a semi-finalist for the 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year, which will be announced later this fall. 

 

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, nearly $6 million of Oregon Lottery funding went to the Tigard-Tualatin School District, and over $45 million went to Washington County. 

 

“These are exceptional educators who inspire students daily across Oregon,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We are honored to celebrate their dedication and the lasting impact they have on our students and families.”  

 

On Friday, September 25, 2026, 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 2027-28 Oregon Teacher of the Year by visiting oregonteacheroftheyear.org. 

 

Shortly following the event, photos from the regional surprise announcement for Mills will be available HERE.  

 

*Thanks to ODE’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the 2026-27 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. 

Attached Media Files: Oregon Teacher of the Year logo, Jennifer Mills of Tualatin High School is one of Oregon’s 17 Regional Teachers of the Year.,