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Andrea Whitson Named Malheur Regional Teacher Of The Year -- Embargoed Until Tuesday, September 22 2026, 10 A.m. (Photo) - 09/21/26

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

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Andrea Whitson as one of Oregon’s 17 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year! Whitson teaches at Juntura Elementary in Juntura.  

 

Media members are invited to the surprise announcement at Juntura Elementary School on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 10 a.m., when Whitson will be honored in all-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. 

 

Whitson was nominated by a colleague who noted, “Whitson is a scientist and engineer who brings real-world STEM experience directly into her teaching. Her instruction is hands-on, practical, and rooted in how science and engineering actually work outside of a textbook. She designs learning around problem-solving, systems thinking, and applied math and science, often using project-based and inquiry-driven approaches.” 

 

In her nomination Whitson explains, “Real equity in school begins with understanding the needs of a student outside of assessments and never assuming that the system is working. The system is us. We have to actively be just in order for it to serve our students with the access to education they justly deserve.” 

 

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, over $3.5 million of Oregon Lottery funding went to Malheur 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 Whitson 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: Andrea Whitson of Juntura Elementary is one of Oregon's Regional Teachers of the Year., Oregon Teacher of the Year logo,

Andrea Whitson Named Malheur Regional Teacher Of The Year -- Embargoed Until Tuesday, September 22 2026, 10 A.m. (Photo) - 09/21/26

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

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Andrea Whitson as one of Oregon’s 17 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year! Whitson teaches at Juntura Elementary in Juntura.  

 

Media members are invited to the surprise announcement at Juntura Elementary School on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 10 a.m., when Whitson will be honored in all-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. 

 

Whitson was nominated by a colleague who noted, “Whitson is a scientist and engineer who brings real-world STEM experience directly into her teaching. Her instruction is hands-on, practical, and rooted in how science and engineering actually work outside of a textbook. She designs learning around problem-solving, systems thinking, and applied math and science, often using project-based and inquiry-driven approaches.” 

 

In her nomination Whitson explains, “Real equity in school begins with understanding the needs of a student outside of assessments and never assuming that the system is working. The system is us. We have to actively be just in order for it to serve our students with the access to education they justly deserve.” 

 

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, over $3.5 million of Oregon Lottery funding went to Malheur 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 Whitson 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: Andrea Whitson of Juntura Elementary is one of Oregon's Regional Teachers of the Year., Oregon Teacher of the Year logo,