Cam Scott Named Wallowa County Regional Teacher Of The Year And State Finalist -- Embargoed Until Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1 P.m. (Photo) - 09/23/26
Embargoed until Thursday, September 24, 2026, 1 p.m.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Cam Scott as one of Oregon’s 17 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year and one of four State Finalists! Scott teaches at Joseph Charter School in Joseph.
Media members are invited to the surprise announcement at Joseph Charter School Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 1 p.m., when Scott will be honored in an 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.
Scott was nominated by Joseph Charter Principal Jason Gorham who noted, “He is a compassionate teacher who develops relationships and works hard everyday to reach each and every one of his students in their own unique way. Students absolutely love Cam, and even those that think they don't like literature or writing find themselves producing top quality writing and work samples. He is one of the best teachers I have seen at holding a high standard and providing the tools to allow students to access and reach his standard of excellence.”
“My classroom is a space where students encounter rigor, self-discovery, and voice, and where I get to witness their continual development as thinkers, readers, and human beings,” Cam explained in his application. “What defines me as a teacher is not a single lesson or book, but the daily practice of asking questions, fostering reading habits, and guiding students through skill-building and self-expression.”
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 $500,000 of Oregon Lottery funding went to Wallowa 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 Scott 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.
