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Nels Swenson Named North Central Regional Teacher Of The Year -- Embargoed Until Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:30 A.m. (Photo) - 09/24/26

Embargoed until Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:30 a.m.

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Nels Swenson as one of Oregon’s 17 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year! Swenson teaches CTE/Agriculture at Sherman County School in Moro.  

 

Media members are invited to the surprise announcement at Sherman County School, on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:30 a.m., when Swenson 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.

 

Swenson was nominated by a colleague who said, “[Swenson] is a selfless teacher who spends countless hours working to help his students feel more confident and prepared for their futures.” They added, “He fully embodies the philosophy that there is always room to improve and is very open minded and encouraging to all he meets.” 

 

In his nomination, Swenson noted, “Learning happens best when it is organic, captivating and inquiry based.” He further explained, “Knowing the students in the class, their backgrounds, experiences and interests, I tailor lessons to the individual to best make the lesson suitable to them.” 

 

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 $150,000 of Oregon Lottery funding went to Sherman 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 Swenson 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: Nels Swenson of Sherman County School in Moro is one of Oregon's Regional Teachers of the Year., Oregon Teacher of the Year logo,

Nels Swenson Named North Central Regional Teacher Of The Year -- Embargoed Until Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:30 A.m. (Photo) - 09/24/26

Embargoed until Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:30 a.m.

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, will announce Nels Swenson as one of Oregon’s 17 2026-27 Regional Teachers of the Year! Swenson teaches CTE/Agriculture at Sherman County School in Moro.  

 

Media members are invited to the surprise announcement at Sherman County School, on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:30 a.m., when Swenson 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.

 

Swenson was nominated by a colleague who said, “[Swenson] is a selfless teacher who spends countless hours working to help his students feel more confident and prepared for their futures.” They added, “He fully embodies the philosophy that there is always room to improve and is very open minded and encouraging to all he meets.” 

 

In his nomination, Swenson noted, “Learning happens best when it is organic, captivating and inquiry based.” He further explained, “Knowing the students in the class, their backgrounds, experiences and interests, I tailor lessons to the individual to best make the lesson suitable to them.” 

 

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 $150,000 of Oregon Lottery funding went to Sherman 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 Swenson 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: Nels Swenson of Sherman County School in Moro is one of Oregon's Regional Teachers of the Year., Oregon Teacher of the Year logo,