Who will be the 2009-10 Oregon Teacher of the Year?

For immediate release
contact Regina McLoud, (503) 947-5803

February 10, 2009

Who will be the 2009-10 Oregon Teacher of the Year?

Nominations close on May 1st

SALEM – The Oregon Department of Education is now accepting nominations for the 2009-10 Oregon Teacher of the Year. Anyone may nominate a candidate for the Oregon Teacher of the Year. However, a candidate cannot nominate him/herself. To nominate a teacher, go to the ODE website and fill out the “Talent Pool Recommendation” form at www.ode.state.or.us/go/TOY. At the end of the talent pool recommendation, click the box to nominate the individual for the Oregon Teacher of the Year.

“The Oregon Teacher of the Year award honors a representative of all the great teachers in Oregon,” Castillo said. “Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year should be exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled educators. They should inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn. They should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues. Candidates should play an active role in the community as well as in school, and they should be poised and articulate representatives of all Oregon classroom teachers.”

A Blue Ribbon Panel consisting of Legislators, former Teachers of the Year, business leaders, and key education organization leaders will select the finalists. The finalists will be interviewed by representatives of the State Superintendent’s office. State Superintendent Susan Castillo will select the Oregon Teacher of the Year. The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2009. The 2009-10 Oregon Teacher of the Year will be announced at the beginning of October.

Superintendent Castillo is especially proud that the Oregon Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by Intel Corporation, the state’s largest private employer and a consistent supporter of education programs, particularly in math and science. Intel provides generous support to Oregon's Michael Geisen, the 2008 National Teacher of the Year, by covering his salary and providing him with a laptop computer and Blackberry during the 2008-09 school year, allowing him to fulfill his national and international duties.

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Susan Castillo, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Gene Evans, Communications Director, Telephone (503) 947-5737
http://www.ode.state.or.us

Oregon Department of Education News Releases contain information that was originally released to the press as an official release. Refer to each News Release for the details.