Teacher of the Year Nominations now open

The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, is looking for the next Oregon Teacher of the Year!

The Oregon Teacher of the Year serves as the face and voice of educators across the state. As a representative of the profession, this teacher leader will engage and inspire other teachers and community leaders.  Nominees for Oregon Teacher of the Year should be exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12.

• Nominations are open statewide through February 6
• All eligible teachers* who have been nominated will be invited to apply. Candidates who submit an application will then be in-the-running to be selected as a Regional Teacher of the Year from one of the 19 Education Service Districts statewide. Every Regional Teacher of the Year will be awarded $1,000 and will be celebrated across the state in September.
• One of the Regional Winners will then be chosen as the 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year by a blue ribbon panel. Thanks to ODE’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Teacher of the Year receives an award of $10,000, as well as a special fund to cover all travel costs for the year.
• The Oregon Teacher of the Year will also submit an application to be considered for the honor of National Teacher of the Year.

• Thank you for nominating an exemplary educator in your life!