Regional Teacher of the Year
Each year, Clackamas ESD selects our region's Teacher of the Year from community-nominated outstanding teachers across Clackamas County.
Nominate an Inspiring Teacher
Nominate an outstanding educator for 2025-26 Teacher of the Year! Nominating a teacher for this recognition is a quick and easy way to say a sincere "thank you" for exceptional performance serving students in our schools. Anyone can make a nomination — a student, colleague, parent or community member. Help us recognize the most dedicated and skilled educators in Clackamas County, and nominate a deserving teacher for 2025-26 recognition!
Regional Teacher of the Year winners
- 2025: Robert Parker of North Clackamas School District
- 2024: Mandy Vance of Boring Middle School
- Mandy also was named 2023-24 Oregon Teacher of the Year! For the second time in three years, Oregon’s Teacher of the Year hails from Clackamas County.
- 2023: Ron Antlitz of Alder Creek Middle School
- 2022: Ethelyn Tumalad of Clackamas High School
- 2021: Kate Fisher Hedeen of Oregon City High School
- 2020: Alissa Tran of Molalla High School
About Oregon Teacher of the Year
Every year, each of the 50 states, U.S. territories, DC, and the Department of Defense Education Activity names a teacher of the year. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across the state. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled licensed public school educators in grades preK-12. Thanks to the Oregon Department of Education’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Teacher of the Year receives a gift of $5,000 as well as a special fund to cover all travel costs for the year.
Program Contacts
Regional Teacher of the Year News
North Clackamas School District architecture and design educator Robert Parker named 2024-25 Regional Teacher of the Year
Robert Parker, a licensed and practicing architect who took a non-traditional path to teaching, was named 2024-25 Regional Teacher of the Year for Clackamas County in a surprise celebration at the Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center in Milwaukie Sept. 20. To the excitement of his students and colleagues, Parker was interrupted [...]
Oregon Teacher of the Year Mandy Vance: Reflecting on a “life-changing” year
When Mandy Vance walked into the Boring Middle School gymnasium on a sunny day last June, she thought she was making a quick detour with a colleague who needed something from her classroom. Instead, it was just the first celebrated stop on a year-long journey that this seasoned science, [...]
Nominate an outstanding educator for Teacher of the Year!
We have a proud tradition in Clackamas County of honoring outstanding educators through the Oregon Teacher of the Year program. For the past two years, we've led the state in nominations, and two of our last three regional honorees have gone on to win the state award — including 2023-24 [...]
