Nominations are Open: Who will be Oregon`s Next Teacher of the Year?

State Superintendent Susan Castillo will select the next Oregon Teacher of the Year.

State Superintendant Susan Castillo encourages recomendations for Oregon Teacher of the Year Photo By: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Education is accepting nominations from across the state for the 2006-07 Oregon Teacher of the Year.

`The Oregon Teacher of the Year award honors a representative of all the great teachers in Oregon," said State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo. `Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year should be exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled. 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" Castillo said.

Every year, each of the 50 states names a teacher of the year. In Oregon, 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" at www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=228.

At the end of the talent pool recommendation, click the box to nominate the individual for the Oregon Teacher of the Year.

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.

The deadline for nominations is August 15th.

The 2006-07 Oregon Teacher of the Year will be announced at the end of September.

Oregon began the state`s teacher of the year program in 1955, and the current Oregon Teacher of the Year is Allan Bruner of Colton High School.