IMESD is very pleased to announce our 23-24 Regional Teacher of the Year is Jeannie Collins! She is a Language Arts Teacher at Heppner Jr/Sr High School in the Morrow County School District.
Collins was surprised during a staff in-service event at her school on the morning of Friday, September 22nd. Judging from her smile and tears of happiness, it was evident that Collins was honored to be celebrated. While holding the oversized $1,000 check in her name, Collins said that Heppner Jr/Sr High's name should also be on the check. "I would never be up here receiving this without all of the people I work with every day. At our school, we are a village, no, we are a family and the support of my colleagues, school district and community are so important to my success in teaching,” Collins said.
Collins has been teaching since 2000 and completed her student teaching at the same school she teachers at now. Her family, including her mother, husband, two sons and daughter-in-law, were there for the surprise announcement.
The Regional Teacher of the Year program is organized by the Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. Regional winners were identified through a local nomination, application and selection process facilitated by the state’s Education Service Districts (ESDs). 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.
Each Regional Teacher of the Year receives a $1,000 award from the Oregon Lottery and is automatically considered for the honor of 2023-24 Oregon Teacher of the Year, which will be announced later this fall.
“Congratulations to every Regional Teacher of the Year. These impressive educators inspire possibility and promise both inside and outside the classroom,” stated Dr. Charlene Williams, interim director of the Oregon Department of Education. “It's vitally important to recognize the essential role that teachers play in their communities and to honor the many contributions they make in the lives of students all across Oregon."
The 17 Regional Teacher of the Year winners have been recognized across the state this past week.
Representatives from the Oregon Lottery celebrate Jeannie Collins as the InterMountain Regional Teacher of the Year.
Winner Jeannie Collins with her family.
Winner Jeannie Collins (left) with Ryan Gerry, Principal of Heppner Jr/Sr High School.