OnPoint Community Credit Union is asking parents, students, and community members to nominate outstanding educators and schools for the 16th annual OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education. The award recognizes educators in Oregon and Southwest Washington who go above and beyond for their students and communities.
OnPoint will donate $193,000 to selected winners this year. Nominations are open through April 8, 2025, for two award categories: Educator of the Year and Community Builder.
Educator of the Year
The Educator of the Year award is given to four educators — one in each of four categories. OnPoint will pay their mortgage or rent for one full year and donate $2,500 to their school for resources and supplies. A runner-up in each category will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to their schools.
The categories are:
- Grades K-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
- Gold Star: A new category introduced in 2023 recognizes an educator who is a pre-kindergarten teacher, school counselor, substitute teacher, librarian, or school administrator.
“This is a special year for OnPoint Prize as we honor our 16 founders – all educators who created a teacher’s credit union back in 1932,” said Rob Stuart, president/CEO of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We want parents, students, and the community involved in the nomination process for this award because we know they see and feel first-hand the impact of outstanding educators. These individuals are shaping the next generation of leaders and deserve to be rewarded for their incredible work.”
Past winners have been recognized for their work launching tutoring programs, developing innovative teaching methods to boost student engagement, and starting an award ceremony to honor students. Anyone can nominate an outstanding educator by visiting OnPoint Prize Educator of the Year..
Community Builder Awards
OnPoint Prize includes the Community Builder award for innovative school projects that are enriching to the school, students, and faculty. Four schools will receive $2,000 with a fifth receiving $5,000 voted on by their community.
The winning school projects will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Creative and community. Will the project inspire creativity and foster community?
- Broad segment. Will the project reach a broad segment of the school community?
- Matching cost. Can the project be completed with the $2,000 or $5,000 Community Builder award, and if not, how will the outstanding funds be raised?
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion. How does this project incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion?
Applications for the 2024 Community Builder awards must be submitted by a representative of the school staff, faculty, or parent group, with the approval of the school’s administrator/principal. Anyone can nominate a special school project at OnPoint Prize Community Builder.
The nomination period closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 8. OnPoint will announce Community Builder winners on May 7, and Educator of the Year winners on May 23.
More details about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education are available at onpointprize.com. Educator of the Year nominees must be a full-time or job-share classroom teacher, counselor, school administrator, or librarian for grades Pre-K-12. They can work in any accredited public, private, or charter school located within any county that OnPoint serves. OnPoint accepts applications for the Community Builders awards within those same counties. For information about the campaign, additional qualifications, and contest rules, please visit onpointprize.com.
