Four outstanding educators from Oregon have been honored for the transformative impact they make in their school communities every day. As recipients of the 2025 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education, each will have their mortgage or rent paid for one year—an award that celebrates their commitment to equity, connection, and student success both inside and beyond the classroom.
The four winners of the 2025 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards are:
K-5 Educator of the Year – Ricardo Barber
3rd grade, Faubion Elementary School, Portland
Ricardo Barber has created a classroom culture built on confidence and care, where third graders see themselves as strong, capable, and ready to grow. His class consistently exceeds district averages in reading and math. He leads with rigor, real-time feedback, and a belief that every child can achieve.
Ricardo centers community and connection in everything he does. He starts each day with a class circle, uses culturally responsive teaching to reflect students’ identities, and keeps families engaged with constant communication and praise. When a child makes progress, he calls home to celebrate. When others need support, he adapts instruction to meet them where they are. He and his family also regularly host student dinners to build trust beyond the classroom.
Beyond the school day, Ricardo runs the One H.O.P.E Summer School, a free enrichment program that blends academics, meals, and local field trips. As a teacher and a pastor, he brings his whole heart to his work, lifting up every child with purpose, pride, and love.
6-8 Educator of the Year – Rhiannon Young
6th-8th grade, Corbett Middle School, Corbett
For more than two decades, Rhiannon Young has shaped Corbett’s middle-level program into a model of hands-on, inclusive, real-world learning. Her students have traced volcanic flows at Mt. St. Helens, walked the streets of Europe during study-abroad trips, and examined history through the lens of both migrant and Indigenous stories.
She runs multi-cultural book clubs to explore identity and representation in student-chosen novels. Her social studies units highlight multiple perspectives from marginalized groups throughout history, such as the post-Revolutionary War and Reconstruction in America.
Rhiannon also helps lead continuous improvement across Corbett and beyond. She serves on the site council and district bargaining team, leads K–12 curriculum alignment, mentors new teachers, and oversees academic intervention services. She also partners with the Multnomah Education Service District to align social studies standards, secure grants for arts and science materials, and advocate for equity in every corner of the student experience.
9-12 Educator of the Year – Sophia Aguirre
9th-12th grade English Language Development, Aloha High School, Beaverton
In Room E20 at Aloha High School, you’ll find more than a classroom — you’ll find a vibrant community stitched together by language, culture, and belonging. Student art and poetry speak in many languages, and every visitor is greeted with warmth and intention.
This is the world Sophia Aguirre has created for her English Language Development students: a sanctuary where new arrivals to the U.S. not only learn English but rediscover their confidence, creativity, and voice.
Sophia leads with innovation and heart in and beyond the classroom. She launched school-wide cultural projects like the annual Cultural Fashion Show, raised funds for classroom resources and field trips, and led professional development that puts staff in the shoes of English learners. Sophia is currently completing her M.S. in Education in Reading and Literacy, shaping the future not just for her students but also for how schools serve multilingual learners.
Gold Star Educator of the Year – Hang Jones
Social Worker, Marysville Elementary School, Portland
As a bilingual Vietnamese school social worker and immigrant who once dropped out of high school herself, Hang has unique insight into the challenges Marysville students face. She understands language barriers, the isolation of being new, and the fear of not belonging, because she’s been there.
Hang’s work has redefined what support looks like in a school setting. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership in improving student attendance at Marysville, achieving a 5% increase, the highest gain in the district over the past five years. Her creative programs—like classroom “Attendance” coloring challenges, donut parties, and student job assignments—give students a reason to show up and a sense of pride when they do.
Hang’s impact stretches far beyond school walls. She’s personally delivered food boxes, arranged medical appointments and interpreters for families, and fought for equitable bus routes for those without transportation. She leads Marysville’s Lunar New Year celebrations and Vietnamese affinity groups, ensuring every student sees their culture reflected with pride. Hang is not just a resource for the Marysville community, she’s a lifeline.
Honoring more educators who make a difference
In addition to the four Educators of the Year, this year’s runners-up were also recognized for the powerful impact they make each day:
- K-5 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Lisa Lewis – K-1st Grade, West Powellhurst Elementary, Portland, Oregon
- 6-8 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Britta Hobbs – 6-8th Grade Music/Choir, Covington Middle School, Vancouver, Washington
- 9-12 Educator of the Year Runner-up – Katie Ryan – 9-12th Grade Science, Academy of Arts & Academics, Springfield, Oregon
- Gold Star Educator of the Year Runner-up – RJ Tagorda – Principal, Holy Cross Catholic School, Portland, Oregon
Each runner-up received a $5,000 cash prize and $1,500 for their school to support classroom and student needs.
Five Schools Receive Community Builder Awards
Additionally, the 2025 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education also awarded one Oregon school $5,000 and four Oregon and SW Washington schools $2,000 in Community Builder grants for special projects that enrich their communities. Click here to read about this year’s winners, which OnPoint announced on May 7, 2025.
Honoring Founders’ Legacy of Excellence in Education
Since 2010, the OnPoint Prize has recognized hundreds of educators across Oregon and Southwest Washington. But more than just awards, it is a celebration of the people who show up for their students and communities in ways that last long after the school day ends.
Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Click here to learn more.
