Do you know an educator in Oregon or Southwest Washington who goes above and beyond for their students and community? What about a school in need of funding for a special project?
OnPoint Community Credit Union is celebrating 15 years of honoring outstanding local educators and schools with the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education. Nominations are open through April 9, 2024, 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 who will have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive a $2,500 donation to their school for resources and supplies. In addition to the four grand prize winners, a runner-up in each of the below categories will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.
One educator from each category below will be chosen:
- Grades K-5
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
- Gold Star: A new category introduced last year recognizing an educator who is a pre-kindergarten teacher, school counselor, substitute teacher, librarian, or school administrator.
“An educator’s impact goes far beyond the classroom, shaping the future leaders of our communities,” said OnPoint President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Stuart. “As we open nominations for this year’s OnPoint Prize, we invite the public to join us in honoring those educators who go above and beyond to inspire, create, and foster inclusivity.”
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 www.onpointcu.com/onpoint-prize/educator-of-the-year/.
The Educator of the Year award is given to the educators who best meet the following criteria:
- Creativity and enthusiasm. Educators who inspire creativity and enthusiasm in the classroom.
- Teaching methods. Educators who demonstrate exemplary teaching methods and style.
- Community impact. Individuals who have a significant impact on students, parents, peers, and their community.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Educators who demonstrate diversity, equity, and inclusion inside their classroom and school.
Community Builder Awards
The OnPoint Prize also includes the Community Builder award for innovative school projects that are enriching to the school, students, and faculty. Four schools will receive $2,000, and a fifth school selected by community votes will receive $5,000.
The winning school projects are 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, what is the plan to raise any outstanding funds needed?
- 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 www.onpointcu.com/onpoint-prize/community-builder/.
The nomination period closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 9. OnPoint will announce Community Builder winners on May 8 and Educator of the Year winners on May 23. Information about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education and how to submit a nomination is now available at www.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 in an 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 www.onpointprize.com.
