Elizabeth Lawson and Susan Bartley will each have their mortgages paid for one school year.
PORTLAND, OR (May 22, 2014) -- OnPoint Community Credit Union today announced that Elizabeth Lawson was named K-8 Educator of the Year and Susan Bartley was named 9-12 Educator of the Year. As the Educator of the Year recipients, OnPoint Community Credit Union will pay each of their mortgages for one school year and donate $1000 to their respective schools for resources and supplies.
The annual OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education recognizes exceptional teachers throughout Oregon and southwest Washington for their ability to encourage creativity, inspire and positively impact their students. Every year hundreds of teachers are nominated by their peers, students, parents and communities for the OnPoint Prize.
K-8 Educator of the Year
Elizabeth Lawson
5th grade
Crestline Elementary School
Vancouver, Washington
Lawson was recognized for creating an environment of engaged students built on mutual trust, empowerment and critical thinking. An inspirational leader among peers, Lawson works collaboratively with teachers, parents and students to create a community of lifelong learners. Lawson’s teaching methods are recognized in professional development courses and she presented on the importance of providing critical thinking opportunities for students living in poverty at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Conference in 2013. Lawson will receive her mortgage paid for one school year by OnPoint Community Credit Union, plus $1,000 for her school to be used for resources and supplies.
9-12 Educator of the Year
Susan Bartley
9-12th grades/English & Leadership
Franklin High School
Portland, Oregon
Bartley has been instrumental in developing Advanced Placement (AP) classes and the Advanced Scholar Program (ASP) at Franklin High School. Bartley’s AP class enrollment has increased to 40% students of color, Special Education and English Language Learners as a result of her focus on diversity and equity work. Bartley is the recipient of the Council Trenholm Memorial Award by the National Education Association as part of its 2013 Human and Civil Rights awards and is founding member of the College Essay Writing Project with Literary Arts Portland. Bartley will receive her mortgage paid for one school year by OnPoint Community Credit Union, plus $1,000 for her school to be used for resources and supplies.
As a credit union founded by teachers 80 years ago, OnPoint continues to recognize that strengthening local education is one of the best ways to build thriving communities. “Our annual OnPoint Prize award celebrates extraordinary teachers whose work sparks enthusiasm and passion in students and their parents,” says OnPoint’s President and CEO Rob Stuart. “This award is an opportunity to recognize educators who make a difference in the lives of students and the communities where we live.”
The following 2014 finalists will each receive $500 for themselves and $500 for their schools for resources and supplies:
· Dian Christensen – K-8 Finalist
Sunnyside Environmental School
Portland, Oregon
Kindergarten – 8th grades/Physical Education
· Meg Greiner – K-8 Finalist
Independence Elementary School
Independence, Oregon
Kindergarten – 5th grades/Physical Education
· Rachel Davidson – 9-12 Finalist
Centennial High School
Gresham, Oregon
9-12th grades/Science
· Ryan Rowley – 9-12 Finalist
Sheridan High School
Sheridan, Oregon
9-12th grades/Agriculture Science & Technology
ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 267,000 members and with assets of $3.5 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.