GPHS Teacher Named Regional Teacher of the Year

GRANTS PASS, Ore. - The critical role of teachers has become especially evident as schools have responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers have stepped up in countless, innovative ways to ensure students are safe, healthy and engaged to reach their full potential, making this a fitting opportunity to recognize the excellence of Regional Teachers of Year throughout the state!

Grants Pass High School history teacher, Lois MacMillan was named Southern Oregon’s 2022 Regional Teacher of the Year! MacMillan wins a $500 cash prize and is in the running for Oregon’s 2022 Teacher of the Year – to be announced this fall. This is the second year in a row that a Grants Pass School District 7 teacher has been named Southern Oregon’s Teacher of the Year.

“Lois has a student centered classroom that focuses on incorporating all learning styles,” Grants Pass High School Principal, Ryan Thompson says. “ She is a rare teacher who has taught at elementary, middle, and high school level.  This shows in her teaching, as she can accommodate all levels of learning within the classroom and challenge students to accelerate to higher levels of learning.”

Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members to apply for the award, and are selected by a diverse panel of regional representatives. Later this fall one of the Regional Teachers of the Year will be named the 2022 Oregon Teacher of the Year.

Thanks to the Oregon Department of Education’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the 2022 Oregon Teacher of the Year receives a $5,000 cash prize (with a matching $5,000 going to their school!) and serves as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers. Three finalists will receive $2,000 with a matching $2,000 going to their school. Please visit OregonTeacheroftheYear.org for more information.