Brennan Young, a special education teacher at South Salem High School, arrived to work Wednesday morning to friends, family and colleagues helping celebrate a surprise announcement—that he had been named a Regional Teacher of the Year in Oregon!
Recognizing Excellence
Every day in Oregon classrooms, teachers offer their innovation, energy and content mastery in support of students across the state. The Oregon Teacher of the Year Program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across Oregon. Candidates for Oregon Teacher of the Year are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12.
Impacting His Community
Young was nominated by a parent of a student, who noted, “[Young] works to integrate special needs children into their school environment, constantly takes them into community for field trips and integration.” They further explained, “[My] child is thriving at school and blowing past his goals, where previously sometimes school just felt like a place to go hang out.”
“Connecting my students with their peers and their community is at the foundation of my work,” Young stated in his nomination. “The growth that results from these connections is both visible and lasting. This work challenges assumptions, shifts perspectives, and moves us beyond deficit-based thinking toward a deeper understanding: every individual has intrinsic value—and, when given the opportunity, the ability to contribute in meaningful and impactful ways.”
A Positive Tradition
Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. Regional winners were identified through a local nomination, application and selection process facilitated by the 19 Education Service Districts around the state. Applicants submitted testimonials and letters of support and were assessed by a diverse panel of regional representatives on the attributes of leadership, instructional expertise, commitment to equity, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, vision and professional development.
“We are so proud of this year’s Regional Teachers of the Year who consistently demonstrate hard work, build strong relationships, empower their students, and create classroom environments that lead to student success,” said ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams. “As mentors, advocates, and community leaders, they show us all that the best is on display in schools large and small, rural and urban, from the first years of schooling to the final preparations for a student’s next steps beyond high school. We thank them for their inspiration and can’t wait to see what they do next.”
Learn More About Teacher Of The Year
Thanks to a partnership with Oregon Lottery, each Regional Teacher of the Year will receive a $1,000 award and is considered a semi-finalist for the 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year, which will be announced later this fall…