Pathway teacher to be considered for 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year
Dave Clauson, McMinnville High School pathway teacher in the Engineering & Aerospace Sciences Academy (EASA) has been named Regional Teacher of the Year. The surprise announcement was made this morning during the all-school welcome back assembly at the high school.
Each Regional Teacher of the Year wins a $1,000 cash prize and is in the running for Oregon’s 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year. The Oregon Teacher of the Year will be announced in October.
Clauson has been teaching in the McMinnville School District since 2006, and has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels. His passion for STEM helped build the third-grade robotics program, STEM electives and after-school robotics at the middle school level, and the high school’s EASA, as well as the high school’s robotics program.
“Dave Clauson’s extraordinary commitment to STEM education is an incredible gift to our students,” said Superintendent Debbie Brockett. “The third grade robotic program has touched nearly every third grader in the district over the past 12 years, and that experience has put many of our students on the path to our EASA program and eventual engineering careers.”
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 preK-12.
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 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.
“Dave Clauson is the kind of teacher every student remembers,” said Dr. Joe Morelock, superintendent of the Willamette Education Service District. “At McMinnville High School’s Engineering and Aerospace Sciences Academy, David does more than teach technical skills—he sparks curiosity and builds the confidence to communicate and collaborate. Over the years, David noticed the needs of his community and launched after-school programs, which have continued to grow and serve students across multiple grade and skill levels.”
Since 1995, when the Oregon Lottery began allocating revenue to public education, more than $10 billion has been transferred to school districts across the state. This past year, over $3.5 million dollars of Oregon Lottery funding went to the McMinnville School District, and more than $10 million dollars went to Yamhill County.
“These exceptional teachers inspire and encourage students every day in classrooms across Oregon,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We are proud to honor their contributions and vital role in making our communities stronger.”
McMinnville School District has had two Regional Teachers of the Year in a row. Last year’s winner was Michele Reschly, STEM teacher from Patton Middle School. In 2016, Pamela Canady was named Regional Teacher of the Year when she was a math teacher at McMinnville High School.