OnPoint Community Credit Union Announces Winners for the 2019 Prize for Excellence in Education

The two Educators of the Year will have their mortgages paid by OnPoint for an entire year

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May 23, 2019, 11:19 ET

PORTLAND, Ore., May 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced its Educator of the Year award winners. Francesca Aultman was named the K–8 Educator of the Year and Tori Sharpe was named the 9–12 Educator of the Year. Both winners will have their mortgages paid for one full year, and a $2,500 donation will be awarded to their schools for resources and supplies.

Left to Right: K-8 Finalist Nadia Boria, K-8 Educator of the Year Francesca Aultman, OnPoint Community Credit Union President & CEO Rob Stuart, 9-12 Educator of the Year Tori Sharpe, and 9-12 Finalist Joe Minato

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education is an annual award that recognizes educators throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington for their exceptional work to inspire students and positively impact their schools and communities. Currently celebrating its 10^th year, the campaign has awarded more than $365,000 in prizes to over 275 local educators and schools.

"Even beyond their direct work with students, inspiring and innovative teachers have a positive impact on our entire community," said OnPoint Community Credit Union President and CEO Rob Stuart. "We have a rich history supporting educators, having been founded by 16 schoolteachers more than 85 years ago, and the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education is one way we showcase the exceptional work they continue to provide today."

K – 8 Educator of the Year
Francesca Aultman
5th Grade
Gilbert Heights Elementary School
Portland, Oregon

Francesca is a beacon of equity at Gilbert Height Elementary. She helps her students overcome their struggles, build confidence and achieve their goals. She has shifted her curriculum to reflect the diverse student groups through incorporating texts such an Esperanza Rising and lessons that are relevant to her students. During the most recent school year, 89 percent of her students passed the SBAC English Language Arts test. She has demonstrated a track record of above-average student growth for both gifted and struggling students. Francesca inspires other educators to do their best work. She also serves on four different school improvement teams and has served as a member of Gilbert Height's Building Leadership Team, 21st Century Site Council, Student Support Team and as a teacher representative for the Core Literacy Team.

9- 12 Educator of the Year
Tori Sharpe
English, AVID, ELL
Skyview High School
Vancouver, Washington

As an English, AVID and ELL teacher, Tori strives to create mutual respect among her students. She empowers her students to share their needs, assess their own learning and display their knowledge in the way that is best for them. Tori utilizes international exchange, videos, music, pop culture, traditional essays, reading, classroom collaboration and presentations as creative teaching tools. A few of the incredible projects Tori's students have completed include six-word memoirs, a This I Believe speech unit and a Edgar Allen Poetry Off. She works to build community inside and outside her school by facilitating volunteer opportunities at the Vancouver Bike Parade and Randall Children's Hospital. She acts as a leader at Skyview through the expansion of the school's English Language Development Classes, leading professional development on ELL techniques, acting as the girls wrestling coach and implementing family engagement nights. Tori inspires learning and creativity through her teaching.

Educator of the Year Finalists
OnPoint will award $5,000 to the following 2019 finalists and make a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies:

Nadia Boria – K-8 Finalist
3^rd grade
Scouters Mountain Elementary School
Happy Valley, Oregon
Joe Minato – 9-12 Finalist
AP Physics I and Science Research
Wilson High School
Portland, Oregon

Circle of Excellence
Six additional teachers have been named to the Circle of Excellence. These educators will each receive a $1,500 cash prize and a $1,000 donation to their school.

Michelle Colbert – Art, Fir Ridge Campus Alternative School, Portland, Oregon
Stephanie Fitzgerald – 7^th and 8^th Grade Math, Colton Middle School, Damascus, Oregon
Brandon Ramey – Health and PE, Newberg High School, Newberg, Oregon
Myron Ryan – Metalworking and Manufacturing, Franklin High School, Portland, Oregon
Kellie Tichenor – 1^st Grade, West Tualatin View Elementary, Portland, Oregon
Greg Wognild – Drama, Coding/Computer Science, Woodshop, Sky View Middle School, Bend, Oregon

2019 Community Builder Award Recipients:
OnPoint also announced the recipients of the Community Builder Award. The following four schools will receive a $1,000 donation to help fund a special school project. One school, selected by community votes, will receive a $2,000 donation.

Bridger Elementary School – Portland, Oregon – Bridger Scholars Program
Molalla High School – Molalla, Oregon – Friendship Courtyard
Prescott Elementary School – Portland, Oregon – SUN School Homework
Tucker Maxon School – Portland, Oregon – Special Needs Projector/Sound System
Vose Elementary – Beaverton, Oregon – Ballet Folklorico After School Club

Learn more about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education and our winners at www.onpointprize.com.

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 370,000 members and with assets of $5.5 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon counties (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.