Pictured from left: K-8 finalist Nadia Boria, K-8 Educator of the Year Francesca Aultman, OnPoint Community Credit Union President and CEO Rob Stuart, 9-12 Educator of the Year Tori Sharpe and 9-12 finalist Joe Minato (photo by OnPoint)

Skyview High School 
educator Tori Sharpe is the OnPoint Community Credit Union 9-12 Educator of the Year. Sharpe teaches English and Advancement Via Individual Determination classes and English language learners.

The credit union wrote, “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.”

Both Sharpe and K-8 Educator of the Year Francesca Aultman of David Douglas School District will have their mortgages paid for one full year. Their schools each will receive a $2,500 donation for resources and supplies.

Now in its 10th year, the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education recognizes educators throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.