Local News

The Oregon Department of Education -- in partnership with the Oregon Lottery -- has announced a Grants Pass educator is one of the state's 18 Regional Teachers of the Year. Kellen Akiyama teaches English Language Arts and African-American Studies at Gladiola High School.

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 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, skilled and knowledgeable licensed public school educators in grades pre-K-12. Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members.

"Kellen has been an exceptional advocate for his community," stated by a peer in his nomination. "He incorporates art and music, such as hip hop and poem, to his social studies curriculum so students can relate to their learning better and explore different ways to show their understanding through various mediums."

Akiyama and the other 17 Regional Teachers of the Year win a $1,000 cash prize and are in the running for the 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year to be announced in October.

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 million of Oregon Lottery funding went to the Grants Pass School District and more than $6 million went to Josephine County.