Molalla MS teacher makes education special, honored for her work

A Molalla Middle School teacher was not only recently honored for her work, but is getting a little extra help with household expenses.

OnPoint Community Credit Union recently announced the four winners of the 2024 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards. And Sherry Reeder was tabbed at the grade 6-8 Educator of the Year.

Reeder is special education teacher at Molalla River Middle School and as a condition of winning the award, will have her mortgage or rent paid for one year and receive $2,500 for the middle school.

“Our Educators of the Year awards recognize the remarkable educators whose dedication impacts their students and community every day,” said Rob Stuart, president and CEO of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “This year’s winners and runners-up use their amazing creativity and innovation to inspire students. As we celebrate the 15th year of these awards, we are honored to recognize and support the educators who go above and beyond to teach and lead our youth."

6–8 Educator of the Year – Sherry Reeder

6th – 8th grade Special Education, Molalla River Middle School.

Special education teacher Sherry Reeder understands students are more than just recipients of knowledge - they want to be active participants in their educational journey. Her student-centered approach means creating an environment in her classroom where students feel empowered.

Reeder's impact extends across the school. She worked with the administration to conduct focus groups that helped identify the causes of low satisfaction scores among students. This led to the implementation of "brain breaks" to help reduce student anxiety and stress.

She is also helping to make elective classes accessible for English Language Development students and those with additional needs.

Reeder also helps mentor new special education staff members, coordinates Instructional Assistants schedules, and provides support staff development. She even organizes offsite staff events to help build connection among her colleagues.

Reeder serves as the assistant coach for the Unified basketball and kickball teams (which give students with disabilities equal access to these sports), plans summer programs, and organizes student awards nights. She also developed the "Academic Leadership Award" to ensure special education students are celebrated alongside their peers.

“She has been an incredible support to our team members since joining MRSD in 2017. In my work with Sherry, I have watched her masterfully teach students with a range of disabilities and other issues that make learning and school extremely difficult,” noted Josh Hughson, Molalla River School District psychologist. “Recently, I have heard directly from several students with mental health issues that Sherry's classroom and presence are the most calming and comfortable things at school.”