Forest Grove students funneled into the auditorium at Fern Hill Elementary School for their first assembly of the year on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, many expected a routine event to kick off the fall.
But the occasion turned out to be much more than a typical schoolwide gathering.
Just as the assembly was about to begin, school principal Rogelio Martinez made a special announcement: Kayla Davidson, a reading specialist at Fern Hill, had won the Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year Award — and was now a finalist for the statewide title.
In partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Department of Education recognizes outstanding educators through its Oregon Teacher of the Year program. The initiative celebrates teachers who make a significant difference in the lives of students and inspire those around them.
Davidson, nominated for her dedication and innovative teaching methods, is one of 18 regional teachers honored this year and is now among the final four vying for the top state award.
"Her students come to her with diverse needs, and (Davidson) meets all of them where they are, supports and pushes them to be the best they can be," a colleague shared in her nomination. "We can see from the data that her students feel welcomed, supported, and excited to come to school and learn."
Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members. This year’s winners were selected through a local nomination, application and evaluation process facilitated by the 19 education service districts across the state.
“Now more than ever, we need powerful educators like these,” Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education, said in a statement. “Each Regional Teacher of the Year has earned this recognition because they champion every student, uplifting and empowering them to achieve, create, and feel a sense of belonging — not only in the classroom but in the wider world. Students and families in Oregon are fortunate to have teachers like these whose inspiring contributions create lasting impacts that ripple out into their communities and beyond.”
With her win, Davidson took home a $1,000 cash prize, but she might be looking at an even bigger check come October. If announced as the statewide winner, Davidson would see $10,000, plus an additional $5,000 dedicated to Fern Hill.
Since 1995, when the Oregon Lottery began contributing revenue to public education, more than $10 billion has been distributed to schools across the state. Last year, the Forest Grove School District received over $3.2 million from lottery funding, and Washington County as a whole saw about $47 million, lottery officials reported.
A teacher making a difference
Formerly teaching third grade, Davidson has taught in the Forest Grove School District since she graduated from Pacific University 10 years ago.
A Hawaii native, the educator has long had a passion for teaching that runs deep throughout her family — her mom is also a teacher, and her grandma was a teaching nurse.
"It really goes back a few generations," she said. "I spent countless hours in my mom’s classroom growing up."
Although Davidson knew she wanted to work with children, the path to teaching wasn’t always clear cut.
“I went to college thinking it would be in pediatrics because teaching doesn’t make enough money,” she said with a laugh. “I got into the science courses and said, ‘Absolutely not. This is not where I want to be. My heart is in a school.’”
“I just had a passion for (teaching) and knew I wanted to make change in some way, and I found myself here,” she said.
For Davidson, the honor isn’t something to fuel her vanity, but a reflection to those who have been beside her all these years.
“It is a huge honor, and I don't want to downplay that, but it really is a tribute to everyone who's helped me get here; I would not be here without the mentorship that I've had from my mentor teachers, from my admins, from my mom and my dad, my family members when I just need to go vent to them, and the friends who have been through it all with me,” Davidson said.
But while she strives to make a difference on the ground level, Davidson has a long road ahead of her. Currently studying for her doctorate at George Fox University, the educator plans to eventually enter into an administrative role to make a difference on the macroscopic level — addressing embedded disparities in the system and supporting students who are not always afforded the same opportunities and resources found in affluent communities.
“The kids are what continue to drive me,” she said. “I realized that if I wanted to make systemic change, I needed to find a way to do that on a larger scale than just my classroom. As much as I love the impact I have on my 28-plus students, systemically, I need to step into a role where I can impact larger groups, examine the systems we have in place and explore how we can serve different populations better. We’ve made progress in some areas, but there’s still a lot more work to do.”
Local News
