High school social studies teacher Gwen Bartlett has earned a 2023 Oregon Regional Teacher of the Year award. Photo Credit: The News Review

There are many excellent educators that work in our nation’s schools. One of these is Gwen Bartlett, a high school social studies teacher from Oregon. She has been named a 2023 Regional Teacher of the Year.

Gwen, who first considered a career in journalism, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. After her college graduation, she took a job at a public relations and marketing company. But after doing volunteer work with young people during the summer, she became interested in a career as a teacher. So she went back to school, earning a Master’s degree in Education from Portland State University.

Gwen launched her career as an educator in 1998 when she accepted a position as a social studies teacher at Roseburg High School in Roseburg, Oregon. She still works there today. She currently teaches US History and Advanced Placement US History. She says she strives to make her classroom a safe space for dialogue and discussion, she attempts to make the past relevant to students today.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Gwen has also been her school’s Head Track and Field Coach for six years. Gwen says that track was an important part of her high school and college experiences, and it’s important to her to share that with her students.

The Oregon Regional Teacher of the Year awards honor exemplary educators in every region of the state. Candidates are recognized as being exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled public school educators in grades Pre-K through 12. A total of 16 teachers have been selected from across the state of Oregon to receive the honor. In addition to the recognition, Gwen received a $1,000 cash prize.

To read more about Gwen Bartlett, click on this link to an article about her published by the Douglas Education Service District.