Middle school teacher Mandy Vance of Portland, Oregon, has been recognized as her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: North Central Education Service District
I am always excited to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned accolades for her work with young people. One of these is Mandy Vance, a middle school teacher from Portland, Oregon.
Mandy earned her Bachelor’ degree in Social Studies Education from Corban University in Salem, Oregon in 2008. There she earned honors for her leadership and athletic achievements. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2011, also from Corban. She earned her PhD in Education from Concordia University in 2019. There her research centered on the specific needs of students who are also athletes.
After earning her degrees, Mandy inaugurated her career as a professional educator in the Oregon Trail School District. In the District she taught at Boring Middle School for 15 years. Currently, she develops curriculum for courses in sports management, academic success, and creative science at Cedar Ridge Middle School in Sandy, Portland. She also serves on her school’s Site Council Leadership Team, in her local union, and as a mentor teacher. And as if all that were not enough, she also works as an adjunct professor for Eastern Oregon University.
Mandy says she believes her personal educational philosophy is paramount to their success. “I have discovered that what matters most isn’t what I do,” she declares. “It’s not the strategies I use, the standards I teach to, the technology I utilize, or the instructional methods I employ. It’s the quality of my presence, the state of being I bring to my students,” she continues.
The Oregon Teacher of the Year program is administered by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. As part of her recognition, Mandy will receive a $10,000 cash award. In addition, $5,000 is also awarded to Oregon Trail School District. She says she plans to use the money to help set up a scholarship fund for students who want to become teachers.
