September 22, 2025 10:30 a.m. 

On Friday, the Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, announced that Jennifer Bracken is one of Oregon’s 2025-26 Regional Teachers of the Year and a state finalist.

A release said the Sutherlin East Primary School teacher found out about the award at a surprise announcement made during an all-school assembly.

According to the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors teacher excellence, with the state Teacher of the Year serving as the face and voice of exemplary educators across the state. The release said candidates for the honor are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled licensed public-school educators in grades pre-K-12.

East Primary School Principal Reina Pike said of Bracken, “She fosters an environment of care, creativity, and inclusivity, making her an outstanding role model for both colleagues and her students”.  Pike said, “Jennifer builds strong, meaningful relationships with her students. She sees each child as an individual, celebrating their strengths and understanding their unique needs”.

Each Regional Teacher of the year wins a $1,000 cash prize and is in the running for Oregon’s 2025-26 Oregon Teacher of the Year, which will 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, more than $745,000 of Oregon Lottery funding went to the Sutherlin School District, and over $7.7 million went to Douglas County.