November 10, 2021 3:50 a.m.

On Tuesday, the Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, celebrated Sutherlin High School teacher Wes Crawford as a 2022 Teacher of the Year finalist, with the presentation of a $2,000 prize during an assembly at the school.

Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education, along with Eli Wolfe and Randy Fugate from the Oregon Lottery, gave both Crawford and the school, $2,000 checks.

Crawford was selected as one of four finalists for 2022 Oregon Teacher of the Year in September. In May, Crawford was named the Douglas Education Service District’s 2022 Regional Teacher of the Year.

An ODE release said Crawford grew up in Sutherlin and attended Sutherlin High School. Today he is the Agricultural Science and Technology teacher as well as the Future Farmers of America advisor. Crawford has been teaching at SHS for 14 years.

Principal Jon Martz said “It’s the mission of FFA to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing student potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education”. Martz said Crawford fulfills that mission and is an intricate part of the school’s success. Martz said Crawford forms positive relationships with students and encourages kids to learn new and challenging skills, “…while never sacrificing rigor and expectations”.

Crawford said “As someone who has students go down every possible option into a multitude of careers, it is on me as a teacher to make it clear that every purposeful path is valued and important”. He said that creating an environment where students can be both challenged and grow ensures that every student, regardless of their prior experience, can be confident when it is time for them to interview for a scholarship, a college admittance or a job.

Ethelyn Tumalad of Clackamas High School in Clackamas, was named Oregon’s 2022 Teacher of the Year in October.