The IMESD is proud to announce the 2021 winner is JD Cant, Agriculture Teacher at Imbler High School!
Imbler School District held a virtual assembly early this morning to announce Cant as the winner. Cant wins a $500 cash prize and is in the running for Oregon’s 2021 Teacher of the Year – to be announced this fall.
“JD takes time to connect with each student and identify the student’s strengths and weaknesses. He is a wonderful mentor. JD finds a way to serve ALL students in our district,” said Angie Lakey-Campbell, Imbler School District superintendent.
In addition to teaching agriculture, Cant is the FFA Advisor at Imbler, where the district’s program is a model for the rest of Oregon. “The Agriculture Program at Imbler is one of the elite programs within the State of Oregon. JD is recognized for his innovative teaching strategies and is frequently utilized at the state and national level to facilitate educational workshops,” said Reynold Gardner, agriculture education specialist at the Oregon Department of Education. ODE identified the Imbler program as a “CTE Brightspot” within Career and Technical Education programs across the state.
The pivotal role of teachers has become especially evident in these last several months as schools have transitioned to distance learning in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers have stepped up in countless, innovative ways to ensure students are safe, healthy and engaged to reach their full potential, making this a fitting opportunity to recognize the excellence of Regional Teachers of Year throughout the state!
Regional Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, colleagues, administrators, friends or family members to apply for the award, and are selected by a diverse panel of regional representatives. Later this fall one of the Regional Teachers of the Year will be named the 2021 Oregon Teacher of the Year.
Thanks to the Oregon Department of Education’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the 2021 Oregon Teacher of the Year receives a $5,000 cash prize (with a matching $5,000 going to their school!) and serves as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers. Three finalists will receive $2,000 with a matching $2,000 going to their school. Please visit OregonTeacheroftheYear.org for more information.