Tualatin High School special education teacher Jennifer Mills has been named one of Oregon’s 17 Regional Teachers of the Year for 2026-27.
Mills was surprised with the honor during a classroom celebration Sept. 22, presented by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery.
As a regional winner, Mills receives a $1,000 cash prize and is now a semifinalist for the statewide 2026-27 Oregon Teacher of the Year award, scheduled to be announced later this fall.
Colleagues describe Mills as a transformative figure in the classroom whose dedication sets a benchmark across the district.
“Students are empowered, taught to self-advocate, be independent, confident, safe, for now and the future,” a colleague wrote in nominating Mills. “I’ve worked in the Tigard-Tualatin School District for 20-plus years and have worked with many warm-hearted, well-meaning specialists, but no one compares with Mills’ approach to inclusion and neurodivergent students.”
Mills, who teaches functional skills special education at the high school, emphasized her focus on fostering genuine belonging for students of all abilities.
“As a high school functional skills special education teacher, I have a huge passion for genuine inclusion and creating opportunities for students with disabilities,” Mills said. “To touch one life is one of the greatest gifts as a teacher, but having an impact of this magnitude that grows exponentially with more students every year is an unmatched feeling of gratitude, pride and hope for the future of our world.”
Regional honorees are selected through an application and review process administered across Oregon’s education service districts. Panels evaluate nominees on leadership, instructional expertise, community involvement, equity, and educational vision.
“We are so proud of this year’s Regional Teachers of the Year who consistently demonstrate hard work, build strong relationships, empower their students, and create classroom environments that lead to student success,” ODE Director Charlene Williams said.
If selected as the Oregon Teacher of the Year this fall, Mills will receive a $10,000 award, a $5,000 grant for Tualatin High School, and the opportunity to serve as a spokesperson for educators statewide.
