Eastern Oregon University College of Education Announces Inaugural Class of the Oregon Rural Teacher Corps (ORTC)
12 candidates were selected for the inaugural class of the Oregon Rural Teacher Corps (ORTC) program. The inaugural program will go through the 2022-23 academic year.
Rural Schools Collaborative is thrilled to reshare this incredible news from Eastern Oregon University, our Pacific Northwest Hub partner lead. Eastern Oregon University is a leader in rural education and rural leadership, working to inspire the next generation of of rural teachers in Oregon and Washington. Congratulations to all of the selected candidates participating in EOU's Oregon Rural Teacher Corps' inaugural class! We look forward to sharing and celebrating future stories about the incredible work of the ORTC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 12th, 2022
Teach Rural Oregon and the Eastern Oregon University College of Education are pleased to announce the selection of the inaugural class of the Oregon Rural Teacher Corps (ORTC). ORTC is part of a catalyst grant partnership with the Rural Schools Collaborative in order to provide peer support, travel money, classroom supplies, professional development, and financial assistance to a select group of current EOU Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) candidates who choose to teach in rural and underserved communities in Oregon. Funding for the ORTC is provided through generous grants from the following organizations
- Teach Rural Oregon/EOU College of Education in partnership with Wallowa Region 18 ESD, the Oregon Department of Education, and the Educator Advancement Council
- Rural Schools Collaborative
- The Ford Family Foundation
- The Roundhouse Foundation
The inaugural program will go through the 2022-23 academic year and will conclude with a formal celebration at the end of the academic year during graduation weekend in La Grande in mid June. The initial class includes 12 candidates from throughout the state of Oregon. They are:
Kolbe Bales, an instructor at Imbler Elementary School in Imbler, Oregon
Janea Young, an instructor at Wallowa Elementary/Middle/High School in Wallowa, Oregon
Tina Dickson, an instructor at Culver Middle School in Culver, Oregon
Robert Duke, an instructor at Athena Elementary School and Weston McEwen High School in Athena, Oregon
Jennifer Fuentes, an instructor at McNary Heights Elementary School in Umatilla, Oregon
Dennise Blevins, an instructor at Hines Middle School in Hines, Oregon
Chris Hull, an instructor at Umatilla High School in Umatilla, Oregon
Tate Lightle, an instructor at Fremont/A.D. Hay Elementary School in Lakeview, Oregon
Jose Ortiz, an instructor at Irrigon Junior/Senior High School in Irrigon, Oregon
Daniel Puerta, an instructor at Riverside Junior/Senior High School in Boardman, Oregon
Marco Retono, an instructor at Union Elementary/Middle/High School in Union, Oregon
BoDean Tayer, an instructor at Pine Eagle Elementary School in Halfway, Oregon
Please direct any questions or requests for information to Dave Dallas, Teach Rural Oregon Director at ddallas@eou.edu or 541-962-3535. More information about Teach Rural Oregon and its various programs is available here https://www.eou.edu/teach-rura... More information about the College of Education at Eastern Oregon University and its various programs is available here https://www.eou.edu/college-of... Thank you for your interest and support
Meet the Inaugural Class of the Oregon Rural Teacher Corps!
