Nominate a Teacher of the Year from your district!

ESD 105 facilitates the Regional Teacher of the Year program, which annually honors an educator who exemplifies teaching excellence in our south central Washington region.  Our regional honoree also serves as one of nine candidates statewide for Washington State Teacher of the Year (which is announced each fall).

School districts may forward applications from up to two nominees to ESD 105 no later than Friday, May 7, 2010.  Selection of our Regional Teacher of the Year occurs during the end of summer and is traditionally announced near the start of the new school year.  The Washington State Teacher of the Year selection committee then contacts and interviews the finalists for the statewide award in September.

Since the Washington State Teacher of the Year was first presented in 1962, five educators from the ESD 105 region have been named Washington State Teacher of the Year: Susan Johnson of Cle Elum-Roslyn (2009), Tamara Steen of Mabton (2004, and one of four finalists for the national award), Yvonne Ullas of Naches Valley (1998), Dan Zeutenhorst of Yakima (1977), and Robert Tormey of West Valley (1974).

For more information on the Teacher of the Year program, contact David Goehner, ESD 105 Public Information Officer.

• Teacher of the Year application form (prepared by nominated teacher; also requires one letter of nomination, three additional letters of recommendation (from an immediates supervisor, colleague/peer, and student/parent)

Congratulations to Madeline Dunn:
2009-10 ESD 105 Regional
Teacher of the Year!

Madeline Dunn has taught in the
Toppenish School District for 37 years
and has been a K-5 reading coach at
Garfield Elementary since 2001. 
Learn more about our current ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year here!

2008-2009 Regional Teacher of the Year
2009 Washington State Teacher of the year

2007-2008 Regional Teacher of the Year

Brenda Marler
Toppenish Middle School — Language arts, social studies, and literacy teacher
"I thoroughly enjoy diagnosing reading difficulties, developing a plan for remediation, then watching students thrive as they unlock the secret of successful reading."

2006-2007 ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year

Irene Longmire
Wahluke School District (Mattawa) — 2nd grade teacher
"Second grade is the best ever!  The kids have a joy for learning.  They're sponges -- just very eager to learn.  It's a perfect grade."

2005-2006 ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year

Judy Dorsett
Whitney Elementary School (Yakima School District) — 3rd grade teacher
"One of the joys of teaching is creating a classroom community whre the enthusiasm, interest, and learning are contagious."

2004-2005 ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year
2005 Washington State Teacher of the Year

Tamara Steen
Mabton Junior and Senior High Schools — English teacher
Tamara was also one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.

2003-2004 ESD 105 Regional Teacher of the Year

Amy Davis
Harriet Thompson Elementary (Grandview) — 4th grade teacher
"I get to go to school each day and look forward to opening the door to 28 special and unique young individuals."