Ilwaco High School teacher chosen to represent region
llwaco High School teacher Jeff Lewis has been selected by Educational Service District 112 as the Regional Teacher of the Year. Cited for his ability to teach successfully from kindergarten through grade twelve, as well as his talent to help students of all levels learn and achieve, Lewis' nomination will now be submitted to the Teacher Awards Program of the Office of Public Instruction for consideration as Washington State Teacher of the Year. That award will be presented this Fall.
In his nine-year tenure in the Ocean Beach School District, Lewis has taught in a number of special program areas - Title 1, special education, distance learning and Literacy - in both primary and secondary grades. Ilwaco High School principal Lisa Nelson says, "Mr. Lewis makes an immediate and positive impact.with the bottom percentile of students who struggle in reading, writing and mathematics.instilling a sense of confidence in these students and making them believers through his unyielding efforts."
Lewis also saw an unfilled need in the school district and took on an intensive program to enable Ilwaco High School to offer an additional 250 online advanced placement and other courses to students. Peers also praise him for his student management skills and the ability to de-escalate situations.
Prior to teaching in the Ocean Beach School District, Lewis also taught in the Nestucca Valley and Salem-Keizer districts in Oregon. He holds degrees in Political Science from Willamette University, a Special Education teaching endorsement from Western Oregon State College and a Masters in Education from George Fox University.
"We are delighted to have an educator of Mr. Lewis' caliber represent our region at the state level, and in all activities surrounding the Teacher of the Year program," concluded ESD 112 Superintendent Dr. Twyla Barnes.
Gail Spolar - August 2005