Portland Public Schools

Mt. Tabor Japanese immersion teacher Matthew Bacon-Brenes has been named Oregon’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

Mt. Tabor Japanese immersion teacher Matthew Bacon-Brenes has been named Oregon’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

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Mt. Tabor Japanese immersion teacher Matthew Bacon-Brenes has been named Oregon’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

On Tuesday, Oregon Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Salam Noor visited the school to bestow the state’s top teaching honor on Bacon-Brenes. Noor cited Bacon-Brenes’ innovative practices, passion for excellence, and strong commitment to student success. 

Bacon-Brenes’ greatest impact has been in the Japanese immersion K-12 program at PPS over the past 20 years. His advocacy for the program has sustained its success, and has been life-changing for many students. Bacon-Brenes facilitates an annual, two-week Japanese Research Residency trip for 8^th grade students, where they research themes around Japanese culture, history, and social science.

“Matt’s instructional leadership, unwavering work ethic, and deeply held beliefs around serving all children have been pillars of Mt. Tabor’s success,” said Jennifer Patterson, senior director of Franklin K-8 Schools for PPS. “His humility, humor, and easy going demeanor make it easy for colleagues to learn alongside him, and he has a magical influence on the effectiveness of his team.”

The Oregon Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education in partnership with the Oregon Lottery. The Teacher of the Year is selected after an extensive application process, in which applicants are assessed on leadership, instructional expertise, community involvement, understanding of educational issues, professional development, and vision.

For more on Matthew Bacon-Berens and the Oregon Teacher of the Year program visit the Oregon Department of Education.