4J Educator Is Oregon Teacher of the Year

Fourth-grade teacher at Camas Ridge receives top state honor

Donna DuBois, a creative and enthusiastic fourth-grade teacher at Camas Ridge Community School in south Eugene, has been named Oregon Teacher of the Year for 2009–10. Ms. DuBois is known for the innovative "Light It Forward" project she created, in which students in her science class gave free energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs to adults in the community and asked them to purchase another CFL bulb to give to someone else. The fluorescent bulbs students gave out were donated to the project by the Eugene Water and Electric Board. Ms. DuBois also was instrumental in the successful merger of Harris and Eastside Elementary Schools. Ms. DuBois has inspired and engaged students in Eugene for the past nine years of her 12-year teaching career. 

"No one works harder to help students obtain the skills they need to succeed beyond high school than our public school teachers. We are so fortunate to have talented educators like Donna in Oregon," says Susan Castillo, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Her enthusiasm for science is a wonderful gift she shares with her students and fellow teachers. Her leadership, passion for teaching and positive attitude make her an excellent role model for Oregon teachers."

News Release: Oregon Department of Education 

News Coverage: Register-Guard / Oregonian / KEZI / KVAL / KMTR