JOHN DAY — None of the great teachers throughout Grant County have been nominated for Oregon Teacher of the Year.

Grant Education Service District Superintendent Robert Waltenberg wants to change that, but time is running out: the deadline for nominations is Thursday, Feb. 6.

If a teacher has made an impact in a kid’s life, added to the community, gone above and beyond their duty or anything else that makes that teacher stand out above the rest, Waltenberg is asking Grant County residents to go to https://oregonteacheroftheyear.org/nominate/ and nominate that teacher.

As the person filling out the nomination form, you’ll need to fill out a few boxes about what makes this person so special. If you need help, you can reach out to the administrator in the teacher’s building or to Waltenburg at the ESD.

“We have some absolutely amazing teachers in this county,” Waltenberg said. “The problem is that many teachers don’t like being in the spotlight.”

Waltenberg added that these teachers often spend more time during the week with students than their parents do, and he wants teachers to know the value of the work they do and the impact it has on their students.

“The criteria for nominating are wide open — it could be a kind word, it could be academic excellence, it could be making every kid want to come to school every day,” Waltenberg said. “We are just seeking input and nominations from parents and the community.”

Regional award winners will be announced in the fall for each of Oregon’s 19 education service districts, one of whom will become the Teacher of the Year for the state.