{"id":573,"date":"2023-10-25T16:13:26","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T16:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/?page_id=573"},"modified":"2025-02-28T18:32:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T18:32:16","slug":"past-ortc-candidates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/oregon-rural-teacher-corps\/ortc-candidates\/past-ortc-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"Past ORTC Candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Past ORTC Candidates<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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\"Ollie<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Ollie Baker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Warrenton High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe culture, and feel of the building I work in, simply feels right and I have every intention of continuing to serve the school that took a chance on me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Garrett<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Garrett Beckman<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Imbler Jr\/Sr High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is very important as an educator to make sure that I develop meaningful relationships with my students and also with their families\u2026Being an educator in a rural school allows me the ability to show students that they are bigger than just themselves, and give them direction in creating a better community than before.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Karina<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Karina Diaz Lara<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Central Middle School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI aim to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning. I seek to bridge the gap between rural and urban education by engaging with innovative teaching methods and leveraging technology.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Micah<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Micah Grogan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Taft Jr\/Sr High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to change lives, save lives, and do everything in my power to make sure [students] feel safe, secure, and supported.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Logan<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Logan Nedrow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at North Powder Charter School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNorth Powder Charter School is more than a school to me. It is my home and my family where I plan to continue to teach proudly to the students who are walking the same hallways that shaped me into the person I am today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Kaleb<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Kaleb Rainsberry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Haines Elementary School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecoming a part of the teaching community in Haines, which feels more like a family, has been the biggest blessing to me and is something I didn\u2019t realize I needed until I became a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Nicole<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Nicole Ryan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Dufur School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to do something that matters with my life and career. It wasn\u2019t until I started subbing that I really found my way. I know this is where I\u2019m meant to be. I want to help kids grow during difficult times. Help them become resilient. Show them love and compassion and teach them how to find their way.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Lonnie<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Lonnie Slapinski<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Elgin Jr\/Sr High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a teacher in a rural school you have more ability to make deeper connections with your students as the student to teacher ratio is lower, and in these rural communities everyone knows everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Killian<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Killian Sump<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Burnt River School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really want to help our students in our mixed-grade elementary classroom realize how blessed they are to live in a beautiful place and have a spacious classroom with educators who value them and provide individualized attention.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Scott<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Scott Wardwell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Amity High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs an aspiring educator and coach, my goal is to find a lasting place within a school, and contribute to the growth of both the community and its students.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Daniel Puerta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Boardman, OR
Teaching at Riverside High School, Boardman<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“[Teaching] is a challenging but rewarding career, and I cannot see myself doing anything else but being an educator and a role model in my community.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

BoDean Tayer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Imnaha, OR
Teaching at Pine Eagle Charter School, Halfway<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“Growing up in a remote community with a parent that was a teacher in a one-room school, I saw first-hand the impact that educators can have on a rural community. This upbringing solidified my passion for giving back and providing service to outlying rural communities.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Janea Young<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Eureka, CA
Teaching at Wallowa School (K-12)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“I grew a passion for teaching within the first few days of teaching. My heart grew in a matter of moments when kids started getting excited to see me.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Kolbe Bales<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Dufur, OR
Teaching at Imbler Charter School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“My future goals as a teacher involve creating a safe learning environment, being a strong\/positive role model for our youth, and implementing the importance of education…In today’s day and age, many students may not have a positive male influence in their lives. My goal is to help be that positive male influence for these students.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Dennise Blevins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Prineville, OR
Teaching at Hines Middle School<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“I hope to have a classroom at Burns High School where I can create a safe and inviting space for rural Oregon students to experience literature and writing like they never have before.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Tina Dickson<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Condon, OR
Teaching at Culver High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“I want to provide students from rural Oregon with a consistent, effective, quality education that instills values they will carry with them for a lifetime\u2026”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Robert Duke<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Athena, OR
Teaching at Athena Elementary School and Weston McEwen High School, Athena<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“Rural communities in Oregon need qualified, trusted, and driven teachers. That is what I strive to be for my rural community…I have always wanted to give back to the community that raised me.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Jennifer Fuentes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Hermiston, OR
Teaching at McNary Heights Elementary School, Umatilla<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“My future teaching goal is to provide a classroom environment in which each student feels valued and receives the education that they deserve\u2026I will provide a classroom environment that celebrates diversity amongst students, as well as inclusiveness.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Chris Hull<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Pendleton, OR
Teaching at Umatilla High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“It is my belief that education has always been a starting point for meaningful change. In rural high schools, we are in a position to teach essential skills to the youth of today, who then become technology ambassadors for their community.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Tate Lightle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Lakeview, OR
Teaching at Fremont Elementary School, Lakeview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“As the only male primary teacher in my district, I am super excited to teach and positively impact 14 kindergarteners this year.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Jose Ortiz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Fort Lauderdale, FL
Teaching at Irrigon Jr\/Sr High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“This is the beginning of my 5th year teaching and I have found my niche. I do not enjoy working with the students who have had privilege and easy lives…They are not built with the grit of a student from underserved and rural areas. That is the type of student I want to work with.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"OTRC<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Marco Retano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Culver, OR
Teaching at Union Jr\/Sr High School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

“One of my teaching goals is to be one of those educators that helps students become the best version of themselves…It is important to me that students in underserved communities get the education and care they deserve.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Past ORTC Candidates Ollie Baker Teaching at Warrenton High School \u201cThe culture, and feel of the building I work in, simply feels right and I have every intention of continuing to serve the school that took a chance on me.\u201d Garrett Beckman Teaching at Imbler Jr\/Sr High School \u201cIt is very important as an educator […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":491,"featured_media":0,"parent":476,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page_full.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-573","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/491"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=573"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":710,"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/573\/revisions\/710"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eou.edu\/teach-rural-oregon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}