Samuel Drinnon, Oregon Substitute Teacher of the Year: 2009

Samuel Drinnon was selected for his exceptional work as a substitute teacher in Woodburn. He will be recognized at the Oregon Legislature on Oregon Substitute Teacher Day. He is known for his use of humor “without thorns or putdowns.” He identifies potentially troublesome students and gives them special tasks. He also selects student assistants who help him to keep the class on task. Primary students love his Styrofoam cup calculators.

Mary Kolousek, Oregon Substitute Teacher of the Year: 2008

A substitute for Gaston, Forest Grove and Banks school districts, Kolousek has been a teacher for 17 years. The longtime teacher will be recognized by peers and administrators for her dedication to education.

Kolousek was nominated by Carol Gross, Gaston High School secretary. Kolousek's positive, engaging style was apparent during a lesson in which she filled in for Julie Dexter, GHS Spanish teacher.

After students provided the right answers for "Jeopardy"-style questions such as, "Feminine for 'we,' (nosotras)," in Ponga, a Spanish-language form of bingo, Kolousek told students in a class of 15, "Good job," or "There you go."

Her personal touch was apparent as she apologized for a temporarily creaky voice: "Thank you, guys, for being patient with my voice - this is weird."

Kolousek is a natural as a Spanish teacher. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish and mathematics from Texas Tech University and got her teaching credentials from Portland State University. After briefly working for Texas Instruments in Texas as a computer programmer, she and husband Jim, an engineer at Intel's Ronler Acres campus, moved with their children - Joe, now grown and living in Vancouver, Wash., and Martha, now a Gaston resident - back to the Portland area.

"I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, so subbing really suited me," Kolousek said of her choice to substitute rather than teach full-time. "I got my teaching credentials after volunteering in my kids' classes and finding I really loved being in class. Subbing still works really well for me."

Kolousek's secrets to being the best sub in the state include making a seating chart as soon as possible, to learn students' names quickly. "Calling kids by name makes a world of difference, in my class and having them respond to me in a positive way" she explained.

She said her greatest reward in teaching comes from continually relating to the same students. "I have the fun of watching them grow up, seeing changes."

Kolousek's biggest challenge is classroom management. "In some classes, there's a hard mix of kids and personalities. I have to make sure I can absorb that, and give them what they need. I do what I can to keep the class moving, and ensure learning continues."

If, rarely, a teacher does not provide a lesson plan, Kolousek uses classroom texts and materials to quickly make up one of her own. When subbing, she generally teaches six to seven classes a day.

"I have not had a bad day of subbing. One time, I helped a failing student get a B, because of my connection to him. I had a little more patience and gave him more personal attention, before and after school and during lunch.

"I love the kids. Every day when I come in, it's a clean slate. I don't hold grudges. I may take a deep breath, try hard to be friendly, because I really want to see the kids succeed. I really enjoy what I do."

Walter Ricks, Oregon Substitute Teacher of the Year: 2007

A Lincoln and Tillamook County substitute teacher whose students call him “Abuelito” (Little Grandfather) was selected as OSTA’s outstanding substitute teacher for 2007.  He was recognized at the Legislature on Oregon Substitute Teacher Day May 9 and at the Lincoln County School Board May 8.

Teachers, administrators, secretaries, and students all love him.  Some even say the schools could not run without him.  One student told him, “Mr. Ricks, if I were a magic person I would make you live forever.”  How does he engender such affection?  By taking the hardest jobs and sticking up for students who need extra encouragement. He even takes pies in the face on the last day of school—all for fun.

For 15 years, he left teaching and became a business owner of a pet shop.  During that time, he served eight years on the school board.  In 1994, when Walt and his wife Dixie moved to Otis, OR, he volunteered to guide a Hispanic student through the eighth grade. Since then he has been a substitute teacher in grades 8-12 and all subjects in Lincoln City and Nestucca Valley. He connects with students by volunteering on the chain gang for Taft High School football games. In extra time, he tends to chickens and building projects on their two acres.

Walt uses his experience as an administrator to save the day when other teachers are having a difficult time with students and no administrator is available. All agree that when he is in the school, learning continues and problems are quickly solved.  He well deserves the honor of Oregon Substitute Teacher of the Year!