AWARDS

ABOUT THE AWARDS

For over 30 years, OMA has recognized educators in the field of Montessori Education for inspiring advocacy and outstanding dedication in the state of Oregon and/or SW Washington.

To view a list of past award recipients, click here.

NOMINATIONS & REVIEW PROCESS

Nomination forms will be posted each in January. Nominators are encouraged to be thorough in their reasoning! OMA Board members review all nominations anonymously and select a winner. Winners are announced to coincide with National Montessori Week and Oregon Montessori Day.

Recipients of all awards are honored with a plaque, gift basket and announcement of their award in OMA communications and newsletters.

OUTSTANDING DEDICATION

AWARD

About the Award: The Outstanding Dedication Award is presented each year to an inspiring member of the community, or a group of individuals, whose exceptional practice and commitment to outreach is recognized by their peers and colleagues. This award seeks to honor and offer gratitude to the recipient for their outstanding work in promoting the well-being of children and fostering a community of support for parents, school communities, and all Montessorians.

Eligibility: The Outstanding Dedication Award is open to any individual or group in the Oregon & SW Washington community who is fulfilling the OMA mission. The nominee need not be a member of OMA to be eligible. Montessori training is not a requirement for this award.

Criteria: OMA seeks to recognize individuals or groups whose passionate advocacy for Montessori has fulfilled the OMA mission of advancing the Montessori movement. This may be shown through

Starting new and innovative programs
Lifelong support to the professional development of a school or organization that supports Montessori
Local, regional, national, or global efforts to make Montessori education accessible to all
Creating environments that support individual learners and create dynamic learning communities

OUTSTANDING DEDICATION TO MONTESSORI EDUCATION 2024-2025 WINNER

2024-2025 Winner:

This year's winner is Nora Mix from the Montessori School of Beaverton. Here are some quotes from her nomination.

"I think it would be impossible to measure how children have benefitted from Nora's work. Countless ways. She gives children the foundation they need to thrive for years to come after they leave her classroom."

"The children in Nora's classroom know how it feels to have a safe, loving, trusting adult by their side as they explore and experience the materials and the social aspects of the classroom. She allows them space for exploration, freedom with limits, and to discover their authentic selves and what they enjoy and are passionate about, all while still naturally and easily inserting the necessary lessons for children in a Montessori classroom. She nurtures their self esteem and confidence and makes them all feel valid, seen, and heard."

"While being a seasoned teacher, Nora still strives to evolve her craft; she is also a generous support for the Primary team and serves as their curriculum coordinator; her colleagues look up to her and seek advice regularly; being a parent themself, she is a caring and wise support for parents;"

Pictured: Nora Mix and her extended day class.

OUTSTANDING DEDICATION TO MONTESSORI EDUCATION IN 20/21 AWARD

About the Award: In 2021, our Board of Directors felt that the unique challenges of the past school year called for something different. That is why we created the Outstanding Dedication to Montessori Education in 20/21 Award, designed to elevate and celebrate the work of Montessori educators who, despite the unprecedented challenges of teaching in a pandemic, demonstrated exceptional dedication in their teaching and within their communities.

About the Recipients: We received an outpouring of nominations of incredible and deserving educators. After an extensive blind review process, we were thrilled to announce our winners: Andy Orenstein of Portland Montessori Collaborative in the Infant/Toddler category, Claire Lundy of Frog Song Montessori in the Primary category, Gabriel Barber of Montessori School of Beaverton in the Elementary/Adolescent category, and Harmony Montessori in the School Team category.

We were delighted to celebrate our four winners as well as all of our nominees in a special edition of the Forza Vitale! Each award recipient received a framed certificate and gift baskets filled with generous donations from local Portland businesses and a range of Montessori companies and organizations. Click here to view the Forza! special edition.

Pictured: Primary level award winner Claire Lundy of Frog Song Montessori