We catch up with Michael Parker, Executive Director of the Oregon College Savings Plan and talk about the great Education Celebration Award ceremony at Sunnyslope Elementary School in Roseburg, the excitement around the award, our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters and new portfolio options at the Oregon College Savings Plan.
We were very proud to honor our first recipient of the Education Celebration Award, Stephen Buckley, this past Friday at Sunnyslope Elementary School in Roseburg.
After the ceremony, we had a few moments to chat with him about: his reaction to winning, his first year in teaching, his core teaching philosophy, what excites him most about the future of education in Oregon, advice to new educators and more.
A conversation with Oregon College Savings Plan Executive Director, Michael Parker, on the first Education Celebration Award, tips for tax season and our continued partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.
Michael Parker, Executive Director of the Oregon College Savings Plan, joins us for a recap of the Civil War promotion, discussion on the first Education Celebration Award, information on an upcoming college savings seminar in Portland on 12/3 and more reduced fees for investors in the Oregon College Savings Plan.
(Note: We are proud to share these stories about teachers who have made a difference. If you would like to share your story of a teacher who positively impacted you, please email us.)
by Chris Crabb, Guest Contributor
My favorite teacher was Mr. Tom Porter in third grade.
It was his first year of teaching, and he had so much enthusiasm -- a zest for life and for teaching. What I remember most is that he taught us how to maintain a checking/savings account -- we could order "merchandise" out of catalogs, write a check and send away for it.
We each had a mailbox, and our "order" would arrive in the form of a picture. In the meantime, we had to balance the checkbook to the penny. To this day, I keep a mean checkbook!
Mr. Porter was wonderful in many other ways, and when he moved up to 6th grade, I was lucky enough to get him again. He had such an impact on me that I invited him to my wedding 13 years later, and he was happy to attend. Every child deserves a teacher like him!
We invite you to participate in the Oregon Education Celebration Award that includes a $1,500 cash prize for the winning education and $5,000 for that educator's school. More information at the Oregon College Savings Plan website.
This week, we talk about the week-long Oregon State football VIP Club Level ticket promotion, more on the Civil War promotion, an explanation of our new award, The Education Celebration Award, eDelivery (and possible lower OCSP fees) and more.
Visit our new Education Celebration Oregon page to see positive stories about education in Oregon.
