Written by: Seth Gordon, Newberg Graphic

Education — Post honors NHS' Daniel Evonuk and JAES' Stephanie Sayles as Teachers of the Year

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4015 commander Kirby Faircloth didn’t receive as many nominations for the post’s Teacher of the Year award as he was hoping for, but he’s not sure that anyone would have beaten out Daniel Evonuk and Stephanie Sayles even if he had.

The post honored Evonuk, an art and welding teacher at Newberg High School, and Sayles, a fifth-grade teacher at Joan Austin Elementary School, in a ceremony Friday evening in Newberg.

“They deserve to be recognized,” Faircloth said. “Each one has a compelling story behind them. I’m impressed with what they’ve done.”

A graduate of Western Oregon University with a bachelor’s degree in art and Willamette University with a master’s degree in teaching, Evonuk was recognized by the post as the top secondary teacher. He has been teaching at NHS for nine years and also operates a hazelnut farm.

According to NHS activities director Mark Brown, one faculty member describes Evonuk as the best co-worker she has ever had.

Many students claim Evonuk as one of their favorite instructors, saying he is a great source for support and is always willing to help when they struggle to understand a concept. Students also commented that they appreciated how easy it is to approach him and ask questions.

Evonuk is also an Army veteran, having earned multiple awards for his service as an infantryman.

Sayles began her teaching career as an English language learners (ELL) instructor at Barnes Elementary School in Beaverton before moving to the Newberg School District in 2004.

She split time as an ELL instructor between Dundee and Ewing Young elementary schools for two years before being hired full time at Ewing Young.

After three years at Ewing Young, Sayles moved to Joan Austin, where she has taught fifth grade since 2010.

A native of Plymouth, Mass., Sayles employs project-based learning techniques in which students take the lead and direct their own experience and take ownership of their learning.

She often connects this approach with her own areas of interest, like environmental stewardship.

After helping creating student-run lunchroom recycling and garden programs at Ewing Young, Sayles spearheaded another successful recycling program at Joan Austin last year, reducing lunchroom garbage by 84 percent.

The project also included a composting component and Sayles recently received a grant to help establish a student-led garden and “urban forest” at the school.

The post awarded both teachers gift certificates to local restaurants and they are eligible for more prizes at the upcoming VFW district competition later this month. Winners will advance to the state level and be honored at the VFW state convention June 4-6 in North Bend.