Oregon Teacher of the Year an 'Incredible Mentor' to Pacific's Next Generation of Teachers

Oregon’s 2023 Teacher of the Year is “an incredible mentor for our up-and-coming teachers,” said Leif Gustavson, dean of Pacific University’s College of Education. 

Rosa Floyd, who teaches at Nellie Muir Elementary in Woodburn, was honored by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill and Woodburn School Superintendent Joe Morelock for her commitment to students and their families and her classroom creativity. 

In addition to teaching children in Woodburn, Floyd also supervises Pacific University College of Education students as part of their student-teaching clinical practicum experience.

Floyd was born and reared in Guadalajara, Mexico, and studied in Mexico and Spain before moving to Oregon and seeking her teaching license. She has taught dual-immersion kindergarten classes in Woodburn for 22 years.

“One of my fundamental beliefs about teaching is that it has the power to create unity within a family, classroom, school, and community,” Floyd said. “We always want to learn more about the culture of our students and their families and for them to realize the great impact that families have in this community. This learning and appreciation for different cultures and traditions will help our students to live with and understand other people.”

(Photo by Oregon Lottery)