TechStart was proud to present their 2026 Technology Teacher of the Year and Student of the Year awards at the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) 42nd Oregon Technology Awards event. TechStart presented the Technology Teacher of the Year and Student of the Year Awards to five highly deserving winners. The school of each teacher received $1,000 to spend on curriculum, programming, equipment, or professional development selected by each winner. A $2,000 scholarship toward college tuition or related expenses was awarded to two deserving high school students. Here are the award winners:

Technology Teacher of the Year for high school: Judson Birkel, South Salem High School, Salem, Oregon

Technology Teacher of the Year K-8 (Middle School): Sara Connors, Cal Young Middle School, Eugene, Oregon

Rising Star Technology Teacher of the Year for high school: Andrew Cronk, Southridge High School, Beaverton, Oregon

Student of the Year: Alondra Saldaña Simiano, Woodburn High School, Woodburn, Oregon

Student of the Year: Nathaniel Flood, Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro, Oregon