Vote for Ranger’s Nancy Wilson for America’s Favorite Teacher
Nancy Wilson
The Dalles, Ore., April 12, 2026 — Dufur High School science teacher Nancy Wilson has been nominated in the 2026 America’s Favorite Teacher competition, a nationwide contest that recognizes educators for their impact in and out of the classroom.
Wilson said she became a teacher after a varied early career that included wildland firefighting, AmeriCorps service, work with adjudicated youth, and leading a Youth Conservation Corps program. Despite her range of experiences, she said her passion for science and working with young people ultimately led her to the classroom.
“I found myself yearning for something more consistent and stable,” Wilson said in her contest profile. “My passion for science never dwindled and being a kid at heart didn't either. That was when I decided to become a teacher.”
One of her most memorable classroom experiences reflects her rural Oregon teaching environment. Wilson recalled a student who successfully harvested an elk, allowing her to use the animal’s lungs, trachea, and heart for an anatomy lesson.
Photo showing trachea, lungs and heart courtesy of Hunter-ed.com
Students inflated the lungs using a bicycle pump, and a local emergency room nurse joined the class to connect the lesson to real-world medicine.
Photo courtesy of Dufur School District website.
“If I won the $25,000 prize, I would first pay down personal debt, strengthen science manipulatives in my classroom, and support a school-wide student government celebration for all K–12 students,” Wilson said. She also noted plans to use part of the award to support a stay at The Balch Hotel for a personal retreat.
Voting in the competition is currently open through April 16 at 7 p.m. PDT for the “Top 5” round. Each voter receives one free vote every 24 hours, with additional votes available through optional donations.
To vote for Nancy Wilson, visit:
https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/nancy-wilson
The competition will continue through several elimination rounds, with the winner of the 2026 title expected to be announced in June.
About
The competition is operated by Colossal Management, LLC, a professional fundraising company that runs online, vote-based contests in partnership with charitable organizations. According to official contest rules, public voting determines which teachers advance through multiple elimination rounds, with donations tied to additional votes supporting The Planetary Society through the nonprofit DTCare.
DTCare is a nonprofit fiscal sponsor that provides administrative and compliance support for projects and organizations, including managing donations, tax-exempt status, and operational infrastructure for initiatives that operate under its umbrella.
The Planetary Society is a member-supported nonprofit space advocacy organization co-founded by Carl Sagan. It promotes space science, planetary exploration, and public engagement in space policy and research, often supporting scientific initiatives and education programs.
