Jostens has announced that Newberg High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mark Brown is being recognized as a Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. Brown and other Jostens Renaissance award winners will be honored at the 32nd annual Jostens Renaissance Global Conference (JRGC) in Chula Vista, California from June 28-30, 2025.
The Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year award honors educators who have demonstrated superior performance and achievement in the operation of their schools’ Jostens Renaissance program. This year Jostens selected Brown and three others for this highly honorable award. “Jostens is honored to recognize Mark Brown as a Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year,” said Mike Wolf, Vice President of School Culture and Events. “This award is designed to recognize the passion and dedication of educators who are a driving force in impacting students’ academic performance and character. Mark has certainly demonstrated that at Newberg and we are honored to celebrate his accomplishments at JRGC.”
Tami Erion, Principal of Newberg High School, wrote in her nomination letter, “I explained that I needed him to lead our school culture work and help us change the way our students and community view NHS, and he delivered BIG TIME. As the culture began to shift, so did academic performance. In just 3 years, our freshman on-track rate rose from 71% …to 84%... Attendance rates also improved, growing 6% in just one year and outpacing most of the state of Oregon…Our staff retention rate remains close to 90% and I contribute our ability to retain highly qualified, compassionate and caring teachers to the work Mark has done to make Newberg Nation a better place.”
Jostens rep Mike Thul added, “He is incredibly organized, smart, driven, compassionate, and personable. Along with being an outstanding educator/administrator, he is also a wonderful human being. He possesses the great skill of always being present. When you are talking with him about anything, you can tell that he deeply cares and genuinely considers what you have to say. We notice that students naturally gravitate towards him and that he is greatly trusted and appreciated.”
ABOUT JOSTENS RENAISSANCE EDUCATION
Jostens Renaissance Education is a framework for building a culture where teachers love their jobs and students thrive in school. Renaissance helps schools across the country achieve tangible results through strengthening educator morale, academic achievement and character development. Founded in 1988 and based in Minneapolis, Minn., for more information visit www.jostensrenaissance.com.