Congratulations to Aloha High School’s Sophia Aguirre Named Finalist for OnPoint Educator of the Year

OnPoint Community Credit Union has announced the eight finalists for its 2025 Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year awards. These educators are in the running to have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive a $2,500 donation to their school. Four runners-up will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to their schools.

Among the finalists is Sophia Aguirre, a 9th–12th grade English Language Development teacher at Aloha High School. Sophia’s classroom is a vibrant community stitched together by language, culture and belonging. Student art and poetry speak in many languages and every visitor is greeted with warmth and intention. This is the world she has created for her English Language Development students: a sanctuary where new arrivals to the U.S. not only learn English but rediscover their confidence, creativity and voice.

Sophia leads with innovation and heart in and beyond the classroom. She launched school-wide cultural projects like the annual Cultural Fashion Show, raised funds for classroom resources and field trips and led professional development that puts staff in the shoes of English learners. Sophia is currently completing her M.S. in Education in Reading and Literacy, shaping the future not just for her students but also for how schools serve multilingual learners.

About the OnPoint Prize Educator of the Year Award

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education celebrates educators who embrace innovative teaching techniques that ignite enthusiasm in their students. These exceptional teachers go beyond the classroom to positively impact families and the communities they serve. Anyone—including teachers themselves—can nominate an educator. The Educator of the Year award is given to the teachers who best meet criteria in: