Nominations Sought for Montana History Teacher of the Year

• February 07 2022

Nominations are being accepted for seventh- through twelfth-grade teachers who have done an exemplary job teaching Montana history during the 2021-2022 school year. 

The winner will receive the 33rd Montana Statehood Centennial Bell Award, which honors the Montana History Teacher of the Year. The winner and his or her class will be honored at a ceremony in the State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. Prizes include a plaque and a $4,500 cash award to be used for classroom materials, field trips, speakers, and anything else that enhances learning in their classroom. 

In even numbered years the award is given to a teacher at the seventh- through twelfth-grade level. In odd numbered years it is given to a teacher at the fourth- through sixth-grade level.

Email nominations to Norma Ashby Smith, award coordinator, at ashby7@charter.net. The nominations often come from principals, superintendents, fellow teachers, or librarians from public and private schools. The nominations should include the nominator’s name, school, address, phone number and email, as well as the teacher’s name, grade, school, address, phone number and email. The deadline for nominations is March 31, 2022.

Nominated teachers will be asked to submit two letters of support. One can be from their principal, superintendent, fellow teacher, or librarian, and one from a student. Nominated teachers also should submit a one-page letter detailing why they enjoy teaching Montana history, including how they adapted teaching Montana history during the COVID-19 lockdowns; how they engage their students in learning; how their Montana history course recognizes cultural diversity; and anything else they’d like to share about their class or methods.

Nominees will receive instructions on how to submit this material, with a deadline of May 1, 2022.

This program is sponsored by the Montana Television Network, the Montana History Foundation, and the Sons & Daughters of Montana Pioneers in cooperation with the Montana Historical Society and the 1889 Coffee House in Helena. A gift of $100 in gold Sacajawea dollars is given to the student who writes the letter of support for the winning teacher from Judy Wohlfrom of Woodland, California. In addition, one gold Sacajawea dollar is given to each student who accompanies the winning teacher to the Nov. 9 ceremony from Mike Collins, president of the Sons & Daughters of Montana Pioneers and his wife Connie of Helena.

Contact Norma Ashby Smith with any questions about the award or the nomination process at 406/453-7078 or at ashby7@charter.net.