Superintendent Arntzen Announces 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year

• Brian O'Leary
• September 20 2022

BOZEMAN—Superintendent Elsie Arntzen joined Hyalite Elementary School students, teachers, administrators, and Bozeman School District representatives this afternoon to announce that Catherine Matthews has been selected as the 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year. Catherine is a preschool special education teacher at Hyalite Elementary School in Bozeman. She will go on to represent Montana in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

“I am proud to present the Teacher of the Year award to Catherine Matthews,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Catherine embraces a powerful understanding of the strengths of all our children especially as they begin their learning journey. She is a true teacher leader, and she is a great addition to the legacy of Montana Teacher of the Year. Join me in congratulating Catherine and all Montana teachers. I wish her the best in the National Teacher of the Year competition!”

Catherine was unanimously selected after a thoughtful and competitive process. The selection committee met on September 6 to conduct interviews with the four finalists:

• Shelia Devins of Seely Lake
• Kris Gulman of Hamilton
• Catherine Matthews of Bozeman
• Jake Warner of Helena

The selection committee was made up of representatives from the Office of Public Instruction, the Governor’s Office, the School Administrators of Montana, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Montana Board of Public Instruction, the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education, and the 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year.

“It is overwhelming and I feel an incredible amount of gratitude for the recognition,” said Catherine Matthews. “I want to represent my colleagues to the best of my abilities because education is a team effort. We have an exceptional team in our school, our classroom, and our community.”

“If you have ever had the privilege of seeing Catherine work with her students, you are one of the lucky ones,” said Hyalite Elementary Principal Heather Chvojka. “Her calming demeanor and unconditional love for her students and families are contagious and humbling.  She is an inspiration and hero to our Hyalite family.”

Visit OPI’s website for more information about the Montana Teacher of the Year Program: http://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Montana-Teacher-of-the-Year.

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