State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Announces 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year
BROWNING—Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, along with Browning High School students, teachers, administrators, and Browning Public Schools representatives celebrated the 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year, Kevin Kicking Woman. Kevin is a Blackfeet Native American Studies Teacher at Browning High School in Browning, Montana. He will go on to represent Montana in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
“It is my honor to present the 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year award to Mr. Kevin Kicking Woman,” said Montana State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Kevin reflects every aspect of a Montana teacher through his commitment to his students, culture, community, and our state. His leadership is a welcome addition to the Montana Teacher of the Year legacy. We are Montana proud of Kevin, join me in celebrating this great achievement!”
Mr. Kicking Woman was unanimously selected after a highly competitive process. On September 12, the selection committee interviewed four finalists:
- Teresa Heil from Frazer
- Jacob Turcotte from Poplar
- Kevin Kicking Woman from Browning
- Tamara Fisher Alley from Polson
The selection committee was made up of representatives from the Office of Public Instruction, the Governor’s Office, the School Administrators of Montana, the Montana Board of Public Instruction, the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education, and the 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year.
“Always try hard,” said 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year Kevin Kicking Woman. “Never give up. Education is our future. If I can do it, you can do it.”
“Mr. Kicking Woman creates a welcoming environment for his class as well as the entire school, by greeting all students and staff in English and Blackfeet,” said Browning High School Principal Jennifer LaFromboise-Wagner. “He also starts our school days out by singing the flag song with other staff and students. His inclusive demeanor paired with high expectations for learning culture, songs, and language make it easier for students to want to try and take a risk to learn something new while being supported to be successful. In our community as well as other communities in the state, Mr. Kicking Woman doesn't hesitate to share his knowledge or gift of song to honor or praise. Mr. Kicking Woman is very humble and does not want to overshadow all the great work his colleagues do for our students in our district, he was very honored to be nominated.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Kevin Kicking Woman, our Blackfeet Native American Studies teacher for Browning Public Schools receiving the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award for the State of Montana,” said Browning Superintendent Corrina Guardipee-Hall. “Mr. Kicking Woman has consistently gone above and beyond his role as a BNAS teacher, making a profound impact on both our students, the community, and the Blackfeet Reservation. Mr. Kicking Woman's commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Blackfeet Nation is truly commendable. His innovative teaching methods and understanding of the Blackfeet Language and Traditions have created a passage where our students learn about their heritage but also feel a profound connection to it. This connection fosters a sense of pride and identity. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Kicking Woman plays a pivotal role in promoting the Blackfeet Culture and Traditions by opening each day with a flag song - singing right alongside our students. He also sends out a meditation for the day for the district and on social media. He shares his knowledge of the language and culture through singing and speaking, not only in his classroom but in any event he is invited to. He opens almost all extracurricular home events with a Flag song. During Pep Rallies he facilitates and sings with other staff and our students an honor song for all our Teams and Individuals worthy of recognition. Mr. Kicking Woman's tireless involvement in community outreach and his dedication to preserving the Blackfeet Cultural Heritage and Language and nurturing the next generation of leaders is truly exceptional.”
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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