State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Announces Record Number of Montana Teacher of the Year Nominations
HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen is pleased to announce that a record 105 nominations were received for the 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year program. For the 2023 program, there were 72 nominations and for the 2024 program, there were 49 nominations. The Montana Teacher of the Year award recognizes teachers who:
- elevate student success by celebrating teachers who honor individual student strengths and each child’s unique abilities
- empower classroom innovation by recognizing teachers who are responsive to the complex realities that define Montana’s diverse and unique classrooms across the state
- enhance pathways to teacher leadership by creating teacher ambassadors at the local, state, and national levels to connect classrooms to the community
“I am Montana proud of all our teachers,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “As a teacher for 23 years, I understand how committed all teachers are to students and parents. I encourage all of our nominees to thoughtfully complete their applications to honor those who recognize their passion for teaching.”
Montana’s program is part of the National Teacher of the Year Program conducted by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), of which Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction is a member. A committee will review all applications between July and August and choose four finalists. The committee will include Montana’s 2024 Teacher of the Year Kevin Kicking Woman and representatives from:
- The Office of Public Instruction
- The Montana Board of Public Education
- The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
- The School Administrators of Montana
The 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year will go on to represent Montana in the National Teacher of the Year program next year.
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