State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen and Montana Teachers of the Year Encourage 2025 Teacher of the Year Nominations During Teacher Appreciation Week
Nominations close May 10
HELENA - Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and Montana Teachers of the Year Dylan Huisken, Linda Rost, Bill Stockton, Catherine Matthews, and Kevin Kicking Woman are reminding all Montanans to nominate 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year candidates by May 10, 2024. The Montana Teacher of the Year award recognizes teachers who elevate student success, empower innovation, and enhance teacher leadership.
All Montanans are encouraged to fill out the simple nomination form by 5:00 PM on May 10, 2024. Teachers may self-nominate through the form as well. To be eligible to be the Montana Teacher of the Year, a candidate must teach K-12 in a state-accredited school and continue in an active teaching status. All nominated teachers will be contacted and asked to fill out an application, which will be submitted to MTTOY@mt.gov by June 21, 2024.
“Teachers support our children in many different ways every day,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Nominating a teacher that has made an impact on you or your child’s life is a great opportunity to express your thanks during Teacher Appreciation Week. A big thank you to all Montana teachers for putting our students first!”
"Being Teacher of the Year is not about being the best,” said 2019 Montana Teacher of the Year Dylan Huisken. “I know teachers down the hall who far exceed my abilities. This is about recognizing those who are perpetually advocating for the community they serve!"
“Being honored as the 2020 Montana Teacher of the Year changed the trajectory of my career,” said 2020 Montana Teacher of the Year Linda Rost. “It brought me opportunities that I never even knew existed and has opened up doors that never would have been available. For example, I will be speaking at a UNESCO meeting in Shanghai, China this summer, even though it has been nearly five years since I received the award. The Teacher of the Year program propels teachers into a new realm to become spokespeople for the profession, and we desperately need spokespeople. We all know incredible teachers: they teach and coach our kids; they are our neighbors, friends, and family members. Teachers deserve to be uplifted and honored for their work. Nominate your favorite teacher today!”
“Being nominated for Teacher of the Year is a tremendous honor and completing the application is a rewarding process as it helps you grow and reflect on the things you do in your classroom,” said 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year Bill Stockton. “Teacher leadership is vital to our profession's legitimacy and the Montana Teacher of the Year program is one way to elevate teacher leaders' voices. I encourage everyone to nominate a teacher you know will advocate for our public schools and uplift educators around our state.”
"Every child deserves to have a teacher who will go above and beyond to support them and help them grow, a teacher who can truly change their lives for the better," said 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year Catherine Matthews. "For all of the teachers out there who put their heart and soul into their classrooms each day, this is an opportunity to celebrate their efforts and show that their work is crucial to our communities. By celebrating great teachers, we encourage a new generation of educators and support those who are already doing this important work."
"Teaching is a blessing," said 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year Kevin Kicking Woman. "Giving back to the community, loving your community, and embracing all the good that comes from teaching our students. Always try hard, never give up, and if I can do it, you can do it."
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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