State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Proudly Announces 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year Finalists
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen congratulates the four finalists for the 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year [vmm0dj30.r.us-west-2.awstrack.me] award. The top finalist will represent Montana during the 2025 National Teacher of the Year Program [vmm0dj30.r.us-west-2.awstrack.me] in Washington, D.C. Montana’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, Kevin Kicking Woman, teaches Blackfeet Language and Culture at Browning High School.
This year, 72 teachers from across the state were nominated by community members, teachers, administrators, and parents. Of those nominated, 19 teachers applied to be the 2025 Teacher of the Year.
This year’s finalists have between 9 and 28 years of classroom experience. The finalists are:
- Dawn Sievers teaches 7th grade English and 7-12th grade Spanish and Art at Power Schools in Power.
- Jennifer Fleek Airne teaches 12th grade English, AP Literature and Composition, and a student council leadership course at Billings Senior High School in Billings.
- Jordan Capp teaches 5th grade at Hellgate Elementary in Missoula.
- Megan Brenna teaches 5th grade at East Side Intermediate School in Livingston.
“The nineteen 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year applicants represent the dedication and passion that every Montana teacher has for our students, families, and schools,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “We are all Montana proud of the four finalists. Congratulations on being chosen as a finalist and best of luck during the interview process!”
The National Teacher of the Year Program provides professional learning and development to increase teachers’ leadership skills. The program focuses on bringing attention to the importance of excellence in teaching.
On September 20, 2024, a committee will meet to interview the finalists and choose the 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Arntzen will announce and honor the finalist during a celebration ceremony at their school. The committee to choose a finalist will be represented by the Governor’s Office, the Board of Public Education, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Office of Public Instruction, the School Administrators of Montana, the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education (MACIE), and Kevin Kicking Woman.
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