Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Welcomes Montana’s 2021 Teacher of the Year Kristi Borge

• February 12 2021

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Welcomes Montana’s

2021 Teacher of the Year Kristi Borge

February 12, 2021

HELENA – Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen warmly welcomes Kristi Borge of Polaris as Montana’s 2021 State Teacher of the Year to the leadership role of serving as Montana’s representative in the National Teacher of the Year Program administered by the Council of Chief State School Officers.  The yearlong program provides professional learning and development with a focus on building capacity in leadership skills relevant to the teaching profession. 

"I am humbled and honored to have been selected as the 2021 Montana Teacher of the Year.” Teacher of the Year, Kristi Borge said.  “I view this award as a collective acknowledgment of the hard work and efforts of multi-grade teachers who serve their rural communities across our state, and I look forward to advocating for students and staff in these unique settings."

“I am honored that Kristi Borge from Polaris and a one-room, rural schoolhouse is representing Montana in the national Teacher of the Year Program.  Kristi is continuously creating learning opportunities, which give students insight and depth of knowledge to help them thrive.” State Superintendent of Instruction Elsie Arntzen said.  “The scope of teacher leadership covers much ground, and Kristi’s passion for sustaining rural communities and developing solutions, which positively impact socio-emotional adolescent development, is bringing attention to the ways in which rural educators, like Kristi, optimize creativity and resources in support of student achievement and student well-being; Kristi joins a cadre of passionate individuals who seek solutions.”

Montana’s Teacher of the Year is selected by a diverse committee made up of representatives from the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education, the Montana University System, the Governor’s Office, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Legislature, the Montana Teacher of the Year Alumni Association, and local school administrators, and teachers.  This is a comprehensive group committed to excellence in education and the advancement of the teaching profession.  Kristi Borge is representative of Montana’s pursuit of putting every student first.

Visit the 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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