Arlee educator named 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year
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Arlee High School science teacher Bill Stockton poses for a photo after being honored as Montana Teacher of the Year. Pictured from left are: Arlee School Superintendent Mike Perry, Bill Stockton, Montana State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and (front) Bill’s daughters Norah and Brooklyn Stockton.
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News from the Montana Office of Public Instruction
ARLEE — State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen joined Arlee School District students, teachers, and administrators this morning to announce that Bill Stockton has been selected as the 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year. Stockton, a high school science teacher in Arlee, will go on to represent Montana in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
“I am proud to announce Arlee high school science teacher Bill Stockton is the 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year,” Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said Tuesday. “Bill exemplifies the kind of teacher all educators aspire to be. He has not only ignited a passion for science in his students, but he has also extended that same enthusiasm to all of the student teachers he has mentored. It’s easy to see why Bill was unanimously selected to represent Montana; I wish him all the best at the National Teacher of the Year competition.”
Mr. Stockton rose to the top of the field after a rigorous and competitive selection process. The selection committee met last week to conduct virtual interviews of the four finalists: Bill Stockton of Arlee; Steffani Grogan of Forsyth; Christina Pavlovich of Livingston; and Brianna Saltenberger of Anaconda. The selection committee was made up of representatives from the Office of Public Instruction, the Governor’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, Education Advocates, the Montana business community, the Montana Legislature, and the current Montana Teacher of the Year.
“I’m very honored to be recognized as the 2022 teacher of the year. There have been many great teachers that have impacted my life and I owe this award to them,” Stockton said. “I’m really honored to represent Arlee and the Flathead Reservation. I’m looking forward to continuing to help promote Indian Education for All across the state and other states. Now more than ever, I think it’s important that we promote multi-cultural education. All students needs to see themselves in the curriculum… their voices need to be heard.”
Arlee Schools Superintendent Mike Perry wholeheartedly agrees with Stockton’s selection. “I have known Mr. Stockton for seven years now in various roles,” Perry said. “Bill is so deserving of this recognition, as he stands as an example to staff and students in the role of an effective teacher. Mr. Stockton is always striving to increase his own learning so that he may change his teaching methods in order to meet the needs of the students in his classroom. He is also supportive of the students in their endeavors outside of the classroom, which allows him to have sincere and vital relationships which increases the learning that takes place in his classroom. The students in Mr. Stockton’s classes know that he has high expectations, holds them to high standards, and cares for each of them as individuals. We at Arlee Schools are so proud and grateful that Mr. Stockton chooses to practice his talents here in our district.”
Senator Steve Daines also congratulated Stockton on his selection. “A big congratulations to Arlee High School science teacher Mr. Bill Stockton on being named the 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year. Bill’s enthusiasm and passion for teaching has no doubt inspired countless young Montanans. Bill, thank you. Thank you for being a great example for all Montana teachers,” Daines said.
For more information about the Montana Teacher of the Year Program, visit: http://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Montana-Teacher-of-the-Year.
