Jennifer Montgomery
2003 North Dakota Teacher of the Year
Ms. Montgomery has been teaching English and Journalism to grades ten through twelve for nine years at Bismarck High School in Bismarck, North Dakota.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
“Helping young people find their way in the world is one of the greatest contributions a teacher can make. Strong, enthusiastic, powerful teaching has more impact on student learning than any other factor. Because of that, top teaching will always be the biggest key to student achievement and I am proud to say that I work with great teachers and great teacher-leaders.”

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
“Safe, supportive learning environments and authentic, interactive learning are essential to student success. I love creating a classroom atmosphere where all kinds of students fit in and feel free to express themselves. I also strive to provide opportunities for students to write and think and read in the world beyond our classroom. I hope I help them live what they learn - through publishing, through projects and through our discussions.”

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
“Completing National Board Certification was a great accomplishment and was incredibly instructive about my strengths and weaknesses. More than that, however, I am proud of the interaction and rapport I achieve with students. My students know that they will be respected and their contributions and diversity honored. When they begin to embrace that fact each year, I know that I have succeeded with a new best accomplishment.”

What's the most critical issue facing educators?
“The politicization of education is a critical problem and is highly destructive. The rhetoric of many politicians and analyzers serves to advance careers and ideologies rather than to promote genuine and profound student learning.”

What do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
“Teacher-leaders and child-friendly advocates need to make their voices heard. They need to be solution-oriented and pro-active advocates of children in order to educate parents and politicians on best practices and child-centered solutions. They need to lead, not follow and fume.”

One thought to inspire teachers to excel
“Teachers change the world one mind at a time. Celebrate that challenge and your personal commitment to it, and then celebrate the amazing students who move in and out of your lives – all of whom can be better because of you.”

One lesson every student should learn
“Every student should learn how to buy a good used car at a fair price. That covers a lot – research, analysis, interpersonal skills, decision-making and self-control. It’s one of those catch-all things that can be applied to any situation.”

Favorite Website:
PBS - “www.pbs.org.”

Favorite Tool:
“The Socratic method of questioning is a time-tested winner. Some great learning happens with a lot of open-ended questions. I also love the Internet with a good projector."