North Dakota teacher
honored at Foundation Gala

Jennifer J. Montgomery

The NEA Foundation bestowed The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence to Jennifer J. Montgomery, an English and journalism teacher at Bismarck High School in Bismarck, North Dakota.

This prestigious annual award recognizes, rewards, and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession, and honors public education and the 2.7 million dedicated members of the National Education Association(NEA).

Nominated by the North Dakota Education Association (NDEA), Montgomery received the award at The NEA Foundation's 10th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala, and received a personalized commemorative gift and a check for $25,000.

In her acceptance speech Montgomery stated, "I am proud to be a product of a great American public school. I am proud to be an educator in a great public school, and I am proud to be counted as a member of the NEA, a force for the power and faith in education and all it promises to our great nation."

A National Board Certified Teacher, Montgomery felt a special calling to be a teacher more than 12 years ago. Her teaching style addresses students' unique learning needs and backgrounds, allowing them to "work on things that matter in ways that make sense to them as individuals."

NDEA president Gloria Lokken calls Montgomery "an amazing educator and professional whose exuberance for the teaching profession illuminates all that she does in the education environment and in the community."

Throughout her teaching career, Montgomery has actively participated in the NEA as well as her local and state associations. She was an NEA Women's Leadership Training Program National Cadres Trainer in 2002.

At the state level, Montgomery served on the NDEA Board of Directors, acted as a legislative lobbyist, and was a delegate to the NEA's Representative Assembly. At the local level, she has been Bismarck Education Association bargaining team member and head bargainer, and state representative assembly delegate.   

Montgomery has received numerous awards and honors, including the 2003 North Dakota Teacher of the Year and finalist for the 2003 National Teacher of the Year, 2001 Milken National Educator Award, and Award for Excellence in Teaching from American Councils for International Education in 2002. She earned a Master of Science in Education; Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude; and a Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Montgomery was among five finalists selected earlier this year as recipients of The Horace Mann–NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. These five each received a cash award of $10,000 and financial support to attend the gala from the Horace Mann Insurance Company.

All state affiliate nominees received The I CAN Learn®–NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence, made possible by a gift from I CAN Learn® Education Systems. The other finalists are:

• Keil E. Hileman, II, nominated by the Kansas NEA, is a middle school history teacher at Monticello Trails Middle School in Shawnee, Kansas.
• Robert S. J. Hu, nominated by the Hawaii State Teachers Association, is a secondary social studies teacher at Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii.
• Katherine Scott Sturdevant, nominated by the Colorado Education Association, is Chair of History Department as well as member of the History faculty at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• Thomas Joseph White, nominated by the Washington Education Association, is a third- and fourth-grade teacher at Lynnwood Intermediate School in Lynnwood, Washington.

The NEA Foundation and the NEA jointly created The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, and partnered with the Horace Mann Insurance Company and I CAN Learn® Education Systems to establish additional awards to honor the excellence in teaching exemplified by millions of NEA members across the country.

Created by the NEA in 1969, The NEA Foundation inspires public education employees to ensure that all students succeed.