Thirty-five North Dakota United members are among the 50 educators recently named North Dakota County Teachers of the Year by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. The annual recognition honors outstanding educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and service to their students, schools and communities.
County Teachers of the Year now become eligible for consideration as the 2027 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, with the state honoree to be announced later this year.
“Our members inspire students every day through their expertise, compassion and commitment to public education,” NDU President Nick Archuleta said. “We congratulate each of these outstanding educators on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for the difference they make in the lives of North Dakota students and their communities.”
The following North Dakota United members were recognized as their county's 2027 Teacher of the Year:
- Adams: Jennifer Fordahl, Hettinger Public School
- Barnes: Nicole Powers, Jefferson Elementary (Valley City)
- Benson: JoLynn Hill, Maddock Public School
- Bottineau: Chelsea Blada, Westhope Public School
- Bowman: Tyneal Burke, Bowman County Public School
- Burke: Jennifer Nelson, Bowbells Public School
- Burleigh: Amber Pasillas, Grimsrud Elementary (Bismarck)
- Cass: James Urlacher, Discovery Middle School (Fargo)
- Cavalier: Emily Braunberger, Langdon Area Schools
- Dunn: Holly Schmidt, Killdeer Public School
- Emmons: Diana Christensen, HMB Public School
- Golden Valley: Mary Zachmann, Lincoln Elementary (Beach)
- Grant: Kyla Zenker, Roosevelt Public School (Carson)
- LaMoure: Shelby Beethe, Edgeley Public School
- Logan: Brian Schneider, Napoleon Public School
- McIntosh: Wendy Bichler, Ashley Public School
- McKenzie: Else-Marie Westman, Watford City Middle School
- McLean: Dustin Moe, Washburn Public School
- Morton: John Gieser, Mandan High School
- Mountrail: Marisa Bueno, Parshall Public School
- Nelson: Benjamin Scallon, Lakota High School
- Oliver: Shanna Meier, Center-Stanton Public School
- Pembina: Jeffrey Moe, North Border School District
- Ransom: Kevin Bratland, Enderlin Area Schools
- Renville: Kaylee Olafson, Glenburn Public School
- Richland: Addie Overland, Richland School District
- Sargent: Benjamin Ponzer, Sargent Central Public School
- Sioux: Ian Fisher, Solen Public School
- Stark: Jennifer Nokes, Roosevelt Elementary (Dickinson)
- Stutsman: Teresa Olson, James Valley CTC
- Towner: Andria Juarez, North Star Public School
- Traill: Jessica Ogburn, May-Port CG High School
- Ward: Lynn Whitesell, Central Middle School (Minot)
- Wells: Brooke Heil, Harvey Elementary-BM Hanson
- Williams: Lexie Brunsvold, Trenton Public School
