Missoula Teacher Earns Montana Teacher of the Year Nomination

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - There was a lot of excitement on Tuesday at Missoula’s Hellgate Elementary School, as 5^th Grade teacher Jordan Capp was one of four instructors across the state who were nominated as the Teacher of the Year by the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen.

I spoke with Hellgate Elementary Superintendent Dr. Molly Blakely about the honor for her school.

Two Hellgate Elementary Teachers Were Nominated for Awards

“Actually two of our teachers were nominated for that award,” began Dr. Blakely. “Elsie Arntzen sent out the press release and that was the first time that we learned that Jordan Capp, who is a fifth-grade teacher here, is actually one of the finalists. It was really exciting because yesterday was our first day back.”

I also spoke with Miss Capp, who was understandably emotional about the announcement.

Miss Capp Said She was Very Excited About the Announcement

“I was sent a congratulatory email from the state letting me know that I was one of the four finalists in the state, and I was here at school, we're just getting ready for the start of the year, and that email came across my desk, and I think I blacked out a little and got very excited, obviously,” she said.

Capp explained why she enjoys working with fifth graders at Hellgate Elementary.

“I absolutely adore working with fifth graders,” she said. “I feel like it's the perfect age group to work with because they are just hitting their independence, so we could really get into the content area, like for example, we learn about the 13 Colonies, and we do a simulation, and it's really fun to dive deep and listen to their thinking and ideas.”

OPI Superintendent Arntzen shared Miss Capp’s excitement.

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OPI Superintendent Arntzen Will Honor All the Finalists

“That excitement of a classroom teacher being able to be recognized out of 10,000 licensed teachers across our beautiful state, to be one of four right now to be recognized as the Teacher of the Year for 2025 is a wonderful opportunity,” said Arntzen.

The other teachers nominated were in Power, Billings, and Livingston. On September 20 a committee will meet to interview the finalists and choose the 2025 Montana Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Arntzen will announce and honor the finalist during a celebration ceremony at their school.