The teacher of the year in Montana is a Browning man

Great Falls, Montana – Kevin Kicking Woman, a teacher at Browning High School, has been selected as the 2024 Montana Teacher of the Year.

According to a press statement from the Montana Office of Public Instruction, the Browning School employs Kicking Woman as a Native American studies instructor.

Kicking Woman will on to compete for the title of National Teacher of the Year on behalf of Montana.

The selection of Kicking Woman was unanimous following an extremely competitive process. The four finalists were interviewed by the selection committee on September 12:

• Teresa Heil from Frazer
• Jacob Turcotte from Poplar
• Kevin Kicking Woman from Browning
• Tamara Fisher Alley from Polson

Representatives from the Office of Public Instruction, the Governor’s Office, the Montana Board of Public Instruction, the Montana School Administrators Association, the Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education, and the 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year comprised the selection committee.

“Always try hard,” said Kicking Woman. “Never give up. Education is our future. If I can do it, you can do it.”

Montana State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said in a news release, “Kevin reflects every aspect of a Montana teacher through his commitment to his students, culture, community, and our state. His leadership is a welcome addition to the Montana Teacher of the Year legacy. We are Montana proud of Kevin, join me in celebrating this great achievement!”

“Mr. Kicking Woman creates a welcoming environment for his class as well as the entire school, by greeting all students and staff in English and Blackfeet. His inclusive demeanor paired with high expectations for learning culture, songs, and language make it easier for students to want to try and take a risk to learn something new while being supported to be successful,” Browning High School Principal Jennifer LaFromboise-Wagner said in the news release. “Mr. Kicking Woman is very humble and does not want to overshadow all the great work his colleagues do for our students in our district, he was very honored to be nominated.”