FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2025
Superintendent Hedalen Announces 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year
HELENA — The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and Superintendent Susie Hedalen are proud to announce Kortney Douma, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Belgrade High School, as the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year!
Selected from an outstanding group of educators from across the state, Ms. Douma earned this prestigious honor for her unwavering dedication to student success, innovation in the classroom, and commitment to advancing the teaching profession. The Montana Teacher of the Year Program recognizes excellence in teaching and celebrates educators who inspire students to learn, grow, and thrive.
“I am so proud to recognize Kortney Douma as the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year,” said Superintendent Susie Hedalen. “Kortney’s work in Career and Technical Education shows the power of hands-on learning and strong community partnerships. She inspires her students to dream big and achieve their goals, while also helping them gain practical skills that lead to lifelong success. This award celebrates not only her incredible achievements, but also the value of CTE programs across Montana.”
Ms. Douma also serves as a dual enrollment instructor for Montana State University and Gallatin College, where she provides students with advanced learning opportunities in the culinary arts. As a certified ServSafe Instructor and Proctor, she equips students with nationally recognized food safety credentials that prepare them for success in the hospitality industry.
In partnership with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Douma has built strong industry connections that link classroom learning with real-world experience. She developed the Culinary Arts Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which offers students structured, hands-on training and direct pathways into the workforce.
As the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year, Ms. Douma will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession, representing Montana in the National Teacher of the Year Program and sharing her passion for education with colleagues, students, and communities across the state.
Since 2019, Douma has also served as a ProStart Advisor, mentoring student teams in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. Under her leadership, Belgrade High School teams have earned first place at the Montana ProStart Invitational for four consecutive years and have represented Montana at the National ProStart Invitational for the past three years.
“It is such an incredible honor to be awarded the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year! Teaching is a privilege and a calling, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to make a difference each day. I want to thank my colleagues who support and believe in the programs I have been building at Belgrade High School. I look forward to working with Montana teachers and promoting Career and Technical Education in Montana!" Said Kortney Douma.
Kortney Douma’s leadership in Career and Technical Education (CTE) supports Superintendent Hedalen’s vision to strengthen CTE programs across Montana and expand opportunities for students to gain valuable, career-based experience before graduation.
For more information about the Montana Teacher of the Year program, visit [Montana Teacher of the Year].
Questions? Contact:
McKenna Gregg, Communications Director
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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