Montana Teacher of the Year

Kortney Douma was selected for the prestigious honor from among outstanding educators across the state for her dedication to student success, innovation in the classroom, and commitment to the teaching profession. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes excellence in teaching and celebrates educators who inspire all students to learn and grow.

Kortney Douma 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 collaboration with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Douma has built strong industry partnerships that connect classroom learning with real-world experience. She developed the Culinary Arts Pre-Apprenticeship Program, offering students structured, hands-on training and direct pathways into the workforce.

As the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year, Kortney 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, her 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.

Kortney’s work in Career and Technical Education (CTE) supports the Superintendent’s vision to strengthen CTE programs across Montana and increase opportunities for students to gain valuable, career-based experience before graduation.

The mission of the Montana Teacher of the Year Program is to elevate student success by empowering classroom innovation and enhancing pathways to teacher leadership.

Superintendent Hedalen congratulates the four finalists for the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year award. The top finalist will represent Montana during the 2026 National Teacher of the Year Program in Washington, D.C. 

• Elliot Cross Laurel Public Schools 6^th-12^th grade band.
• Jeffrey Ruffcorn Gallatin High School 9th-12th grade band.
• Kortney Douma 9th-12th grade Family and Consumer Science Teacher and dual enrollment instructor for Montana State and Gallatin College.
• Marci Burd Bullshoe Elementary School Kindergarten and first grade teacher.

The National Teacher of the Year Program provides professional learning and development to increase teachers’ leadership skills. The program focuses on bringing attention to the importance of excellence in teaching.