North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler on Thursday celebrated 46 exceptional educators who have been named County Teachers of the Year, recognizing their outstanding contributions to students, schools, and communities across the state.
“These remarkable teachers have earned the admiration of their peers, students, and families for their dedication and excellence,” said Baesler. “They represent the best of North Dakota education, and all North Dakotans should be grateful for their tireless efforts to shape the next generation of citizens.”
The 2025 honorees, representing 44 counties, will now be considered for North Dakota’s State Teacher of the Year, to be announced in September. This year’s group includes educators from large and small school districts across the state, with Benson and Mercer counties naming two recipients each due to tied scoring during the selection process.
The Teacher of the Year program has expanded during Baesler’s tenure, with the goal of recognizing educators in all 53 counties. This year, 254 nominations were submitted from 47 counties, and 130 educators applied for County Teacher of the Year consideration. Winners were selected earlier this month after a thorough review and scoring process.
Nine counties had no applications submitted: Adams, Billings, Divide, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Pierce, Sheridan, Sioux, and Slope.
County Teachers of the Year are nominated by students, parents, fellow educators, administrators, or community members — and teachers may nominate themselves.
The reigning North Dakota Teacher of the Year is Kendall Burgrud, a mathematics teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck. His term will conclude at the end of the year.
By: DNU staff