Awards
About MEF Awards
The Missoula Education Foundation believes in honoring outstanding educators and students within the Missoula County Public School System.
Educators of the Year
High School
Congratulations to Ashley House, 2024-2025 High School Educator of the Year! Ashley is the Life Skills teacher at Sentinel High School. Mrs. House is a mentor to colleagues, an advocate for students, and a compassionate leader who creates real-world opportunities for those who need it most.
Past winners:
- 2023 – Jess Dochnahl, Hellgate
- 2022 – Milton Zhinin Barreto, Hellgate
- 2021 – Leon Slater, Hellgate
- 2020 – Lewis Nelson, Sentinel
- 2019 – Amy Miller, Big Sky
- 2018 – Tammi Allison, Sentinel
- 2017 – Carla Hinman, Hellgate
- 2016 – Richard Farrar, Big Sky
- 2015 – Leo Dougherty, Seeley-Swan
- 2015 – Tom Andres, Big Sky
- 2014 – Cameron Johnson, Big Sky
- 2012 – Tracy Stone, Seeley-Swan
Middle School
Congratulations to Aneska Elam, 2024-2025 Middle School Educator of the Year! Mrs. Elam is a Washington Middle School teacher known for her leadership, dedication, and compassion, she inspires her students to have fun while challenging themselves.
Past winners:
- 2023 – Terri Daniels, Meadow Hill
- 2022 – Shawn Schweyen, Meadow Hill
- 2021 – Don Griffith, Meadow Hill
- 2020 – Elizabeth Fessler, Washington
- 2019 – Molly Norton, Washington
- 2018 – Chris Whiteman, CS Porter
- 2017 – Josh Hiday, CS Porter
- 2016 – Lori Ann Lynch, Washington
- 2015 – Scott Edge, CS Porter
- 2014 – Randy Zschaechner, Meadow Hill
- 2013 – Allison McFarland, CS Porter
- 2012 – Gregory Imhoff, Washington
Elementary School
Congratulations to Kristin Zscaechner, 2024-2025 Elementary Educator of the Year! Mrs. Z uses a deep understanding of arts integration, technology, and an extensive knowledge base in teaching pedagogy which she utilizes daily to change the lives of the children at Russell Elementary.
Past winners:
- 2024 – Kristin Zschaechner, Russell Elementary
- 2023 – Laurel Kress, Jeannette Rankin Elementary
- 2022 – Sharon Jones, Lewis and Clark Elementary
- 2021 – Wendy Lofthouse, Missoula Online Academy
- 2020 – Jon Fines, Jeannette Rankin Elementary
- 2019 – Kathy Dungan, Lewis and Clark Elementary
- 2018 – Betsy Sharkey, Lewis and Clark Elementary
- 2017 – Michelle Salisbury, Cold Springs Elementary (now Jeannette Rankin Elementary)
- 2016 – Kathy Dungan, Lewis and Clark Elementary
- 2015 – Molly Kast, Rattlesnake Elementary
- 2014 – Bryan Barrett-Catton, Lewis and Clark Elementary
- 2014 – Claudia LaRance, Paxson Elementary
Most Inspiring Student Awards
The 16th annual Most Inspiring Student Awards banquet happened Thursday, April 17th of 2025 and it was an incredible success! With over 180 guests in attendance, we were so excited to honor and celebrate our 26 student nominees, MCPS students in 6th-12th grades.
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For additional event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Executive Director, Shannon Rincker, at [email protected] or by phone at 406-728-2400 x1071.