Bill Stockton, a science teacher at Arlee High School, is among four finalists for the 2021 Montana Teacher of the Year award.

The selected candidate will go on to represent Montana in the 2022 National Teacher of the Year competition in Washington, D.C., according to a statement from Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen.

Stockton, a native of Idaho, is in his 14th year of teaching and 12th at Arlee High School. He teaches biology, AP biology, physics and principles of health science. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in science education at Montana State University. He was a recipient of the 2020 Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education for All.

The three other finalists are Brianna Saltenberger of Anaconda, Steffani Grogan of Forsyth and Christina Pavlovich of Livingston.

A finalist will be designated by the selection committee on Sept. 21 and announced by Superintendent Arntzen shortly thereafter.