A Troy Elementary School fifth-grade teacher is getting noticed for her work in youth education.

Halley Parker, a teacher at WF Morrison Elementary School was recently named the Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars District 1 Teacher of the Year. Parker is also under consideration for Montana’s VFW Teacher of the Year.

Her very proud husband, Steve, explained that the award is part of the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award program, which has recognized outstanding teachers across the country since 1999. 

“Each year it honors elementary, middle and high school teachers who show an exceptional commitment to teaching patriotism, civic responsibility and American history in the classroom. Winners are selected at the post level, then advance to district, state and ultimately national judging,” Parker said. “We think this is a great reflection not just on Halley, but on WF Morrison Elementary and the Troy community as a whole.”

Troy Schools Superintendent Christina Schertel was extremely impressed with Parker’s work with her students.

“Halley Parker was nominated by her students for her ability to connect lessons they are learning in the classroom into real world application,” Schertel said. “She goes above and beyond to provide her students with field trips and projects that emphasize hands-on learning. Halley is a phenomenal teacher with high expectations for both herself and her students. I love watching her connect with students and the positive influence she has on their lives.”

Parker, who received her degree from University of Montana Western in Dillon, has taught at Troy since 2024.

She credited her experience at UMW for helping her become the teacher she is today.

“I truly believe it is one of the best schools in the country for getting a teaching degree. The hands-on experience you get there is incredible,” Parker said. “They regularly brought elementary students to campus and also sent us out to rural schools to teach, so by the time you graduate you have real classroom experience. It turns out the numbers back that up as well since UM Western is currently ranked 42nd in the nation for education programs out of nearly 1,000 colleges.”

Parker previously taught at Libby before going to Troy.

“Before Troy I taught at Libby Public Schools, which is also a great district. I just wanted to experience something a little different and was drawn to the smaller setting that Troy offered.”She said she wasn’t expecting the recognition, but said it encourages other teachers in the community to keep working hard for their kids every day.

“Receiving this award has been such an honor and truly uplifting,” Parker said. “Teaching is a job you pour your heart into every single day, even when you’re tired, and an award like this is such an encouragement to keep going and keep giving your best for your students. I am so proud and so grateful.”

Parker said her students shared her excitement about the honor.

“What means the most to me is seeing how excited my students are. Knowing that their teacher is the Teacher of the Year has made them so proud, and that joy is the best reward I could ask for. I also feel incredibly lucky to have the support of my whole family behind me,” she said.

Steve explained Halley’s work with her class in the 2025-26 school year.

“This has been a really special year for her class. They visited Ross Creek Cedars in the fall, where they learned about the ecology of the ancient grove and the cultural significance of the western red cedar to the Kootenai people of the area,” he said. 

Halley and her students also took a trip to a local farm in the Flathead Valley to learn about agriculture, the history of farming in the region and how the industry has changed over generations. Another trip included a visit Libby Dam, where they explored the history of how the dam was built, how it generates hydroelectric power for eight states, and how the creation of Lake Koocanusa forever changed the landscape of the Kootenai Valley. 

“Halley has made it a priority to connect her students to the community and history around them,” Steve said.

    WF Morrison Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Halley Parker and her students took a memorable trip to the famed Ross Creek Cedars last fall. (Courtesy photo)
  

    WF Morrison Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Halley Parker and her students have made several field trips in an effort to learn more about the natural world in Northwest Montana. (Courtesy photo)