Kalispell Public Schools agriculture teacher Justin Heupel has been named the Montana Association for Career and Technical Education Teacher Educator of the Year.  

The award recognizes educators who demonstrate a commitment to preparing other teachers to deliver high-quality career and technical education. The award also recognizes Heupel's innovations in teacher education and leadership in improving career and technical education. 

Over Heupel's 30-year teaching career, mentoring other teachers around the state has remained a priority. 

“Supporting new, aspiring and veteran educators to build sustainable, high-quality programs directly aligns with my life’s work," Heupel said. 

"Driven by servant leadership, I have actively mentored peers across all stages of the profession, centering my efforts on cultivating teacher competence, confidence and longevity to multiply impact across classrooms statewide,” he added. 

Heupel is in his 23rd year at Kalispell Public Schools, where he teaches agricultural mechanics, plant and animal sciences, natural resources, business, economics and leadership alongside 12 colleagues at the H.E. Robinson Agricultural Education Center. 

The ag center serves more than 400 students from Flathead and Glacier high schools. The center also features a 100-acre working farm that includes livestock and cultivating crops and bedding plants raised and managed by students and staff. Among the hundreds of graduates who have found success in the industry, Heupel said he was humbled by 10 who became ag teachers and FFA advisers.  

Last December, Heupel was one of six ag educators nationwide to receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators’ Teacher Mentor Award.   

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.