Dylan Huisken, the 2019 Montana Teacher of the Year, vividly remembers the first teacher who transformed his struggles into skills, questions into insights, and a blank page into art. This feeling of empowerment drove Huisken to pursue a degree in history and education, and it is the same feeling he strives to instill in his students at Bonner Middle School every day. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from South Dakota State University, where he also minored in Spanish. Huisken also earned his Masters degree in History from the University of Montana. Above all, Huisken is dedicated to fostering a love for history in his students by making them feel welcomed, curious, and empowered.
As the nation marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Smithsonian invites educators to reflect on our shared story and imagine the future we want to build. Middle school classroom teacher, Dylan Huisken, of Montana shares the benefits of rooting his students’ learning in their neighborhoods and local communities.
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