Lynette Ryan, Jamestown Public Schools

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Louis L’Amour Elementary School Teacher Lynette Ryan was recently named the Stutsman County Teacher of the Year by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

47 North Dakota educators were named as 2022 County Teachers of the Year, and North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler praised them as examples of professional excellence in education.

“Our teachers have dealt with unprecedented challenges in recent years — brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic — and they responded by showing their imagination, their adaptability, their empathy, and their passion for serving their students,” Baesler said. “Our County Teachers of the Year are sterling examples of these qualities.”

Ryan told NewsDakota that it is such an honor to be recognized in the county and state.

“They say you are who you hang out with,” Ryan stated. “Well, I am fortunate. I hang out with a bunch of awesome, inspiring kids and dedicated, creative teachers. These are the people I learn from every day.”

Ryan was also named the 2006 Milken Educator award recipient which recognizes excellence in the world of education by honoring top educators around the country with $25,000 unrestricted awards.

The county awards are part of North Dakota’s state Teacher of the Year recognition program. County award recipients are eligible to apply for state Teacher of the Year honors. The winner of the state Teacher of the Year award will be named in September.

County Teachers of the Year were nominated for the awards. Anyone who believes a North Dakota teacher is deserving of recognition may nominate her or him, including students, family members, teacher colleagues, or administrators.