Gov. Kelly Armstrong (from left), 2027 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Brian Schneider and State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier pose for a photo in the Capitol's Memorial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (photo provided)
Brian Schneider, an agricultural education teacher at Napoleon Public School, has been named North Dakota’s 2027 Teacher of the Year, Gov. Kelly Armstrong and State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier announced jointly on Thursday.
Schneider, who has taught agricultural education for 40 years, including 35 years at Napoleon Public School, instructs students in grades 7-12 in subjects ranging from Exploring Agriculture to Community Development. He also oversees the school’s Cooperative Work Experience Program.
“Agriculture is the bedrock of our economy and way of life in North Dakota, and for four decades Mr. Schneider has excelled at helping students build an educational foundation for their future lives and careers,” Armstrong said. “His students’ success in FFA speaks volumes about the quality of his instruction, and the individual attention he gives to each student – going above and beyond to support their goals and aspirations – has earned him the respect and admiration of his students and peers alike.”
“Brian Schneider’s work reflects the commitment and student‑focused mindset that define North Dakota’s best educators,” State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier said. “His dedication to building confidence and creating opportunities for students exemplifies the leadership that helps our schools thrive.”
Schneider was honored as Logan County’s 2026 Teacher of the Year before advancing as a finalist for the statewide honor.
His award was announced Thursday at the state Capitol. Aside from Schneider, the finalists were Teresa Olson, family and consumer sciences/childcare instructor at James Valley Career and Technology Center in Jamestown; Jennifer Nokes, special education strategist at Roosevelt Elementary School in Dickinson; and Dustin Moe, band and choir director at Washburn Public School.
Their work reflects outstanding instructional leadership across elementary, secondary and career and technical education programs. The finalists’ collective contributions underscore the vital role teachers play in preparing students with hands-on learning experiences aligned to the state’s workforce needs.
“We often talk about education in terms of test scores, budgets, graduation rates, and legislation, and those things matter,” ND United President Nick Archuleta said. “But behind every number is a person. Behind every statistic is a student. And behind every successful student is usually a team of parents, teachers, and other caring adults who believe in the promise of every child and strive to make his or her success inevitable. The teachers, being honored as Teacher of the Year finalists, represent the very best practitioners of a noble profession. Dustin, Jennifer, Teresa, and Brian know we do nothing more important as a society than educating our future, and they do it very well indeed.”
Schneider said his commitment to building confidence in students is central to his teaching philosophy.
“I simply have a genuine interest in every student in our small rural school, and I take the time to get to know each student I have in class,” Schneider wrote in his Teacher of the Year application. “Knowledge is power, but confidence is king. If a student believes they can achieve, they will achieve.”
A native of Harvey, Schneider graduated from North Dakota State University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and composite science. Under his leadership, Napoleon’s FFA chapter has earned more than 150 state individual and team championships, three national championships in the Agricultural Sales Career Development Event, and numerous Top 10 national finishes.
He has served as president of the North Dakota Association of Agricultural Educators, on the North Dakota FFA Advisory Council and State Board, and as a mentor to new teachers through the North Dakota Teacher Support System.
Schneider’s selection followed a process outlined in North Dakota law (N.D.C.C. 15.1‑02‑21) involving county Teacher of the Year nominations, statewide finalist review, and interviews conducted by an education stakeholder committee. By earning the state title, Schneider will now be considered for the 2027 National Teacher of the Year award, coordinated by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Armstrong and Bachmeier congratulated Schneider, the three other finalists and all 50 County Teacher of the Year recipients and thanked them for their positive impact on North Dakota students and communities.
Schneider will begin his term as North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year on Jan. 1, succeeding Frannie Tunseth, reading and mathematics teacher at Mayville-Portland-Clifford-
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