Student & Teacher Recognition
The Foundation is proud to celebrate students, teachers and staff who excel in Great Falls schools. Their success is a testament both to their individual efforts and to the community commitment to public education.
Gold Star Award
Celebrate your child’s teacher! A Gold Star Recognition Award honors a special teacher, administrator, or staff member for his or her dedication and above-and-beyond contribution to education. Parents, grandparents, or any community member may donate any amount to the GFPS Foundation in honor of GFPS employees they want honored. Each honoree receives a special Gold Star Award certificate, which is hand delivered by Foundation staff. Gold Star Awards are presented throughout the year but are most popular during holidays and the end of the school year as a way to thank educators.
Excellence In Education
This program recognizes top graduating seniors, selected by their principals, as Distinguished Scholars and Distinguished Achievers. These students then select the two teachers or educators who most inspired them and had a positive impact on their educational careers. The students and teachers are honored at a special recognition ceremony each May and in the Foundation’s annual Excellence in Education publication.
Congratulations to These Distinguished Educators
BNSF believes investing in education is important. The future of the economy and communities depends on creating a skilled workforce, and BNSF is committed to supporting schools and communities across Montana.
BNSF is proud to partner with the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation in honoring these two outstanding educators with the Teacher of the Year Award. Each will receive $2,000 to use for continuing education or classroom enhancements.
Amber Lloyd
Science and Health Science
Great Falls High School
Great Falls High School Principal Geoff Habel describes Ms. Lloyd as an outstanding educator. He shared his observations of her work as a Career and Technical Education teacher in saying "she goes beyond traditional instruction, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the medical and health sciences fields. Through her partnership with TOURO College, she has created invaluable internship opportunities, allowing students to gain real-world experience that shapes their future careers.”
Lloyd said the incredible potential in today's students is what motivates her the most. "They are bright, inquisitive, and capable of changing the world." Ms. Lloyd went on to say that "Science is the perfect vehicle for exploration—humans are naturally curious, and I see it as my role to fan that spark into a lasting love of inquiry."
As a sixteen year educator, ten years with GFPS, she has taught all levels of secondary science. She has received numerous awards during her career including several GFPS Foundation Distinguished Educator awards. Additionally, she received the Teacher on Public Lands Grant through the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Ms. Lloyd has served as a department head at GFH for four years, and HOSA advisor for six years.
Jessica Douglas
Librarian
CORE School at Morningside
CORE School at Morningside Principal Jennifer Martyn describes Ms. Douglas as not only a trusted person in the lives of her students but also her colleagues who turn to her for advice and support. "Jessica cares deeply about the vision of our school and communicates regularly with community members, parents, and staff to foster the innovative culture we are striving to build," said Martyn. “For example, Jessica went above and beyond expectations by forming an after school book club for fifth and sixth grade students.”
A nineteen-year GFPS educator, Ms. Douglas has been recognized through the American Red Cross “Heroes of Today in Education” Award and Good Apple and Gold Star awards among numerous other recognitions. She has been involved in guiding student leadership groups and has offered her professional expertise in many ways including through the Montana Behavioral Initiative Team as well as serving on the first cohort of Technology in the Classroom that supported other teachers during integration. Most recently she served as a member of the Board for the Core School at Morningside.
Ms. Douglas believes social media plays a significant role in students’ lives, often influencing their self-esteem and mental health. With this in mind, she strives to help students navigate these pressures by fostering resilience, critical thinking, and a strong sense of self beyond online validation. When asked about her teaching philosophy she replied, “Above all, I believe every student has unique strengths. My role as an educator is to recognize and nurture those talents, encouraging a growth mindset and confidence in their abilities.”
339
Distinguished Scholars Selected
472
Excellence Teachers Recognized
148
Heisey Teacher Scholarship Recipients
Support The Future Of Education Through Community Leadership & Philanthropy
The Great Falls Public Schools Foundation partners with local business leaders and companies to make a difference in the lives of students. To discuss how your organization can help, contact the Foundation at (406) 268-6021 or [email protected].