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
At BNSF, we know investing in education is important. The future of our economy and our state depends on creating a skilled workforce, and we are committed to supporting schools and communities across Montana.
We are 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 $2,500 to use for continuing education or classroom enhancements.
Ryan Faulk
6th Grade Teacher
Riverview Elementary
Riverview Elementary Principal Nicole Heintzelman describes Mr. Faulk as a phenomenal teacher. She shared her observations of a particular lesson he taught on landmarks, “Mr. Faulk built an inquiry-based, self-discovery lesson going far beyond a lesson taught by only a book. He works to create a high level of engagement and accountability for learning.”
Faulk emphasized the need for academic rigor coupled with strong learning behaviors. "Knowledge without positive work habits and behaviors can only take a student so far." Mr. Faulk wants students to understand the importance of focus, establishing goals, learning organization skills, and gaining persistence. Mr. Faulk believes that it is most important that students reach for the stars, instead of hoping one falls into their lap.
As a twenty-five year educator with the GFPS district, his experience is deep, having taught from 1st grade through 6th grade during his long tenure. He received numerous awards during his career. He was selected as the Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year in 2005 and has been awarded many Golden Apple and Blue Ribbon school awards. He has also served as a faculty representative. Mr. Faulk’s school participation goes beyond the classroom. He served on the math, social studies, ELA adoption committees, and the school’s Leadership Team. Mr. Faulk was a softball/baseball coach for twenty years and created and instructed catching clinics. He also coached for Heisey basketball and Boys and Girls Club football.
Coda Tchida
Health Enhancement/Coach
Great Falls High School
Great Falls High Principal Geoff Habel describes Mr. Tchida as an outstanding teacher and lifelong learner of cutting edge exercise science research. “I have not seen students flock to a personality like this before. He stands at or near the top among the higher-achieving classes and teachers,” said Habel. “His nature is to lift people up in their confidence, their self-image, and their actual gains.”
Habel added, “He is a man of character and principle, and he treats young men and women with respect and genuine regard.” Mr. Tchida currently teaches health classes, physical education, women’s weights, and advanced weights.
A thirteen-year educator, eight years with GFPS district, Mr. Tchida has been chosen as an Excellence in Education Distinguished Educator twice. He received the Great Falls High AA Sportsmanship Award in the 2023 football season. With twenty-nine All State Academic players on his team, he achieved the most in Bison Football history. He worked previously as the assistant coach for football and track. Along with football players, he provides outreach to elementary school HANDS programs.
Mr. Tchida believes he has the opportunity to be a positive motivator, providing skill and information that students can carry beyond the classroom to impact their overall wellbeing. When asked about his teaching philosophy he replied, “I strive to be a leader, a mentor— someone who inspires students to become the best version of themselves in the classroom, on the football field, in the weight room and in their personal lives.”
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Distinguished Scholars Selected
472
Excellence Teachers Recognized
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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].