At an FHN faculty meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7, Laura Montgomery was named the 2014-15 teacher of the year. Spanish Teacher Brian Santos created a video showcasing Montgomery’s selection as Teacher of the Year, and her dedication to teaching. That video can be found below.

“It’s a tremendous honor because it’s an award bestowed upon you by your peers,” Montgomery said. “Students are the best part of the job. It keeps you young, teaching teenagers in particular.”

This is Montgomery’s 20th year at FHN, and she’s been teaching for 25 years. After this school year, she will be retiring.

“This has been a tremendous building and group of people to work with, this district and this school has so many talented teachers that are willing and able to try something new and see how it works. If you’re not willing to take a chance and try something new, you can’t grow. If you would have told me in high school that I would sing in class, I would’ve said ‘Not me. Not ever.’ But I sing every year in class because if it helps students learn, then that’s worth it.”

One of the two staff members who nominated Montgomery, Sean Fowler was one of her own former students.