NDSU Alumnus Named 2027 North Dakota Teacher of the Year

North Dakota State University alumnus 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 Schneider's selection Sept. 24 at the state Capitol in Bismarck. Schneider has spent four decades teaching agricultural education, including 35 years at Napoleon Public School (North Dakota Office of the Governor, 2026).

Schneider, a native of Harvey, North Dakota, graduated from NDSU in 1986 with a degree in agricultural education. However, becoming a teacher was not always part of his career plans.

Growing up on a farm, Schneider initially considered pursuing a different career in agriculture. His high school agriculture teacher, Wade Anderson, encouraged him to pursue an agricultural education degree at NDSU.

“He said get the degree, and if I didn’t enjoy teaching, it would still open doors in the agricultural field, and that sounded pretty good,” Schneider said in an interview published by NDSU News. “I really never would have pursued education had it not been for him” (NDSU News, 2026).

After graduating, Schneider began teaching in Cando, North Dakota, where he worked for five years before moving to Napoleon.

“After I started teaching and had two or three years in, I thought maybe my teacher was right; this was probably what I was meant to do,” Schneider told NDSU News (NDSU News, 2026).

At Napoleon Public School, Schneider teaches agricultural education to students in grades 7-12. His courses cover topics like food science, small engine repair, electrical wiring, carpentry, metalworking and plant propagation. He also oversees the school's Cooperative Work Experience Program (NDSU News, 2026; North Dakota Office of the Governor, 2026).

Beyond technical skills, Schneider emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students and developing confidence, work ethic and integrity.

“When you build relationships with kids, they work hard for you, and they try to do the best that they can with whatever we’re covering at the time,” Schneider told NDSU News. “I have a genuine love and interest in each of the students I have, and I just work at making those connections” (NDSU News, 2026).

Schneider has also contributed to Napoleon's Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. Under his leadership, the 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.

His influence on the school's agricultural education program also inspired former FFA students to raise more than $1 million for new agricultural facilities. Napoleon Public School contributed an additional $550,000 toward the project, which includes a meats lab, greenhouse, workshop and food science lab (NDSU News, 2026).

Armstrong highlighted Schneider's commitment to preparing students for future careers and opportunities.

“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 in the state's announcement (North Dakota Office of the Governor, 2026).

Before receiving the statewide recognition, Schneider was named Logan County's 2026 Teacher of the Year. He was selected from four statewide finalists, including educators from Jamestown, Dickinson and Washburn.

Schneider has also served as president of the North Dakota Association of Agricultural Educators, participated in the North Dakota FFA Advisory Council and State Board, and mentored new teachers through the North Dakota Teacher Support System (North Dakota Office of the Governor, 2026).

In addition to the Teacher of the Year recognition, Schneider received the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The award provides $50,000 to Napoleon Public School and $25,000 to Schneider (NDSU News, 2026).

Schneider described receiving the statewide recognition as a humbling experience.

“I still just think of myself as someone who found what they love to do, and I love to come to work every day,” Schneider told NDSU News (NDSU News, 2026).

Following the announcement, Schneider received congratulations from former students, including some he taught during his early career in Cando.

“It makes a guy emotional to think that they remember you from that long ago,” Schneider said. “It definitely speaks for the impact that not only I had, but that teachers have in general” (NDSU News, 2026).

Schneider will officially begin his term as North Dakota Teacher of the Year on Jan. 1, 2027, succeeding Frannie Tunseth of Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg Public School. He will also be considered for the 2027 National Teacher of the Year award (North Dakota Office of the Governor, 2026).