Jamie Matthew of Swan Valley School is Montana's Rural Teacher of the Year

Swan Valley School is nestled in between the Mission and Swan Mountains and inside Jamie Matthew’s classroom, light from the east-facing windows glows beautifully. The wood on her reading loft seems to stand out in the 3 p.m. sunshine.

Students had just been released, and Matthew hugged a former student in the entrance to the school before walking back to her classroom to talk about something she kind of hates talking about — herself.

Matthew was designated the Montana Rural Teacher of the Year by the Montana Association of County Superintendents of Schools this year. The award is intended to...