When Montana Governor Greg Gianforte addressed legislators during his State of the State speech in the state House chamber on Wednesday, January 25, two local educators were in the balcony audience. Kylie Urie, who teaches at Harlem High School, and her husband, Nathan Urie, who teaches at Turner Public Schools, were both commended by the Governor during his address.

Although in his commendation of the educators, Gianforte pointed to Montana's 2021 Teach Act, which provided financial incentives for schools to increase pay for starting teachers, neither of the Uries came to Montana via that route. Nevertheless, according to Gianforte, the Teach Act has "helped nearly 500 new teachers begin their careers in Montana."

The couple was invited to attend the State of the State Address as a way to honor teachers who are teaching in some of the most difficult-to-fill positions in Montana: rurally isolated communities. To help defray their expenses and enable them to attend, the Uries' invitation was accompanied by mileage and motel cost reimbursements.

Originally from Ferron, Utah, Mr. Urie is a graduate of Utah State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Education. He is completing his second year as a full-time educator in Turner.

"I was inspired to apply at Turner because it was a rare opportunity to move to Montana and work very close to my wife, who teaches in Harlem. Because we both have the same Agriculture Education degree, we're competing for the same jobs," Urie explained.

Although the couple lives in Turner, Mrs. Urie teaches Agriculture Education at Harlem Junior/Senior High School. She is also in her second year of teaching. Furthermore, both serve as advisors for the FFA Chapters in their respective schools.

According to Mr. Urie, the most rewarding aspect about teaching in Turner has been the immense community support for an evolving program. The most challenging aspect has been reviving a program that had not been operational for almost ten years. Another challenge is living so far from family in Utah.