Stoen, Jessica (Hintz)
Awarded in 2025
Jessica (Hintz) Stoen is a second-grade teacher at Northern Cass School District, a position she has held for the last 16 years. She is a 2010 graduate of Valley City State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She later earned a Master of Education in educational leadership from NDSU.
Jessica received the Northern Cass Teacher of the Year in 2015-2016 and the North Dakota Education Excellence in Personalized Learning Award. In April of this year, she received the Milken Educator National Teaching Award during a school assembly. Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller said, “Jessica’s creative and personalized approach to teaching creates a profound, positive impact on her students, their families and her colleagues in and beyond her school community.” Jessica was the only recipient in North Dakota this 2024-25 season and the first-ever in the Northern Cass School District’s history.
Jessica’s unwavering dedication to education is evident in the enriching, engaging learning experiences she crafts for her students, as well as her relentless commitment to professional growth for both herself and her peers. She is a role model and example of teaching excellence for educators everywhere.
When asked to share a special memory of her time at VCSU, Jessica said, “The memories I made will last a lifetime. Some of my favorite memories include participating in the VCAB activities and events, whether it was themed dances, scavenger hunts around town, the haunted hall, or Grocery Bag Bingo on campus. These experiences not only made college fun but also gave me the chance to form lifelong friendships that I still treasure to this day!”
