LaBar Named Geography Teacher Of The Year
The North Dakota Geographic Alliance is pleased to announce Justin LaBar as the 2025 Geography Teacher of the Year. He was presented with his award at a surprise assembly on Wednesday, May 14 at the Stanley Elementary School.
Justin LaBar is a fourth-grade teacher at Stanley Elementary School. He graduated from Tioga High School, received an associate’s degree from Williston State College. Justin attended Minot State University and graduated from Mayville State University. During his senior year at Mayville State, Justin received the Dr. Nannette Bagstad Outstanding Achievement Award which recognizes students who have completed a degree in elementary education or early childhood education while working full-time, raising a family, or residing in a rural area.
Justin drives bus for the school district, enjoys hunting, and is a hobby taxidermist. He and his wife, Olivia, are the parents of eleven children.
The North Dakota Geographic Alliance was established in 1991. It is a statewide partnership between university-based learning and K-12 classrooms. The Alliance provides educators with professional development and training opportunities. It also provides teachers with resources necessary for more effective geographic learning. The NDGA has a membership of more than 700 educators and stakeholders in North Dakota. The mission of the NDGA is to promote an effective presence of geography in the curriculum that equips North Dakota students with the geographic knowledge and skills to become productive global citizens and problem solvers in the interconnected world. This is very true of Mr. LaBar’s classroom. The NDGA feels that he clearly understands the importance of attaining geographic literacy as related to the future of North Dakota.