Jen Boyko’s 31st year teaching at Britton-Hecla is ending on a high note. The longtime educator has been named the district’s 2025–26 Teacher of the Year, an honor that comes as she prepares to retire at the end of this school year.
Originally from Stanton, North Dakota, Boyko’s path to Britton began with both love and opportunity. She attended Moorhead State University, earning her elementary education degree, and later moved to Britton when her husband, Jim, accepted a job in town.
In 1995, Boyko began her career in the district as a teacher’s aide in the Title program. She soon transitioned into the elementary classroom, where she taught for a number of years before spending the last five years at the middle school level.
Over the course of her career, Boyko has taught a wide range of subjects including English Language Arts, science, social studies and math.
“I really enjoy math,” Boyko said. “It’s interesting because I started in reading, but math is so concrete to teach. I enjoy all of it, really.”
Beyond the classroom, Boyko has also dedicated her time to extracurricular activities. She directed the school play for seven years, served as a cheerleading advisor and has been involved with Math Counts.
When asked what she enjoys most about teaching at Britton-Hecla, Boyko points to the people. “The caliber of people I get to spend my days with,” she said. “They are positive, caring and make me a better person. It’s a positive work environment. It’s soul food. I’ve been very fortunate.”
Throughout her career, Boyko has witnessed significant changes in education, particularly in the area of technology. “The technology, the tricks and gadgets, they make the job easier and better,” she said.
Still, she acknowledges that modern education presents its own challenges. “Balancing all the things that are possible is hard,” Boyko said. “We have so many resources, tools and ways to communicate. Yet we can’t use it all. Knowing what can be done versus what is realistic — sometimes all the possibilities are overwhelming.”
She also believes students today must learn to embrace struggle. “Helping students realize you need to be comfortable with struggle — that’s when learning happens,” she said.
For Boyko, the most rewarding part of her career has been the relationships she has built. “I’ll miss having the privilege of being a positive influence in the lives of others,” she said. “Those ‘ah-ha’ moments in students, their personalities, working through the grind with them. That’s what I’ll miss.”
She is also proud of her own growth as an educator. “I’m proud of my confidence in myself as a teacher, my understanding of students, inspiring and motivating them, and the knowledge I’ve acquired,” she said.
When she learned she had been selected as Teacher of the Year, Boyko admitted she had mixed emotions. “I felt almost hypocritical being awarded,” she said. “Everyone’s gifts are hidden and different. But I was very touched.”
Students who nominated Boyko described her as “like a second mom,” “very funny, kind and helpful,” and someone who “always brings a smile to people’s faces.” One nominator wrote that she “makes everyone feel included,” gives hugs when needed and truly listens. Another said she “basically reteaches you when you need help.”
Middle and High School Principal Carrie James said those comments reflect exactly who Boyko is. “Her nominators said it best,” James said. “She cares so much about her students and all of the students in our building. She is constantly looking at the whole student and not just how a student performs academically.” James added that Boyko’s teaching style allows for reteaching and practicing concepts to reach mastery, giving students multiple opportunities to succeed. She praised Boyko’s flexibility over the years, noting her willingness to adjust to whatever teaching assignment the district needed.
“She is a top-notch teacher,” James said. “While we are happy for her retirement, she will leave shoes that are hard to fill.”
As she looks ahead to retirement, Boyko jokes that she is “finally going to order my kids’ senior pictures” and “make some order in my life.” She and Jim are the parents of three children: Lillian, Ben and Levi.
For those considering a career in education, Boyko offers simple but firm advice. “Be firm. Be consistent,” she said. “Care about your students in such a way that they have to think about misbehaving.”
Though she may be riding off into the sunset, Boyko’s impact at Britton-Hecla will continue in the countless students she has taught, encouraged and inspired over the past 30 years.
