Helena Teachers Urban and Warner Receive 2025 Presidential STEM Teaching Award

Two Helena educators, Sarah Urban and Jake Warner, have received the 2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, a national honor that spotlights Capital High School's role in preparing students for college and careers. The awards name seven Montana recipients; Urban and Warner represent two of those honorees from Helena Public Schools, a notable concentration for Lewis and Clark County.

Sarah Urban, who has taught in Helena Public Schools for 21 years, said she emphasizes hands-on learning in her classroom. “I really like a hands-on approach to teaching, so I try to get kids involved with hands-on activities, whether it be modeling or laboratories or any sort of activities,” said Urban. Jake Warner has taught mathematics and robotics for eight years, bringing applied STEM and technical skills into Capital High's curriculum.

MTN News spoke with both educators as classroom scenes dated Jan. 16 captured students engaged in projects and labs. Students and colleagues praised Urban and Warner for approaches that balance rigorous academic preparation with cultivating curiosity and confidence among pupils. Locally, that combination is valuable for employers and higher-education institutions seeking graduates who can both think critically and operate technical tools.

The presidential awards are administered through the White House Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The recognition is primarily honorific, but it raises visibility for teachers and programs and can strengthen grant and partnership prospects at the district level. For Helena Public Schools, having two recipients among Montana's seven awardees could help in grant applications, attract volunteer mentorships from local industry, and signal to families that Capital High is emphasizing pathways into STEM fields.

For parents and students in Lewis and Clark County, the award underlines practical benefits in the classroom: more lab time, robotics projects, and math instruction tied to real-world problems. For local taxpayers and policymakers, the awards offer a data point when considering investments in STEM facilities, teacher retention, or partnerships with Helena-area colleges and employers.

The full list of 2025 recipients and additional details are available from the White House Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. For now, Helena can claim local educators who are earning national recognition while continuing the hands-on work of building the county's future workforce.