Dan Seykora

Rugby Public Schools math teacher Dan Seykora has earned recognition on both the national and county level for his dedication to students and the classroom.

In January, Seykora received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, one of the highest honors for educators in the United States.

Presented by then President Joe Biden, the award recognizes his more than two decades of inspiring students to succeed in math. Seykora currently teaches nearly 100 students each day, focusing on building confidence and mastery in the subject.

Students credit his high-energy, structured approach for helping them stay engaged and understand challenging concepts.

Seventh and eighth graders say he creates an environment in which they feel comfortable asking questions and getting the help they need.

Seykora said his goal is to keep students from being “shocked” by what’s coming in class each day, while still sparking those “light bulb” moments when a new skill clicks.

In addition to teaching, Seykora has served as a coach, led professional development sessions and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. Over the years, he has seen former students go on to become principals, teachers, ranchers, business owners and more. He said their varied successes – as well as the challenges some have faced – motivate him to keep making a difference.

In April, Seykora also was named Pierce County Teacher of the Year by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. He is among 48 educators in the state to receive county-level honors this year.

The 2025 North Dakota Teacher of the Year was announced in September 2024, with Kendall Bergrud, a mathematics teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck, selected.