Billings Teacher Awarded Grant for Fitness Efforts
The Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools honored a local educator for his commitment to student health.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools has awarded a $500 grant to Nicholas Ottoy, a teacher at Poly Drive Elementary. The award recognizes his work in promoting physical activity among his students.
Why it matters
Ottoy focuses on encouraging students to stay active to help combat the negative impacts of increased screen time. His efforts aim to keep young students motivated through exercise and movement modeling.
Teacher Nicholas Ottoy has 18 years of professional experience in physical education. He received a $500 grant from the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools and a $150 gift card from City Brew Coffee.
The players
Nicholas Ottoy
He is a health enhancement and physical education teacher at Poly Drive Elementary with 18 years of experience.
Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools
This organization supports the local school district and sponsors the One Class at a Time program.
City Brew Coffee
This company is a partner in the One Class at a Time program that recognizes local teaching excellence.
The details
The award was presented through the One Class at a Time program, which honors educators who exceed expectations. Ottoy models a passion for movement and engages students in consistent dialogue about the benefits of exercise.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: The award presentation was reported.
Culture Shift
This award aligns with the One Class at a Time program's teacher recognition model, which prioritizes community-led incentives to support classroom innovation. It reflects a growing societal trend of relying on private-public partnerships to address resource gaps in local schools.
The recognition of Ottoy highlights the specific community-based resources available to local educators and their classrooms. Parents can expect continued focus on physical activity and health-conscious curriculum at Poly Drive Elementary.
The takeaway
Supporting educators who prioritize physical movement can have a lasting impact on childhood health habits. Parents can encourage similar engagement by modeling consistent physical activity at home during non-school hours.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in local schools on the Secondary Education page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Q2 News (KTVQ).
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