Ginny Haines and Marvin Williams

“The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed in these two: common-sense and perseverance.”  Owen Feltham

Owen Feltham (1602 – February 23, 1668) was an English writer, author of a book entitled Resolves, Divine, Moral, and Political (c. 1620), containing 146 short essays.

Welcome to the MCASE link on the School Administrators of Montana (SAM) website. We hope an interest in MCASE membership has brought you to this site and that you will go a little further and become a member of MCASE! Our mission statement is “Leadership Advocating Support and Success for All.”

We chose to begin with the quote by Owen Feltman because, to us, it exemplifies what MCASE is all about, perseverance and determination.  MCASE is an organization that strongly advocates for students with disabilities, however to be successful either as a student or leader in the field of special education the learning cannot take place if the learner is not willing to persevere under trial and tribulation.  In order for children to experience success, leaders need to be persistent in staying current in the field of education.  A leader is one who will relentlessly continue to find the best modalities for instructing children. Thus the MCASE strategic plan has three action steps which we believe will help every leader continue to grow; promoting and strengthening special education leadership, promoting and strengthening preparation programs for educational leaders and teachers, and promoting and strengthening advocacy for an integrated system that meets all students’ needs.

MCASE is a member of the School Administrators of Montana (SAM). This means MCASE’s role is to work with other administrative organizations, regional and state agencies, service providers, the Office of Public Instruction, and Montana’s legislators, to expand opportunities for all students.  Therefore, as MCASE leaders we encourage you to take advantage of your membership by visiting the web site and attending regional and state meetings.  For those who are not yet members, please take advantage of all the benefits that membership does provide including but not limited to regional meetings, state meetings, national meetings, periodic publications, state and federal lobbying network and the greatest group of colleagues in the entire state. We think you will find that special education leaders generally work together and are passionately concerned with the future of our profession.  It is also our hope that as an MCASE member you see your role as helping to clarify the guiding law and principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to speak for what is possible, and to continue to build partnerships which brings about educational change.

We encourage you to become a part of MCASE. Together, we are changing education in Montana!