2026 Evening of Excellence

2026 SAM Evening of Excellence
presented by DA Davidson & Dorsey Whitney Law Firm LLP

Thursday, June 11, 2026
Best Western Great Northern Premier
Helena, Montana
5:30 pm Reception; 6:30 pm Dinner & Awards


 

• Keynote Speaker: Amanda Curtis
  Amanda Curtis is president of the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE), the largest union in Montana, made up of k-12 educators and support staff; University faculty, staff and graduate employees; healthcare professionals; law enforcement and corrections officers; and local and state government employees.
  
  Prior to her election in 2020, Amanda held various offices in MFPE and Southwestern Montana Central Labor Council. A high school biology and math teacher for fifteen years, Amanda earned Distinguished Educator awards in Butte and Helena, Montana and Distinguished Alumna honors from Montana Tech. Amanda co-founded the Butte America Foundation, a social justice non- profit and progressive radio station.
  
  Amanda served two terms in the Montana Legislature, where she became the first politician in America to post a daily video update reporting on her committee and legislative work. Amanda was the second woman in Montana history to run for United States Senate in August 2014.
  
  Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Montana Technological University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Montana. She snowboards, mountain bikes, canoes, and rock climbs with her husband Kevin along the Continental Divide near her home in Butte.
   
• MSCA Counselor of the Year:  Morgan Barber, Manhattan Public Schools
  Morgan Barber serves as the School Counselor at Manhattan Middle School in Manhattan, Montana. Morgan has been in education for a total of 7 years. But has been a part of Manhattan School District since 2022, she has been dedicated to fostering a school culture where every student feels seen, supported, valued and empowered to succeed.
  
  Throughout her career, Morgan has been a strong advocate for comprehensive school counseling programs that address students' academic, social-emotional, and career development needs. She currently serves as the middle school's 504 Case Manager, coordinates transition programming for incoming and outgoing students, and leads initiatives that strengthen connections among students, families, staff, and the broader community.
  
  Known for her student-centered approach, Morgan believes that meaningful relationships are the foundation of student success. Whether facilitating restorative conversations, supporting students through challenges, leading schoolwide prevention efforts, or helping students discover their strengths and goals, she strives to create an environment where all students feel a sense of belonging.

• MT School Counselor Association Advocate of the Year:  Kelly Cresswell, Reach Higher Montana
  Leading with curiosity,creativity, and collaboration, Kelly is focused on supporting Montana’s students as they prepare for their futures and pursue their aspirations. In her role as Executive Director of Reach Higher Montana, she leads a talented team of student advocates to help students make informed and inspired decisions about their futures.
  
  Kelly has served in her current position since 2004. She earned her M.A. in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, a B.L.S. in Administration and Communication from the University of Montana – Western, a certificate in Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector from Babson College, and is an alumnus of Leadership Montana.
   
• 2025 World Affairs Council Global Educator of the Year:  Elva Dorsey, Browning Public Schools
  Elva, born into the Amskapi Pikani (Blackfeet) Nation, is rooted in Montana, tracing her lineage seven generations back to Mountain Chief through Antelope Woman. She grew up hearing the wind on the reservation — and anyone who's been to Browning knows it doesn't whisper. This wind joyfully proclaims the land, water, wind, and people have survived and are shaping everything she is.
  
  With a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Montana State University and an Associate's Degree from Blackfeet Community College, Elva has spent nearly two decades working at the intersection of economic development, financial literacy, and community empowerment. She has managed VITA tax sites, coached small businesses through grant and loan applications, facilitated workshops across tribal and state landscapes, and brought financial education to families navigating real poverty with real dignity.
  
  Today she serves as an educator in a reservation community, bringing that same spirit into classrooms and hallways — helping young people build futures with the tools she spent years building with their parents and grandparents.
  
  She is also a creator; Proverbs & Positivity, a faith-based content brand rooted in scripture, Montana skies, and the belief that wisdom is most powerful when it's shared. A Udall Scholar, certified financial educator, and lifelong learner, Elva has no plans to waste moments wondering what is next. She has traveled to Europe and Mexico and intends to see much more of the world — because she believes technology has shrunk the globe into one great community, and that community has the potential to find Utopia through community building.
  
  She knows that abundance without love is empty. And she shows up accordingly.
   
• 2026 World Affairs Council Global Educator of the Year:  Brendan Work, Hellgate High School
  Brendan Work has been the Arabic teacher at Sentinel and Hellgate high schools for 14 years, where he is proud to teach the world’s fourth largest language and its myriad cultures. He was formerly a journalist and translator in the Palestinian West Bank and currently an organizer with Montana 4 Palestine. He was honored to receive the JRPC Peacemaker of the Year award in 2025 and the World Affairs Councils' Global Educator of the Year award in 2026. Brendan lives in Missoula with his wife and eight-year-old son, and he has a 20-year-old stepson attending Swarthmore College.
   
• Presidential Award for Excellence Finalist – Science:  Megan Lane, CR Anderson Middle School, Helena
  Megan Lane graduated from Montana State University in 2003 with a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Secondary Education-Science Broadfield, she later earned her Master’s in Secondary Education-Biological Sciences through Western Governors University. After a brief time teaching high school, she was hired at CR Anderson Middle School where she discovered her deep passion for working with middle school students. Megan has now been teaching Biology and coaching the Science Olympiad team at CR Anderson for over twenty years.
  
  Professionally, her Research Fellowship through the American Physiological Society and her attendance at NASA’s Liftoff Institute have been highlights of her career. She also feels extremely lucky to have worked closely with Dr. Marisa Pedulla of MT Tech to bring college-level phage research into her middle school classroom for more than two decades. In both 2023 and 2025, she was honored to be chosen as a Montana state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
  
  Megan lives in Helena, MT with her husband and their three children, where she also owns and operates Megan Lane Photography. She recently became a candidate to represent House District 80 in the Montana State Legislature, where she hopes to be a voice for students, families, and educators. In her spare time, she loves reading, cross stitching, hunting, and spending time at their cabin.
   
• Presidential Award for Excellence Finalist  – Science:   Michael Poser, Hobson Schools
   
• Presidential Award for Excellence Finalist  – Science:  Linda Rost, Baker High School
  Linda Rost is the 2020 Montana Teacher of the Year and a national finalist. She teaches science at Baker High School in Baker, MT. In her nineteen-year career, twenty-eight of her students have competed at national or international science competitions. Rost obtained a B.S. from New Mexico State University, an M.Ed. and M.S. from Montana State University, and a PhD from Texas Tech University. She is a three-time winner of the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Teacher Award, a four-time Continental Cares grant recipient, and the 2016 National Vernier Engineering Contest winner. In 2023, she received the NEA Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award for Montana, the Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education, and was a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. She lives with her husband and three children on a cattle and poultry ranch in Baker, MT.
   
• Presidential Award for Excellence Finalist  – Math:  Adam Clinch, Capitol High School
  Adam Clinch has been an educator at Capital High School for 12 years. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Montana in 2011, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in pure mathematics and physics. He went on to earn his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction in 2012 and completed a master’s degree in pure mathematics in 2014, also from the University of Montana.
  
  Adam holds National Board Certification and was honored as the 2025 Montana Professional Teaching Foundation Teacher of Excellence. In 2018, his article, Factoring for Roots, which introduced a novel approach to teaching factoring, was published in Mathematics Teacher, the largest mathematics education journal in the world. In 2021, he authored a chapter titled Ancient Greek Methods of Measuring Astronomical Distances in the graduate-level textbook Handbook of the Mathematics of the Arts and Sciences. He has also been recognized as one of Helena’s Top 20 Most Impactful Citizens Under 40 and was named a 2025 state math finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
  
  At Capital High School, Adam teaches Calculus II, Calculus I, and Honors Math 1, and coached the boys’ soccer team for 12 years.
  
  Outside of school, Adam loves to be with his family, share their interests, and stay active. He enjoys soccer, disc golf, golf, basketball, reading physics and mathematics books, floating the river, hiking local trails, and being an avid Griz fan!
   
• Presidential Award for Excellence Finalist  – Math:  Alison Easter, Target Range Middle School
  Alison Lokey Easter is a National Board Certified teacher who teaches mathematics to middle school students at Target Range School in Missoula, MT. Alison has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Montana. Alison has taught 7th and 8th-grade students for the past 28 years at Target Range School and plans to continue for many more years, as she loves her job. Alison was a Montana finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). She is active in mentoring teachers both in her school and remotely through the Mentor Montana program and coaches the school's MathCounts team.
   
• Presidential Award for Excellence Finalist – Math:  Christopher Linhart, Hobson Schools
  Christopher Linhart has been a mathematics educator in Montana since 2008 and currently teaches middle and high school mathematics at Hobson Public School in Hobson, Montana, where he has served since 2013. In a small rural school, Christopher teaches a wide range of courses, including everything from 8th Grade Math to Calculus and technology-based courses. His work also extends beyond the classroom through curriculum adoption, school technology support, website maintenance, and event broadcasting.
  
  Christopher is deeply involved in mathematics education across Montana. He has served on the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics Board of Directors, chaired committees for elections and the website, helped organize statewide conferences and professional development, and served as an MCTM Math Contest Site Director. He is also a participant in the University of Notre Dame STEM Teaching Fellowship, where his work focuses on promoting student thinking, supporting equitable STEM programs, evaluating assessment tools, and developing professional growth opportunities for Hobson Public School. Through these roles, Christopher has worked to support teachers, strengthen mathematics opportunities for students, and contribute to the broader mathematics education community in Montana.
  
  Christopher’s classroom emphasizes growth, curiosity, practical application, problem-based learning, cross-curricular connections, and the thoughtful use of technology. He believes every class and every student presents an opportunity to build deeper understanding, and he works to create learning experiences that encourage students to think, question, collaborate, and apply mathematics to the world around them. Outside of school, Christopher enjoys golf, snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, and spending time with his family in Montana’s outdoors.
   
• MASBO Outstanding Business Official:  Brian Patrick, Great Falls Public Schools - Retired
  Brian Patrick is a recently retired educational leader who devoted more than 44 years to public education in Montana. Brian began his career as a Social Studies and French teacher and basketball coach in Townsend. He then served as a Principal, Activities Director and Superintendent in Broadus. This was followed by leading the Townsend Schools as Superintendent for 16 years. During this time, he was the President of the Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS) for two terms and President of the School Administrators of Montana (SAM). For the past fourteen years, he has served as the Director of Business Operations for Great Falls Public Schools. During his tenure in this position, he created a comprehensive guide on Great Falls Public School finances and district operations and managed the financial aspects of a $98.8 million bond renovation project for the District.
  
  Brian has been actively involved in professional organizations, including the Montana Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), where he was honored as the 2025 Outstanding School Business Official. He has also been the recipient of the G.V. Erickson Award, recognizing the administrator who has made the greatest contribution to the
  betterment of education in Montana and as Regional Superintendent of the Year by the Four Rivers Superintendent Organization. He has also presented at the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) national conferences.
  
  In addition to his professional work, Brian has been deeply engaged in community activities. As a long-term Lions Club member in Townsend, he received the Melvin Jones Award. He has long supported efforts that strengthen local organizations and improve quality of life. He helped establish the Powder River Community Foundation and the Broadwater School/Community Foundation and served on the Board as Vice Chairman of the Montana Community Foundation. He currently is a Great Falls Area Community Foundation board member.
  
  He and his wife Patty, who have been married for thirty-five years, have raised four children, Alaina, Cory, Hannah, and Tyler. They enjoy walking their dogs on the Rivers Edge Trail, traveling, doing family activities and following their favorite teams.
   
• MASN School Nurse of the Year:  Heidi Nielsen, Anaconda School District
  Montana is proud to honor Heidi Nielsen BSN,RN, NCSN as their  School Nurse of the Year (SNOY).  Mrs. Nielsen is a graduate of Oregon Health & Sciences University and has been a nurse for 27 years, working in the Butte/Anaconda area of Montana.  Heidi’s nursing background includes bedside roles in ortho-neuro, pediatrics, OB and ICU and serving various roles within her local health department, including Interim Director.  Heidi also sought out leadership opportunities which included becoming an American Heart Association Instructor and being an active member for her local Montana Nurses Association chapter and eventually serving as president.   
  
  In 2016, Nielsen’s school nurse journey began as she accepted a full-time position with the Anaconda Public School District.  At that time, she was the only nurse, serving 1,200 students and 380 staff members across 5 different facilities.  As COVID hit, Heidi managed the demands of establishing protocols, facilitating testing and contact tracing, and working with community partners.  Through her tireless efforts, Heidi was able to petition for a second full-time nursing position for her District.  Heidi also received community wide recognition with a full page article in a local newspaper published to highlight the efforts of local healthcare workers.  Heidi continues to share her passion for healthcare  with students by serving as the advisor for the Health Occupations Students of America.  Heidi is not only a leader within her District and community, but also has shared her knowledge and leadership skills to her state affiliate.  Heidi has served two terms as Vice President for MASN.  
  
  One of Heidi’s greatest joys as a school nurse was being available to her two daughters as they grew up in the school district.   Heidi values her role as an advocate, healer, and confidant for students of all ages.  
   
• NCCE Innovative Teacher Librarian of the Year:  Marne Bender, East Helena Public Schools
  With 17 years in education, Marne is a Library Media Specialist at East Helena Public Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana in elementary education, a master’s degree in educational technology from Boise State, and her library endorsement from Montana State University. Marne taught both Title I and fourth grade for a few years before switching to middle school library, and currently teaches the mix of East Helena’s youngest and oldest learners at both libraries in Eastgate Elementary and East Helena High School. Marne has spent the entirety of her educational career in East Helena, and has enjoyed being a part of the community and growing school district.
  
  Marne has helped grow Montana’s high school esports scene for the past seven years as one of the first schools competing in the Montana High School Championship Series, with EHHS’s teams winning several state championships over the years. She also started a mentoring and reading program between her schools called the Vigilante Story Squad where high school students read to and mentor the district’s elementary students. She has worked to grow the district’s library Makerspace offerings through earning grants to provide students with experiences with 3D printing, circuits, Legos, and more. Marne loves creating opportunities for students to explore new passions and learn more about their world. She loves talking about books, tinkering with new tech, and encouraging curiosity in all learners. Outside of school, she spends as much time as possible in the mountains of Montana with her family.
   
• MIAAA Athletic Director of the Year:  Mike Erickson, Glasgow Public Schools
   
• Montana Teacher of the Year:  Kortney Douma, Belgrade Public Schools
  Kortney Douma was selected for the prestigious honor of being the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year, among outstanding educators across the state, for her dedication to student success, innovation in the classroom, and commitment to the teaching profession. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes excellence in teaching and celebrates educators who inspire all students to learn and grow.
  
  Kortney Douma is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Belgrade High School. She primarily teaches culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism classes. Kortney also serves as a dual-enrollment instructor for Montana State University and Gallatin College. She provides students with advanced learning opportunities in culinary arts.
  
  As a certified ServSafe Instructor and Proctor, she equips students with nationally recognized food safety credentials that prepare them for success in the hospitality industry. In collaboration with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Douma has built strong industry partnerships that connect classroom learning with real-world experience. She developed the Culinary Arts Pre-Apprenticeship Program, offering students structured, hands-on training and direct pathways into the workforce.
  
  As the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year, Kortney Douma will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession, representing Montana in the National Teacher of the Year Program and sharing her passion for education with colleagues, students, and communities across the state. Since 2019, Douma has also served as a ProStart Advisor, mentoring student teams in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management. Under her leadership, her teams have earned first place at the Montana ProStart Invitational for four consecutive years and have represented Montana at the National ProStart Invitational for the past four years. Recently, her ProStart Culinary team placed 11th out of 48 states.
  
  Kortney’s work in Career and Technical Education (CTE) supports the Superintendent’s vision to strengthen CTE programs across Montana and increase opportunities for students to gain valuable, career-based experience before graduation.
   
• MACSS/MSSA Rural Teacher of the Year:  Monica Mattson, Cottonwood School - Hill County
  I have dedicated more than 20 years to serving students and families in rural Montana, and I am honored to teach at Cottonwood School near Havre. Teaching in a rural K–8 setting has shaped who I am as an educator and leader. In our small school environment, I have the opportunity to work closely with students and families while teaching multiple grade levels and supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally. Rural education is not simply my
  profession—it is my passion.
  
  I am a certified K–8 teacher with a reading minor and counseling background. Throughout my career, I have worked to go beyond the traditional expectations of a classroom teacher by taking on leadership roles that support school improvement and student success. I have served as a lead teacher and curriculum director and have helped author the first phases of our school’s accreditation plan. In addition to my classroom responsibilities, I help support the operation of two rural campuses, including one located near the Canadian border.
  
  One of the greatest strengths of rural education is the relationships we build with students and families. I work hard to create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and encouraged to take risks in their learning. Because I teach multiple grade levels together, I focus on differentiated instruction that meets students where they are academically while also encouraging growth and independence. My lessons are aligned to Montana State Standards and include Indian Education for All (IEFA) initiatives to ensure students experience meaningful and culturally responsive instruction.
  
  I am also deeply committed to mentoring future educators. I strongly believe that “teachers teaching future teachers” is one of the best ways to strengthen rural education. Over the years, I have mentored numerous practicum students, intern teachers, and student teachers, many of whom are now teaching in rural schools themselves. I have worked closely with Montana State University–Northern and other teacher preparation programs to support future educators entering the profession. Most recently, I have hosted multiple student teachers and participated in presentations focused on rural education and teacher preparation. I have also partnered with the Montana Office of Public Instruction to support a year-long intern teacher program.
  
  Being named Montana Rural Teacher of the Year has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I was also honored to serve as a keynote speaker at the Montana Association of County Superintendents of Schools Conference. These opportunities allowed me to represent my students, my school, and rural educators across Montana. I am proud to advocate for the importance of rural schools and the incredible opportunities they provide for students.
  
  Beyond academics, I believe education is about helping students grow into confident, capable individuals who know they are valued. I strive to build positive relationships with families and maintain open communication so that students feel supported both at school and at home. Watching students gain confidence, develop a love for learning, and succeed is the most rewarding part of my work.
  
  My goal has always been to serve students, support rural education, and make a positive difference in the lives of children and families. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach, mentor future educators, and continue advocating for the importance of rural schools in Montana.
   
• MACSS County Superintendent of the Year:  Susan Metcalf, Sweet Grass County
  Susan Metcalf served as the elected Sweet Grass County Superintendent of Schools for 20 years minus a few months when she tried unsuccessfully to retire. In this role, she provides leadership and oversight to rural school districts across the county, including direct support to the Melville, Greycliff, and McLeod schools. Her responsibilities include instructional leadership, administrative support, and she provided guidance and library instruction in her three rural schools.
  
  Prior to her four terms as an elected official, Susan taught junior high Language Arts for 25 years at Big Timber Elementary School in Big Timber. She also taught one year of Family Consumer Science at Sweet Grass County High School. Susan also coached basketball, volleyball, track, speech and drama, and advised the student newspaper during her tenure in the Big Timber Schools. She has held every leadership position in the MACSS organization for two-year terms except President, since she decided to retire prior to her automatic ascension to the President position.
  
  Susan was raised at Sun Canyon Lodge, a guest ranch out of Augusta, Montana. She spent her high school years living on the family cattle ranch at Musselshell,
  Montana. She graduated from Melstone High School and Montana State University in Bozeman. She took the only teaching position for which she ever interviewed in Big Timber at the age of 21 in 1981. She stayed there to marry, raise a daughter Brooke and son Bret, and work as an educator for the next 45 years. She and her husband Remi ranch near Big Timber and still own the Musselshell ranch that the family homesteaded in 1915. Susan has written a weekly humor/recipe column every week for 30 years, and she has published three cookbook/story books. She loves riding, cooking, and writing.
   
• META Technologist of the Year:  Cat Kuchera, Kalispell Public Schools
  Cathleen Kuchera grew up on a ranch outside of Eureka, which, as it turns out, is excellent preparation for a career in K-12 education- where resourcefulness is less of a soft skill and more of a survival strategy. Cat lives in Kalispell with her husband and two children- close enough to still lend a hand on the ranch when needed. When she's not working, cheering on her kids from the sidelines, or serving as her family's emergency tech support, you'll find her hiking, shed hunting, or camping with her family.
  
  After spending the first decade of her 15-year education career in the classroom, Cat transitioned into technology leadership and currently serves as IT Facilitator for Kalispell Public Schools. She holds the CoSN Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) certification, one of only three people in Montana to hold this distinction. Her work spans technology infrastructure, student data privacy, and building custom tools and workflows that support staff efficiency, better decision-making, and district operations.
  
  Her path from small rural districts to Kalispell Public Schools gives her a firsthand understanding of what it's like to be the only tech person in the building, and why an EdTech community matters. Cat is an active META member who organizes regional meetings and regularly shares her expertise with peers throughout Montana. She will serve as META President-Elect next year, where she hopes to further strengthen connections among EdTech professionals across the state.
   
• META Empowered Superintendent of the Year:  Chad Johnson, Livingston Public Schools
  Eldon “Chad” Johnson is an experienced Montana educational leader with nearly three decades of service in public education, including twenty-two years as a superintendent. He currently serves as Superintendent of Livingston Public Schools, in which over the past three years he has led district operations, provided fiscal management during the post-COVID funding cliff, successfully bargained five CBA contracts and most recently supported the charge in Livingston Public Schools to receive a 7-12 public charter that will start the fall of 2027.
  
  Prior to his time in Livingston, Johnson served as Superintendent of Hardin School Districts 17H & 1, overseeing approximately 1,750 students and 300+ staff, while leading the construction of a new public charter school building, expanding the four-year old program by adding three classrooms to the already existing building, spearheading a $4 million community pool renovation project and surviving through the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  Johnson’s career also includes leadership roles in his hometown of Twin Bridges for nine years, Fromberg, and Melstone, where he served in combined superintendent and
  principal positions, building strong school cultures and improving systems in rural districts. He holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Montana State University and maintains Montana certification as a K–12 principal and superintendent.
  
  He is actively engaged in statewide education leadership, serving on boards including School Services of Montana Chair and the Montana Quality Education Coalition, and
  remains committed to advancing opportunities for students, staff and communities across Montana.
   
• MCASE General Educator of the Year:  Wilma Tabaracci, Helena Public Schools
  Wilma Tabaracci’s career reflects several years of devotion to Montana’s children, families, and schools. A proud Helena native, Wilma graduated from Helena Capital High School in 1982 before earning her teaching degree from Western Montana College in 1985, setting the foundation for a lifetime of service in public education.
  
  Wilma began her career on the Blackfeet Reservation, teaching 5th and 6th grade at Napi Elementary in Browning, where she remained for 4 years.  She continued her
  work in northern Montana at Anna Jefferies Elementary in Cut Bank, again teaching 5th grade.
  
  Her journey then took her to Missoula, where she taught at Rattlesnake Middle School for 8 years before taking time away from teaching to raise her children.  She discovered her true calling in early childhood education. As a kindergarten teacher at Chief Charlo Elementary and later at Warren School in Helena, Wilma became a beloved figure in the lives of hundreds of young learners.
  
  Beyond the classroom, Wilma’s greatest joy is her family. She is married to John Tabaracci, and together they have raised three children: Katie Isakson, Bennett
  Tabaracci, and Robert Tabaracci.
   
• MCASE Special Education Director of the Year:  Chad Berg, Bozeman Public Schools
  Chad Berg has served as the Director of Special Education for the Bozeman Public Schools since 2008. Before educational administration, Chad worked as a school psychologist in rural Wisconsin.
  
  In his current role, he oversees the continuum of special education support for students with disabilities aged 3-22. He also supports school-based health services, including school nursing support and contracted school-based mental health services.
  
  Chad has prioritized “connecting the dots” between special education services and district MTSS/PLC work. All students with disabilities are general education students first, and special education supports are always contextual to the interplay of the child’s needs and the capacity of our systems. This holds true whether one is building out LRE service options for 3-year-olds, creating tiered services that provide specially designed instruction in addition to core learning, designing services for students up to age 22, or implementing RtI structures as part of Specific Learning Disability eligibility criteria. The special education team in BSD 7 has taken on all of these challenges in recent years, and Chad understands that any individual recognition is actually a recognition of that team’s work.
   
• MCASE Special Educator of the Year:  Laura Carrasco, Corvallis School District
  Laura Carrasco is currently a Special Education teacher at Corvallis High School, a school community she has been a part of for 26 of the past 32 years. Throughout her career she has been committed to supporting students with disabilities and has worked with students with a wide range of exceptionalities at the high school level.
  
  Laura’s passion for special education began while working at a residential special education school on the Navajo reservation many years ago. After earning her master’s degree in Chicago, she moved to Montana with a strong belief that all students can learn, succeed, and thrive alongside their peers. At that time, inclusive education programs were just beginning to develop, and Corvallis shared that same commitment to inclusion and opportunity for every student.
  
  As a teacher, she works exceptionally hard to be a fully engaged and integrated member of the school community, because of the belief that inclusion benefits everyone. Students at CHS know her not only in the classroom, but through the many roles she has filled and continues to fill over the years; including cross country coach, track coach, Science Olympiad coach, Special Olympics coach, CWW advisor, Student Council advisor, ESY instructor, and founder of the Yellowstone Ecology Project at Corvallis. Many of these roles have been maintained for more than 20 years.
  
  Ultimately, Laura says she believes that enthusiasm for learning, combined with high expectations and meaningful relationships, helps students recognize their potential, value, and ability to fully participate in their school and community.
   
• MCASE Lori Ruffier Award:  Maria Begger, Cabinet Mountain Cooperative
  Maria is the definition of a homegrown therapist! She was hired at Cabinet Mountain Cooperative as a graduate student and "grew our own" amazing Speech Language Pathologist which was the vision of Lori Ruffier! She has a heart for giving back to small towns in Montana.  She has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of kids she has served! 
  
  Not only is she an incredible SLP but an incredible human! She has also continued the pipeline by already supervising another graduate student clinician and grow another wonderful SLP! 
  
  Maria is a Montana born SLP that is the epitome of what Lori Ruffier envisioned for the Montana recruitment project purpose!
   
• MCASE Early Career Administrator:  Shelby Damaskos, Eureka Public Schools
  Shelby Damaskos is the Special Education Director at Eureka Public Schools in Montana and a licensed speech-language pathologist specializing in early childhood and school-based services. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and serves on the board of the Montana Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Shelby has served Montana schools for over a decade and is passionate about oral language development and literacy as foundational skills for positive educational outcomes. Her work focuses on early intervention, systems development, and implementation practices that support inclusive education through collaborative partnerships with educators and families to create meaningful outcomes for students and school communities.
  
  Raised in rural Montana as the daughter of a teacher, Shelby developed a deep appreciation for public education and the impact strong school communities have on children and families. As a wife and mother, she brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to her work, striving to create supportive, student-centered environments where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
   
• MAEMSP National Distinguished Principal:  Adrian Advincula, Bozeman Public Schools
  Adrian Advincula is a dedicated educational leader with 27 years of experience in public education, including 21 years serving the Bozeman community and 17 years as a building principal. He began his career in Vancouver, Washington, where he spent six years in the classroom before relocating to Bozeman, Montana, to continue his work in education.
  
  Adrian’s journey in Bozeman Public Schools reflects a deep commitment to students, staff, and community. He started as an 8th grade teacher at Chief Joseph Middle School, where he built strong relationships with students and developed a passion for middle level education. He later served as an instructional coach, focusing on science instruction and Indian Education for All, supporting teachers within Bozeman and neighboring districts to strengthen instructional practices and improve student outcomes.
  
  His leadership path has included principalships at Irving Elementary School and Meadowlark Elementary School, where he focused on building positive school cultures, strengthening collaborative systems, and ensuring that all students felt a strong sense of belonging. He currently serves as the principal of Chief Joseph Middle School, bringing his career full circle to the school where he first taught.
  
  Throughout his career, Adrian has remained grounded in the belief that “all means all,” striving to create inclusive, student-centered environments where every learner is supported and challenged. His leadership emphasizes relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement in service of student success.
   
• MASSP Principal of the Year:  Jason Slater, Whitehall Public Schools
  Jason Slater has served in education for more than 24 years. After graduating from Montana State University, he began his career as an Industrial Technology teacher in Ennis, Montana. In 2004, he was recognized by the Montana Industrial Technology Education Association as Teacher of the Year.
  
  Jason later moved with his family to Thompson Falls, where he served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. After four years as the high school principal in Manhattan, he became the Middle/High School Principal in Whitehall, Montana.
  
  In Whitehall, Jason has been an instrumental member of the administrative team and has made a meaningful impact on school improvement at both the middle school and high school levels. He has a heart for Whitehall Schools and the community, and he is deeply committed to providing a quality educational experience for every student. Jason is a consummate professional who believes everything revolves around learning and that education has the power to change lives.
  
  Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jason is a devoted husband to his wife, Krystin, of 24 years. Krystin is an award-winning educator with more than 20 years of experience in public education and has been a source of support, insight, and many of Jason’s best ideas. Together, they have three children, Hope, Reilly, and Corban, and are proud grandparents to their grandson, Walker.
  
  An avid bowhunter and average horseman, Jason enjoys outdoor adventure and the Montana way of life. In both his personal and professional life, he strives to embody the values of hard work, resilience, service, and heart.
   
• MASS Superintendent of the Year:  Dr. Laurie Barron, Evergreen School District
  Dr. Laurie Barron is in her thirtieth year in education, serving six years as a high school English teacher, two years as a middle school assistant principal, and nine years as a middle school principal. Since 2013, she has served as the superintendent of the Evergreen School District in Kalispell, Montana.
  
  Laurie holds a BSEd in English Education from the University of Georgia, an MEd in Supervision and Administration from the University of West Georgia, and an EdS and EdD in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota. She also studied abroad at Oxford University. She holds National Superintendent Certification through AASA, is a National Board Certified Teacher, and was honored as Teacher of the Year and STAR Teacher. In 2011 Smokey Road Middle School, where Laurie served as principal, was one of five middle schools in the nation to be named an NASSP Breakthrough School for high turnaround in high poverty schools.
  
  Laurie is the 2012 Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year and the 2013 National Middle School Principal of the Year. Laurie is also the 2018 School Administrators of Montana G.V. Erickson Award recipient, given to a member who has made the greatest contribution to the betterment of education in Montana, was named the 2019 Empowered Superintendent of the Year by the Montana Educational Technologists Association, and is the 2026 and 2021 Montana Superintendent of the Year. In 2022, Laurie was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Georgia College of Education.
  
  Laurie co-authored The Successful Middle School: A Place to Belong and Become, 2nd Edition (AMLE, 2024), We Belong: 50 Strategies to Create Community and Revolutionize Classroom Management (ASCD, 2021), Middle School: A Place to Belong and Become (AMLE, 2018), and What Parents Need to Know about Common Core and Other College- and Career-Ready Standards (World Book, 2015) and has authored numerous education articles.
  
  Laurie is also a national and international speaker, consultant, and leadership coach who provides motivation and professional learning to teachers and administrators through promoting student belonging, classroom management, student engagement and voice, school culture and climate, inclusive teaching and learning environments, standards-based instruction and assessment, high expectations and improved student outcomes, student advocacy and advisory, effective and engaging school leadership, school improvement, strategic planning, middle school master scheduling, and school-based health and community services.
  
  Laurie is living the dream in northwest Montana with her husband Daniel and their rescue puppy Willy, where together they enjoy spending time in their off grid cabin, watching Georgia Bulldogs football, snow skiing, rafting, hiking, camping, and enjoying time with their three adult daughters. 
   
• G.V. Erickson Award:  Rex Weltz, Helena Public Schools
  Mr. Weltz was raised in Noxon, a small community in the northwest corner of Montana. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Montana College and began his career in education in 1994 as a teacher in Hamilton. In 1999, he moved to Alaska, where he spent a decade serving as both a secondary teacher and an elementary principal. He later continued his leadership journey as a high school principal in Forks, Washington.
  
  Mr. Weltz earned his master’s degree in 2006 and returned to Montana in 2012, where he served as a high school principal and later as superintendent in Polson. In the fall of 2022, he was appointed Superintendent of Helena Public Schools.
  
  Throughout his career, Mr. Weltz has remained deeply committed to the belief that strong, positive relationships with students, staff, and the broader community are the foundation of a successful school district. His leadership fosters a culture of respect, collaboration, and excellence in both teaching and learning.