Montana Small Schools Alliance
Helping rural school districts meet state and federal standards in educationally sound ways.
Created in 1996 by the University of Montana-Western, Rural Education Center, Montana State University-
Bozeman, Montana Department of Education, The Montana Association of County School Superintendents, and The Montana School Boards Association.
Board Members and Staff
Janelle Beers
Executive Director
Carolyn Hall, Board Chair
Lake County Superintendent of
Schools
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Lisa Blevins
Rosebud County Superintendent
Dr. Jayne Downey
Education Department MSU-Bozeman, NREA Executive Committee
Dr. Katrina Kennett
University of Montana Western Education Faculty
MSSA Board
Krystal Zentner
Montana School Boards Association
Erin Lipkind
Missoula County Superintendent of Schools, Library Standards Specialist
Laurie Bartoletti
Counseling Specialist
Linda Sunderlin
MSSA Office Manager
NREA Hall of Fame
Dr. Claudette Morton
NREA Hall of Fame 2016
Jules Waber
NREA Hall of Fame 2019
2025 MACSS Teacher of the Year
Seth Coombe
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Seth Coombe, the 2025 Montana Rural Teacher of the Year, is a passionate educator and community leader representing Cardwell School in Jefferson County. Seth began her teaching career 19 years ago, with eight years in special education before transitioning to kindergarten, where she has taught for the past 11 years. She also serves as the supervising teacher at Cardwell, helping guide and support future educators. A graduate of the University of Montana Western, Seth earned her bachelor's degree in education with a reading specialization and later completed a minor in special education while teaching full time. Outside the classroom, Seth is deeply involved in her community, coaching local sports teams, organizing youth programs, and supporting exchange student initiatives. She and her husband, Michael, have been married for 21 years and have four children and two grandsons. Seth is a dedicated teacher, mentor, and role model whose commitment to lifelong learning and service continues to inspire those around her. Congratulations Seth!
Montana Rural Teachers of the Year
Jamie Matthew
Swan Valley, 2024
Seth Coombe
Important Documents
Click to Download
Programs
Meeting the Needs of Montana's Small Schools
MSSA Professional Development, Curriculum and Policy Consortium
The Montana Small Schools Professional Development and Curriculum Consortium is one of the major programs of the Alliance. Starting in 1996, the Alliance has provided more than eight hundred day-long workshops to multi-grade school districts and small K-12 districts helping them create curriculum, instruction, and assessments, to meet state and federal standards. Each year the consortium has grown to serve more school districts. In 2020 the consortium is serving over 140 school districts throughout Montana in various programs. The MSSA developed a team of member teachers that continually aligns MSSA curriculum to the Montana Content Standards in all disciplines.  The member section holds full K-12 curriculum, completely aligned.  The Rural Schools Policy Manual is also included in consortium membership.  Language for REAP and Title II grants are additional features of Consortium membership.