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.
2023 Instructor and District Scholarship Winners Announced
Instructor Scholarship Award Winner - Elissa Zelner, Turner
District Scholarship Award Winners - Creston School District
Harrison K-12
Woodman Elementary School
Board Members and Staff
Janelle Beers
Executive Director
Carolyn Hall, Board Chair
Lake County Superintendent of Schools
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Pam Birkeland
Madison County Superintendent of Schools, MACCS President
Dr. Jayne Downey
Education Department MSU-Bozeman, NREA Executive Committee
Laura Straus
U of M Education Faculty, MSSA Board
Linda Sunderlin
MSSA Office Manager
Curtis Smeby
MTSBA Representative
Erin Lipkind
Laurie Bartoletti
Counseling Specialist
Missoula County Superintendent of Schools, Library Standards Specialist
NREA Hall of Fame
Dr. Claudette Morton
NREA Hall of Fame 2016
Jules Waber
NREA Hall of Fame 2019
2023 MACSS Teacher of the Year
Toni Hatten
Toni has been teaching at Sunset School for many year, a small rural school just East of Missoula. Toni did not enter the teaching profession in a traditional way, rather late in life she decided to become a teacher. Mrs. Hatten is known for her dedication to her students, the close relationships she has made, and her leadership. For more information on Toni and her school, click on the button below.
Montana Rural Teachers of the Year
Laura Belice
Cooke City Schools, 2022
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.
