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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.

2025-2026 MSSA Workshop Schedule

 2024-2025 District Scholarship Winners

District Scholarship Award Winners:

     Geyser Public Schools- Wendalyn Ulrich
     Ryegate Public Schools- Toni Herman
     Trego School District- Samantha McCurry

                                                              

                                                           

Board Members and Staff

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Janelle Beers

Executive Director

Carolyn Hall

Carolyn Hall, Board Chair

Lake County Superintendent of

Schools

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Lisa Blevins

Rosebud County Superintendent

Dr. Jayne Downey

Dr. Jayne Downey

Education Department MSU-Bozeman, NREA Executive Committee

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Dr. Katrina Kennett

University of Montana Western Education Faculty

MSSA Board

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Krystal Zentner

Montana School Boards Association

Erin Lipkind

Erin Lipkind

Missoula County Superintendent of Schools, Library Standards Specialist

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Laurie Bartoletti

Counseling Specialist

Linda Sunderlin

Linda Sunderlin

MSSA Office Manager

NREA Hall of Fame

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Dr. Claudette Morton

NREA Hall of Fame 2016

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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

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Jamie Matthew

Swan Valley, 2024

Seth Coombe

Important Documents

Click to Download

Combined Letter of Agreement

NWEA Map Testing, 2024

NREA Membership Form

MSSA District and Instructor Scholarships

MSSA Quarterly Board Meeting Minutes

Western Montana Professional Learning Collaborative Partners with Montana Small School Alliance to Increase Equity of Student Services

MSSA Newsletter

Jules Waber Travel Award Scholarship Application

Programs

Meeting the Needs of Montana's Small Schools

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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.

Contact Us

220 North Montana Street
Dillon, MT 59725

406-988-0164

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406-988-0164

220 North Montana Street
Dillon, MT 59725

©2022 by Montana Small Schools Alliance.

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