STAMPEDE 2021-2022
new staff issue
Chris Rawlins, mathematics Photo by Isabel Foley
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
The Stampede
Adam Jerome shares his love for history BY JUSTIN BOLLICH, STAFF WRITER C. M. Russell High School’s new special education and history teacher has a passion for what he does. “Man, I love a lot about teaching social studies,” Adam Jerome said. Jerome said he has always loved teaching history and working with kids. At CMR, he is teaching government, U.S, and World History. “Working with kids was always a big priority for me,” he added. Jerome’s teaching journey started at the University of Montana in Missoula, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history, and a minor in political science. He then went to UM Western, where he studied social studies education. “And now I’m enrolled at Black Hills State for my special education master’s degree,” he said. His first teaching experience in Great Falls was at the Cascade County Juvenile Detention Center. He said he enjoys teaching social studies to help kids understand the past and how it can affect them. “World War II and the Cold War are my favorite aspects to teach. I absolutely love teaching U.S. history,”
Adam Jerome works at his desk on Sept. 20 in room 233. Jerome teaches government, U.S, and World History. Photo by Jack Sparks.
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September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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Tamara
Patterson
A new addition to the Health and PE department BY JACK SPARKS, STAFF WRITER Life is a never-ending story engraved in the sands of time, and for one teacher a new chapter is just beginning. For Tamara Patterson, her next chapter begins as a freshman health and physical education teacher at C. M. Russell High School. Coming from California, where she taught at the college level in the kinesiology department at College of the Siskiyous and California State University, Chico, and as a teacher at an elementary school, this is her first year teaching at CMR. “We moved here last year. My husband also teaches in the same department at CMR, and he got hired here and I got hired at Sacajawea, so I taught fourth grade last year at Sac,” Patterson said. Patterson is married to Tim Patterson, and they have three children. But teaching at this high school is not all she does. Along with caring for her family, she teaches at Peak Fitness as a professional yoga instructor. “I am a master yoga teacher, so I certify yoga instructors and I’ve taught yoga for 20 years. So not only do I have my own practice that I am very happy [with] when I’m doing that regularly, but I also teach others,” she said. Patterson graduated from Chico State, and was an undergrad from San Diego State. She met Tim Patterson at Chico State, where he was studying strength and
conditioning, and she was doing physical therapy. “So we would argue the research, because I was all about resting and rehab, and he was about pushing the body and grit and so opposites attract, I guess. Now here we are,” she said. Yoga and aerobics has been a massive part of Patterson’s life for a long time. She started teaching aerobics when she was 16 years old at her local gym. By the time she was 18, she had earned her personal training certificate. Using it as a way to make money, she continued in that line of work through college. “As I was going into college, I think I just very organically always loved sharing what helped me with my health with other people,” she said. Patterson’s dad was a doctor, and she always attended his lectures. She took a lot of inspiration from him and would use him as a model when trying to make her classes fun, memorable, and “silly and engaging.” “He’s one of these teachers where he would take the most complicated and physiological molecular concepts, but he’d break it down in a way that was so silly and fun and engaging. And I just remember how people would pick up these really crazy things that were hard to understand so easily.”
Patterson watches her freshman PE class run laps on Sept. 15. Photo by Jack Sparks.
Patterson answers a student’s question during class on Sep 15th 2021. Photo by Jack Sparks
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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The Stampede
STEPHANIE DIGIULIO
NEW TO CMR
BY KERRIGAN EDWARDS, EDITOR IN CHIEF Although she isn’t a stranger in the district, Stephanie Digiulio is the new Charles M. Russell psychologist who is working to help students become more comfortable and adapted to their environments. Psychology was not the initial path in Digiulio’s life, and this change of direction caused her to be involved in the college system a little bit longer than usual. “I had a background in Spanish and International Studies for undergraduates, which had nothing to do with school psychology,” she said. In a change of direction, Digiulio ended up earning her master’s and specialist’s degree through Idaho State University. This was a three-year program that prepared her to be a school psychologist. Because Montana was close enough to Idaho for it to be a viable option, Digiulio said she chose Great Falls out of her limited options of employment. Although she hasn’t been involved with high schools in a few years, Digulio’s training put her in a high school environment that helped prepare her for working at CMR. “My practicum in Idaho was actually in the high school. So I did have some high school experience,” she said. “But yeah, it’s nice to be around some older students and see what that’s like, and it’s a little quieter so far.”
BY KERRIGAN EDWARDS, EDITOR IN CHIEF
“The only stuff I really didn’t do online was the stuff that transferred It can be a challenge to manage many things at once, but a new face from when I was going to school [for] pre-veterinary medicine,” Moultray said. to Charles M. Russell is doing just that. Math teacher Malary Moultray is fully immersing herself in the teaching “Doing [school] online takes a lot more motivation, but it also was really nice because I was able to be flexible.” experience this year. Moultray can sympathize with students Moultray is not only working at CMR, but who struggle with working online for this also at Great Falls High, and as an online reason. educator. “It’s a challenge. But having done it myself, “Doing [school] online takes a lot more motivation, but it also was really I can relate to the struggles that go with it,” nice because I was able to be flexible,” she said. Like online learning, teaching in the she said. classroom can be a struggle as well. To Prior to becoming a math confirm that all students understand the teacher, Moultray went to school for an material in their own way, teachers have to entirely different field. “I went to college to be a become creative. Learning through the same methods is not veterinarian and pre-veterinary medicine. Malary Moultray always effective, so Moultray makes sure And then I realized that that wasn’t what I that she teaches multiple ways to solve a problem. wanted to do,” Moultray said. “I’d say that the rules of math never change. But how we use those After discussing her future with a friend, it was evident that becoming an educator was the right move. Moultray finished her math studies online, rules can change.” which led to helping her in her job now.
“I’d say that the rules of math never change. But how we use those rules can change.”
MALARY MOULTRAY
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
Laura
Rawlins New teacher Laura Rawlins appreciates CMR By Jess Moore, STaff Writer
One new teacher at C. M. Russell High School wants to motivate kids to do math. “Math is the subject most students dislike,” Laura Rawlins said, adding that she is motivated to get the students to somewhat like the subject. “In college is when the light bulb turned on for math,” she said. Sometimes people just need something to peak the interest of a subject in order for it to click. She doesn’t want to teach elementary school, “I observed a 3rd grade class,”she said. Rawlins wonders if it’s because they were too rambunctious, just too chatty, or maybe just trying to communicate with the students wasn’t easy. “Can have adult conversations with the students,” Rawlings said. So middle school and high School is where a teacher could have adult conversations. With the students so they can comprehend and understand the material better.
Laura Rawlings helps student with math Sept. 21. Photo by Jess Moore.
The Stampede
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September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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“It’s a big school, and I feel like people are much more into the school traditions and things like that.”
Chris Rawlins Mathematics
Teacher strives to encourage students BY ISABEL FOLEY, PHTO EDITOR or some students, their biggest academic struggle presents itself in the mathematics classroom. One new teacher aims to help them succeed. “A lot of it is a confidence issue, where I try to try to break things down as simple as I possibly can. And I really like working individually with students because everyone does think differently, even though we kind of have a fixed route to find the solution,” Chris Rawlins said. “So I do really enjoy working with students individually so I can explain things in a way that they will understand.” He said that one of his main goals is having his more math adverse students learn to tolerate the subject. Rawlins said his love of math comes from having a fixed answer. “For me, writing a paper is very difficult because I have no idea
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“I like math because it always has a fixed set of steps.”
where to start. I don’t like the wide open possibilities, so I like math because it always has a fixed set of steps,” he said. Rawlins said that he was inspired to begin teaching because of his career in the military as a flight instructor. “I really enjoyed the teaching aspect,” he said. Rawlins said that this is his third year teaching and in the past he taught in Bozeman. So far at CMR he said that the school has a lot more school spirit making for a fun environment, whereas at the last school he taught at Rawlins said that they would win a championship and not care because they expected to win. “It’s a big school, and I feel like people are much more into the school traditions and things like that.”
Chris Rawlins works out math problem on the board on Sept 16. This is Rawlins third year teaching math.
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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Jordan Clutter
Clutter grades pin cushion in room 221 on Sept. 16. Photo by Marissa McMickle.
Great Falls High graduate finds herself across the river BY MARISSA MCMICKLE, EDITOR Finding what you want to do in life isn’t always a straight path. For C.M. Russell High School’s new family consumer science teacher Jordan Clutter, nothing was set in stone. “You’re not going to know right away. Sometimes it can take years to find out what you want to do,” Clutter said. Clutter is in her first official year of teaching, but she was a long-term substitute at Great Falls High School. She originally went to college to pursue a nursing degree, but after her first year, Clutter knew that wasn’t the path she wanted to take. “I first realized I wanted to be a teacher after my freshman year of college in Iowa,” she said. “Teaching was kind of a no-brainer.” When she came back to Montana after her freshman year, Clutter said she decided she wanted to get her bachelor’s degree in history and then eventually earn her master’s. “I always loved history. I have had some truly amazing history educators across the board,” she said. Finding a history job was difficult since it’s competitive, so she got into something she’s done for years. “Sewing, crocheting, cooking -- those are all things I’ve done since the time I was a little girl, so it’s just a really good fit and they’re all things I love and enjoy doing,” she said. Clutter is now teaching child development, fashion design and construction, along with two sections of Culinary Arts 1-2 at the end of the day. Later in the year the students will be learning how to use a vinyl machine and the heat press so they can make their own shirts.
Jordan Clutter wraps cinnamon rolls on Spet. 22 for her seventh period cooking class. Photo by Marissa McMickle.
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
The Stampede
Dennis Pierce
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Pierce aims to see his students succeed. BY JORDAN CLARK, STAFF WRITER When thinking about his students, teacher Dennis Pierce has one major goal on his mind. “To get kids to succeed, that’s the only reason I do this, ” Pierce said. Pierce is in his first year at C.M. Russell High School, and he is teaching special education. He graduated from Grand Canyon University with a theology and ethics degree. Teaching and working with young adults, however, is nothing new for him. He went on to do youth work in Chicago teaching at the
Dennis Pierce assists student with homework on Sept. 22 in room 225. Pierce used to work with kids in Chicago and has subbed at CMR the past few years. Photo by Isabel Foley
schools primary prevention. Pierce added that he taught at a detention school for six years. “I like working with kids,” he said. When he moved to Montana, he was a substitute teacher for Great Falls Public Schools. He also said that he taught U.S. History, Government, and Montana Government for the district as well. Although Pierce specializes in special education this year, he said he loves helping students with any subject they need help with, even if he doesn’t have the students in class. “A bunch of them come in from lunch to
study.” Pierce has a big heart for kids and he believes that “they will do great things if they focus on education.” After all, he does this to help kids succeed. Pierce enjoys his new environment and he likes the kids he gets to work with. “I like CMR, I like the kids here.”
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
The Stampede
New teacher gets motivated by trying to make a difference
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BY MADISON MCMURPHEY, STAFF WRITER One of this year’s new Rustler staff members is no stranger to the classroom, but her role in the classroom has changed. Jody Knutson is a new special education teacher, and this is her first year teaching, but she has been in the district subbing for seven years. She came to Great Falls from Michigan ,where she was born. She did collage online where she studied at her own pace. She said her students inspire her to come to work every day. “I look forward to seeing them every day,” she said The hardest part about being a teacher, Knutson said, is time management and having the plans ready and making sure that her lessons are in order. “Lesson planning, grading papers, getting everything in the grade
book. That’s the hardest part,” she said. However, depending on the day and the subject her students are happy she is here, she added. “Some students are happy to see me’,” Knutson said. Besides her love for teaching, she lives her family. Knutson has two kids and a lot of pets. During her school years, she didn’t do anything that involved her in the spotlight. That is why she thinks it’s so funny that she’s a teacher.
JodyKnutson
Jody Knutson ready to go to bus duty on Sept.15 near room 225. Knutson is a SEDR. Photo by Madison McMurphey.
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
The Stampede
P.E./health
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David
Leitz
New gym teacher gets ready for his first year at CMR BY DAVID CASE, STAFF WRITER CMR’s new gym teacher is ready for the 20212022 school year. This is David Lietz’s first year teaching at C. M. Russell High School, but it is his seventh year in the profession. Lietz, who teaches freshman physical education and health, said that he loves working with high school students. “I love knowledge, and I love sharing knowledge. I have a passion for what I teach,” he said. Lietz has also been coaching since 2010. During the fall, he coaches football. His goals for this year are to “build relationships with my students and continue to grow in my trade.”
David Lietz sits on the bleachers in the fieldhouse during his prep period on Sept. 16. Photo by Jack Sparks.
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
NATASHA
KEENE The Stampede
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Virginian moves to Big Sky By Kayla Country Muston, Staff Writer to teach English
New Rustler teacher Natasha Keene is devoted to the subject of English, but there is one thing about her job she admits that she does not enjoy. She does not like grading essays. Keene moved from Virginia to Great Falls to join the C.M. Russell High School English department. Prior to coming to Montana, Keene worked as a middle school teacher in Virginia. She also attended Virginia College and was on the newspaper staff. She enjoys being around her students, helping them, and guiding them towards the future. As an English teacher, some of her favorite hobbies are reading and writing. Keene loves being a part of a larger school, because it’s fun to see the school spirit and relationships develop. Her goal here at CMR is to encourage students to love to read, and help students be successful in the years to come.
Natasha Keene teaches an English Class on Sept. 16 in room 314. Photo by Kayla Muston.
English
BY KAYLA MUSTON, STAFF WRITER
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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The Stampede
Hannah
Sutton
Math teacher brings experience to new job BY EMILY CARTER, STAFF WRITER
Hannah Sutton helps students during 7th period geometry on Sept. 22. Photos by Emily Carter.
Coming into the Rustler community, Hannah Sutton is greeted with open arms. “I’ve had a pretty good experience so far and everyone’s really helpful and positive, so as a new teacher that is really, really nice to come into,” Sutton said. She has specialized in mathematics, but when she started college she was a chemistry major. After helping out in the tutoring center, she changed her major and her plans. She was inspired to teach math, and this year she has algebra 1, algebra prep and geometry classes. “I just decided that I liked it so much that that’s what I decided to switch into, and I don’t regret it at all,” she said.
Even though she changed her mind in college, she said she still wanted to teach young adults in the community. Before coming to Great Falls, she taught for seven years -first at a middle school in Pinedale, Wyoming, for three years, and then at Sentinel High School in Missoula for four years. “It’s been a rewarding career,” she said, adding that the one thing that she enjoys the most is the students that she spends her day with. Teaching is an interest that she did not turn down, and it has encouraged her to grow. Sutton said she has a lot of pride being part of the Great Falls and school community.
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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The Stampede
NEW ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL JOINS CMR STAFF
Durbin Watson
By CJ Kiernan, Staff Writer
Durbin Watson is working in her office on Sept. 22 while displaying Rustler memorabilia. Photo by CJ Kiernan
C. M. Russell High School is home to two new administrators this year, and one of them brings experience from both middle schools and an elementary school. Durbin Watson has joined the CMR administrative team in an Associate Principal position. While this job will be a new experience for her, it’s not her first time working within Great Falls Public Schools. In total, she has 13 years of experience teaching and student advocating at North Middle School, East Middle School, and Lincoln Elementary School. So far, going into her first year at CMR, Watson has said that the school is “very welcoming, and that the administrative team is great. She also said she has “really enjoyed interacting with students she had at North” Watson’s job will entail overseeing Rustler Beginnings, homecoming, graduation, and leap up day. Amongst all these things, she said her main goals are getting to know the building and the staff, disciplining attendance problems, and “provide support [to students] when needed”. She is just excited to be here and get to know the “ins and outs of the job from others around [her]”.
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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Birkett
a s s y l A
BY ASHLEY ROMAN , STAFF WRITER There are 19 new staff members at Charles M. Russell High School this year, but there is one in particular who wants to inspire students with the subject she loves. “I really want science to be fun for my students,” Alyssa Birkett, who teaches biology, said. Birkett said she came to the science department this year a little nervous, but her students have made her comfortable by asking questions. “I get excited when the students ask me about what we’re doing,” Birkett said. Coming from Michigan, where she taught 7th graders, Birkett recently moved to Great Falls with her fiance, who is in the Air Force. She said she aims to show students the range of different types of science. She currently teaches biology. Birkett went to North Central Michigan College, her favorite science to study is biology.
Alyssa Birkett teahces biology in room 318 and now lives in Great falls, Montana. Photo by Ashley Roman.
September 24, 2021 Rustlernews.com
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Maureen Thompson
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BY AMILLIA THREADGILL, STAFF WRITER
Taking a big step into high school from middle school was a big change for Maureen Thompson. Going from teaching at middle school for 10 long years, Thompson decided she would like to take a step into the high school education environment. “I am getting used to the structure of high school where it is by department, versus middle school where interdisciplinary teams are a large focus,” Thompson said. Thompson said she is looking forward to the science content that she will be teaching this year. She is looking forward to collaborating with the other science teachers in the department and sharing lesson plans and lab ideas. One thing she is excited about is getting to share her passion for biology with her students and to help them develop their scientific skills and knowledge. She said she is feeling welcomed by all of the staff and the students. They have been very friendly and super supportive of her in her transfer to a new school. Thompson said she is enjoying getting to know everyone and is thankful for the kindness that has been shown to her so far. In her free time, she likes to take pictures and spend time with her husband and all of her pets. She has two dogs, two guinea pigs, and 14 ducks. They moved to Montana two years ago for her husband’s job. On the weekends and during
Maureenn Thompson teaches biology in room 223. It’s her first year at CMR. Photo by Amillia Threadgill .
Biology
school breaks, they like to travel around the state and visit parks, lakes, cities, and go cross country skiing in the winter. She also likes to go back to the DC area to visit her family and to Hawaii to visit her family and friends, she added. Thompson chose to come to CMR because she spent 10 years teaching middle school in North Carolina and Virginia before moving to Montana. When she heard about a biology position opening up at CMR, she applied because she wanted to try teaching something new. She also visited CMR when she first moved to Montana because she used to administer the ASVAB test. While she was at CMR, the students and staff were welcoming, and she immediately loved the school. She said she knew that she had to apply for the biology position and it would be a great fit for her.