13 minute read
Educator award
from 06-08-22 issue
Polson teacher receives 2022 River Honoring Education Award
By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal
POLSON — Polson Middle School teacher Amy Williams was recently awarded the 2022 River Honoring Educator Award from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
The 35th year of River Honoring, put together by individuals and natural resource-focused entities on the reservation, was a two-day event to celebrate and educate on the natural resources and environmental wonder of the area. Each year during the event three honorees who teach and/or are involved with cultural and environmental issues are celebrated.
Recognized for “her dedication to students in the Polson School District in relation to environmental stewardship and tribal cultural awareness,” the award acknowledges the many hats Williams wears in the Polson school district. As a middle school special education teacher, Native American studies teacher, Indian Education for All Co-chair for PMS and much more, River Honoring Educator Awardee Williams integrates tribal ways of being and environmental stewardship in her teachings.
“It was one of those surprises,” Williams said of the award. The scope of things others who have won the award have accomplished has been amazing to her, Williams said, so to be honored herself and placed within a group of people she’s admired was unexpected. “It’s a serious honor to have that recognition,” she stated.
Williams, who’s been teaching in the area for ten years, has accomplished a number of achievements in cultural education, traditional ecological knowledge and traditional sciences both within her classroom and within the likeminded community.
Over the last four years she and others in the Polson school district have been participating in the Smart Schools challenge put on by the Department of Environmental Quality. Montana.gov describes the Smart Schools challenge as a friendly competition to encourage Montana’s K-12 schools to integrate lessons and projects relating to resource conservation, efficiency, and healthy schools. Just last week, Williams received word they’d won the challenge again this year, their fourth year in a row. “My students are rock stars,” Williams said.
A key organization Williams is involved with, the Environmental Advocates for Global and Local Ecological Sustainability (EAGLES) Club, was established through the CSKT Climate Change Committee. According to the website, EAGLES is an initiative to encourage reservation youth to become aware of and involved in environmental and climate change issues locally in their communities, something Williams champions in her classes.
An example of student involvement is the school garden Williams and her colleagues started around eight years ago, something she often integrates into her teaching. According to the award, Williams’ students host an annual Harvest Dinner at the school with foods grown in the school garden. Kids planted the garden and Williams tended the garden in the summer with students, when she could round them up. Students then harvest and prepare foods to share with the community at the Polson Middle School cafeteria. “That small groups of people can get together and make change for water conservation, feeding groups of people locally and by thinking about our changing climate and how we can make a difference,” the award stated.
Another major program Williams has been a team member of is Project AWARE through CSKT Tribal Education. The program recently secured a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant. AWARE programs, according to the SAMHSA website, expand the capacity of State Educational Agencies, in partnership with State Mental Health Agencies, to oversee school-aged youth. The CSKT AWARE team is now working on developing curriculum and programs at PHS that will add a more cultural focus. Eventually, Williams said, the plan is to work the program as a culturally focused alternative school to help catch the kids who aren’t as successful in the existing school system while bringing as much tribal and local culture in as they can. Williams will be changing positions to become the program’s lead teacher and will be starting a Masters of Integrated Indigenous Education graduate program at SKC this fall.
“It’s so exciting,” she said of the project. “I’m so excited about really being able to emphasize the cultural values, ways and practices of natural science. It’s so important. We talk about history so often, but all of that is alive and living and breathing today.”
While appreciative of all the recognition she’s received for her work, Williams emphasized that she does not do any of it alone. “There’s so many people in different positions, roles, and departments in the school and community, tribal and nontribal, that’ve helped so much to make all of this possible,” Williams said. “There are lots and lots of awesome people who work so hard and tirelessly, to keep momentum going with it.”
Williams mentioned she also receives support on the state level from individuals in other regions ready and willing to step in and help elevate the educational programs whenever asked. Within these partnerships, as well as the teamwork within cultural committees and Tribal Education, has come the ability for her to do what she does.
“Just knowing there’s so many people who are willing when you reach out,” Williams said. “People willing to not only go the extra mile, but the extra 120 miles, to guide and lead and teach me while I’m still learning things as well. It’s amazing.”
COURTESY PHOTO Williams was recognized for her dedication to students in the Polson School District in relation to environmental stewardship and tribal cultural awareness.
By Taylor Davison Valley Journal
ARLEE — The Western Montana Association of School Superintendents (WMASS) recently named Arlee Superintendent Mike Perry the Western Region Superintendent of the Year.
Serving his second year as superintendent, Perry has been very involved in local education as a past School Administrators of Montana (SAM) President, past SAM President-Elect, WMASS Delegate Assembly representative, and even sitting on Montana’s national AASA Governing Board. Perry was recognized for “outstanding leadership and for providing exceptional learning opportunities for students and staff,” according to WMASS.
Perry was awarded the honor in a surprise ceremony in the new Arlee High School gym by past WMASS President Scott Kinney of Superior Schools, President Jason Sargent of St. Ignatius Schools, and 2021 WMASS Superintendent of the Year Dale Olinger of Lolo Schools.
“It means a little bit more to be recognized by your peers,” Perry said of the honor. “We have such great superintendents in the state alone, but especially in the west. I was very surprised.”
Perry called the experience good for self-reflection, helping him to look back on the things he’s worked on. One of the key actions that won Perry the distinction was securing a $4 million Impact Aid grant to build a new third through sixth grade building for local students.
Impact Aid is a federal program that provides funds to every school with federal land in their district. However, they also have a limited amount of funds set aside for special projects, including emergency construction, for which schools can apply. A tight competition, it was a notable achievement to be issued the grant.
“Nationwide, they only gave out $17 million, and we got $4 million of it here in Arlee,” Perry explained.
Arlee schools will still need to run a bond and Perry hopes that will happen in November. It will take a combination of bond funds and the Impact Aid funds to actually get construction going in the current building market. Perry hopes prices will have settled down by then as well. “Hopefully we can afford to build what the kids need,” he said.
In the meantime, Perry has other improvement projects underway to keep elevating Arlee schools as much as he can. “It’s going to be a busy summer,” Perry laughed.
One of the larger projects will be starting this week, a science room renovation with an H-vac system and fume hood installation, something none of their science rooms have had before. “Hopefully students can be a bit more hands-on in science class than they have been in the past,” Perry said of the project.
Another large part of the summer will be reviewing the previous school year. Perry will examine what worked in the schools and what is in need of improvement. They plan to make adjustments where needed to make next school year the best it can be.
“We’ve got to do what’s best for our kids,” Perry stated simply.
COURTESY PHOTO Mike Perry has been involved in public education for many years, from serving as a School Administrators of Montana president, to sitting on Montana’s AASA Governing Board.
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Polson scholarships announced briefs
News from the Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation
POLSON — Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation awarded 31 scholarships totaling $40,500 to Polson High School seniors and former Polson High School graduates who are currently attending an accredited two- or four-year community college, university, or vocational school.
The following scholarships are set up through the PSEF with money donated by individuals in memory of loved ones, alumni classes, civic organizations, and employees of School District #23 in the amount of $500. PSEF matches the $500 donation with $500, so each high school senior receives a $1,000 scholarship. One exception is the Alumni Class of ‘59, which provides $1,000 scholarship, and PSEF provided $500 for the student to receive a $1,500 scholarship. The student receiving the Alumni Class of ’59 scholarship is Ryan Dupuis.
Additional high school seniors receiving $1,000 scholarships are Turquoise Pierre who received the Montecahto Club Scholarship, Ethan McCauley who received the Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship, Jazlyn Dalbey and Taleah Hernandez who each received the Jessie Clemans Memorial Scholarship, and Tristan Hanson who received the J.V. Holman Memorial Scholarship. Other individuals receiving these scholarships are Joclynn Cass with the Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship, and Xavier Fisher with the District #23 Employees Scholarship. Elizabeth Tolley was award the George Mahoney Memorial Scholarship. The Travis Dolphin Memorial Scholarship was given to Halle Heninger, and the Theiler/Oberlitner Scholarship was awarded to Noah Shriver. Two new scholarships were given this year in memory of Janis Jette, a former PHS English teacher, and Roger McClure, a former PHS guidance counselor. Braunson Henriksen received the Janis Jette Memorial Scholarship, and Dillon Johnson was awarded the Roger McClure Memorial Scholarship. The Becky Anderson Friendship Memorial was given to Michaelin Copenhaver. Polson High Seniors received a total of $14,500 in scholarships through many donors and Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation.
Karlina Lawson was awarded $1,000 dollars from the Emma Sager Women of Rollins Scholarship, and $1,000 from PSEF.
The following $1,500 scholarships for students currently enrolled in college were provided: The Alumni Class of 1965 Scholarship was awarded to Elizabeth Bjorge. Violet Anderson received the Sue Gregg Lanier Scholarship, Shaely Brown was given the Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship, and Gwen Seeley received a scholarship from the Mildred and Hib Hanson Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation. The PSEF Scholarship was awarded to Keyan Dalbey. Robin Erickson was provided the Trusler Family Vocational Scholarship, and Payton Dupuis received the Robert Depoe III Memorial Scholarship. Malia Seeley received the L.G. Baertsch Memorial Scholarship, Grace Sievert was awarded the Jessie Clemans Memorial Scholarship, and Keith Erickson received the Theiler/ Oberlitner Scholarship. The Ken Avison Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Triston Clifford. The Chris and Odin Scholarship was awarded to Breanna McGuiness.
A new scholarship was provided in memory of Dick Schultz. a long-time resident and businessman in Polson. The Dick Schultz Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Shawntaya Burland. PSEF sponsored three additional scholarships to the following college students in the amount of $1,500 each for Nina Barfoot, Mikaela Ducharme, and Ali Hupka. Thanks to donations from sponsors for the Lake City Open Golf Tournament that is held in conjunction with Polson Bay Golf Course and PSEF and donations from individuals and organizations, these college students received a total of $26,000 in scholarships.
Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation is a local non-profit organization established in 2002 as Polson Dollars for Scholars. The purpose of the organization is to expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities for Polson High School graduates and assist parents and students with college expenses. Since its inception, we have provided PHS students with a $427,000 worth of scholarships. Tax-deductible donations, individuals leaving money in their wills, and fundraisers provide the funds for scholarships, as well as individuals setting up a scholarship fund in memory of a loved one. All donations and monies raised goes towards scholarships. For more information on setting up a scholarship in memory of a loved one, or joining our organization, please contact board member Chris Strom at stromchris2@gmail.com, or visit our Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation web page for more information.
News from Dawson Community College
GLENDIVE — Dawson Community College recently announced area students who are degree candidates for the Spring 2022 semester. Official awarding of a degree and any official graduation with honors or graduation with high honors designation is not made until degree candidates have completed their final term of enrollment and have met all specific requirements.
One announced area degree candidate is Jonah DuCharme of Polson, who is expected to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology.
News from Doreen Ratzburg, Montecahto Club
POLSON — The Montecahto Club is offering a $500 scholarship for an individual who is seeking vocational or technical certification or licensure from a non-traditional training program. A high school diploma or equivalency is required, and applicants must reside in Lake County. Applications are available at North Lake County Library, Job Service, or Scholarship Committee at PO Box 1002 in Polson, or phone 406-887-2704.
Carroll College names students to spring 2022 dean’s list
News from Carroll College
HELENA — Carroll College named students on their 2022 spring semester dean’s list. To be included on the dean’s list, a student must receive a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale and take at least 12 graded credits in a semester. Local area students: Audrey Brown of Plains; Summer Kovarik and Margaret Todd of Polson; Brooklyn Kenelty and James Normandeau of Ronan; Nicole Williams of Seeley Lake.
Montana Western names students to Dean’s List
DILLON — The University of Montana Western named 508 students to the 2022 spring semester Dean’s List. To achieve this honor, students must be enrolled full-time or for 12 semester credits and carry a minimum 3.33 grade point average. An asterisk after a name indicates a student received Dean’s List high honors. Local students include: Trevor Paro of Hot Springs; Marissa Mock* of Ronan; Afton Brander of Saint Ignatius; Flint McPherson of Saint Ignatius; Laura Devins* of Seeley Lake; and Calista Fahrney of Somers.
