I came to TLI because I had been asking myself "What's next for me?" I was looking for some answers from TLI on what steps I could take and this became my capstone project. See capstones below.
Erna Gallagher, "Remember why you wanted to be a teacher. TLI is a chance to lead together. Bringing together out differences to create positive changes for education."
You can do anything you set your mind to. I learned I have a voice.
Coaching was amazing! Very helpful and supportive when I was ready to give up because I felt overwhelmed.
TLI taught me to reflect on how I can do a better job on leading. It was fun getting to know educators from around the state and hear about their ideas and goals.
Teacher leadership is about inspiring and empowering others to reach their fullest potential fostering a community of continuous growth and learning.
TLI improved my confidence as a teacher leader in a fun and meaningful way.
Wow! This really helped me in how I communicate and gave me a better understanding of how to make allies to create solutions.
Teacher leadership is not about a title or a position, it's about inspiring others, fostering a collaborative culture, and driving positive change in education.
The Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI) program is designed to for educators that want to ready themselves for a more significant role in shaping their profession through pathways in policy change, strengthening their union associations, and instructional excellence.
MFPE’s TLI is a partnership with the National Education Association (NEA) designed to make leadership accessible to educators with busy schedules. Learning occurs through face to face, virtual sessions, and module work with collaboration with TLI coaches, and MFPE staff.
Program Curriculum Overview
Teacher Leadership Institute is a cohort based learning experience consisting of:
TLI 2024 - 2025 COHORT DATES tentative schedule below
TLI Launch Face to Face meeting #1 July 16, 2024
TLI all day virtual meeting November 16, 2024
TLI meeting #3 July 16, 2025
Capstones will be due July 25, 2025
Module (Zoom) dates:
Module 2 August 13, 2024 6pm
Module 3 October 8, 2024 6pm
Module 5 January 7, 2025 6pm
Module 6 February 18, 2025 6pm
Module 7 April 1, 2025 6pm
• MFPE awards 60 OPI Professional Development units for completion of all TLI virtual meeting, modules and capstone.
• OPI Professional Development units rewarded for Face to Face meetings.
• NEA stipend awarded for program completion including capstone review.
TLI is designed for educators beyond the fifth year of teaching who are current MFPE members seeking ways to hone leadership skills through meaningful projects.
Gia LaForge has been a first-grade teacher in Bozeman for 13 years. She has a master’s degree in Differentiated Instruction, earned National Board Certification, was a finalist for the Presidential Award for Teaching Math, and is a coach for Teacher Leadership Institute. She is passionate about helping other educators achieve results both inside and outside the walls of their classrooms.
Teresa Marchant a Teacher Librarian at Lockwood School in Billings, Montana. She has been an educator for 24 years. She holds a Masters in Educational Technology with an emphasis in Online Instruction from Montana State University as well as a certificate in School Library Media from the University of Washington. She loves learning and enjoys helping others which makes her an awesome school librarian.
Olivia Bedford - West High School, Billings Pathway: Instructional - Collaborative Relationships
Shannon Vennes - Orchard Elementary School, Billings Pathway: Instructional - Coaching and Mentoring
Anthony Lapke - Glacier High School, Kalispell Pathway: Association - Building Capacity
Megan Schillinger - Orchard Elementary School, Billings Pathway: Association - Leading with Vision
Shelley O'Rourke - North Middle School, Great Falls Pathway: Association - Leading with Skill
Carla Ljunggren - Will James Middle School, Billings Pathway: Association - Organizing and Advocacy
Brynn Cadigan - Linderman Education Center, Kalispell Pathway: Policy - Policy Making
Jaret Stump - Glacier High School, Kalispell Pathway: Policy - Policy Making
Kalli Murphy - Miles Avenue Elementary, Billings Pathway: Instructional - Coaching and Mentoring
Jane Doherty - Paxson Elementary School, Missoula Pathway: Policy - Advocacy
Emma Tolzien - Hyalite Elementary School, Bozeman Pathway: Instructional - Community
Erna Gallagher - Whitter Elementary School, Butte Pathway: Instructional - Collaborative Relationships
Becky Croghan - Saddle Peak Elementary, Belgrade Pathway: Association - Organizing and Advocacy
Jen Hossack - Washington Middle School, Missoula Pathway: Policy - Advocacy
Katie Miller - Dillon Middle School, Dillon Pathway: Instructional - Community
Heather Nolan - Lockwood Primary School, Billings Pathway: Instructional - Collaborative Relationships
Janae Welch - Riverside Middle School, Billings Pathway: Instructional - Coaching and Mentoring
Mercedes Courchesne-Stedman - Russell Elementary, Missoula Pathway: Instructional - Coaching and Mentoring
Alice Asleson, Billings Senior HS, Billings Capstone Pathway: Association: Organizational Effectiveness-Developing
Elizabeth Cummings, Kalispell Middle School, Kalispell Capstone Pathway: Policy Engagement and Relationships
Francy Moll, K. William Harvey, Ronan-Pablo Capstone Pathway: Instructional: Facilitating Collaborative Relationships
Hannah Fender, Medicine Crow Middle School, Billings Capstone Pathway: Instructional Coaching and Mentoring-Emerging
Jessica Sullivan, East Side Intermediate School, Livingston Capstone Pathway: Instructional Coaching and Mentoring
Jordan Krause, Chief Charlo Elementary, Missoula Capstone Pathway: Policy-Advocacy
Kate Eisele, Lone Peak High School, West Yellowstone Capstone Pathway: Association-Organizational Effectiveness
Kelly Silk, Whitter Elementary School, Great Falls Capstone Pathway: Instructional Coaching and Mentoring
Logan Brower, Jefferson High School, Boulder Capstone Pathway: Association- Building Capacity in Others
Marielle Walker, Lone Peak High School, Big Sky Capstone Pathway: Instructional Leadership, Coaching & Mentoring
Mary Anne McMahon, Jefferson High School, Boulder Capstone Pathway: Association: Organizational Effectiveness-Emerging
Brenna Stefanik Jim Darcy Elementary School, Helena Pathway: Instructional
Chad Jackson Ponderosa Elementary School, Billings Pathway: Instructional
Debbie Tucker Castle Rock Middle School, Billings Pathway: Instructional
Denise Rutledge Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, Great Falls Pathway: Instructional
Erin Sutherland-Evans Highland Elementary, Billings Pathway: Instructional
Jennifer Wasson Montana School of Deaf and Blind, Great Falls Pathway: Instructional
Jenny Molloy Russell Elementary, Missoula Pathway: Policy
Jessica Davis Ronan Middle School, Ronan Pathway: Association
Julie Smiley Frenchtown Intermediate School, Frenchtown Pathway: Instructional
Keaton Ramm Park High School, Livingston Pathway: Instructional
Keyleigh Hennessy Bitterroot Elementary School, Billings Pathway: Instructional
Kim Popham Belgrade High School, Belgrade Pathway: Instructional
Becky Ayler Park High School, Livingston Pathway: Instructional
Severena Samuelson Four Georgians Elementary, Helena Pathway: Instructional
Shelby Murphy Lone Rock Elementary School, Lone Rock Pathway: Policy
Teresa De Armas Morning Star, Bozeman Pathway: Instructional
Amanda Rapstad, Heck-Quaw Elementary, Belgrade Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Calli Nicholson, Lincoln Center, Billings Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Cassie Kutzler, Rose Park Elementary, Billings Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Christine O'Shea, Hyalite Elementary, Bozeman Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Cindy Gopp, Eileen Johnson Middle School, Lockwood Capstone Pathway: Instructional Leadership
Connie Michael, Crow Agency Public School, Hardin Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Courtney Wolcott, Monforton Elementary, Monforton Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Dacia Lackey, Hyalite Elementary, Bozeman Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Hillary Gnerer, Lincoln Center, Billings Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Hollee Goody, Capital High School, Helena Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Jessica Felchle, Medicine Crow Middle School, Billings Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Justine Alberts, Kessler Elementary, Helena Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Kelsey Flynn, Cecelia Hazelton Elementary, Townsend Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Laura Ortman, Capital High School, Helena Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Maria Foot, Capital High School, Helena Capstone Pathway: Association
Nicholas Ottoy, Medicine Crow Middle School, Billings Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Nora Martin, Monforton Elementary, Monforton Capstone Pathway: Instructional
Teresa Marchant, Lockwood Intermediate School, Lockwood Capstone Pathway: Association Community and Culture
Angela Mock, Linderman Elementary, Polson Capstone: Family Connections.
Chandra Lind, Chief Joseph Middle School, Bozeman Capstone: Conference Presenter
Cynthia McBride, Chief Joseph Middle School, Bozeman Capstone: Parent Pathways
Hannah Williams, Stevensville High School, Stevensville Capstone: Revamping the union through communication and collaboration
Jenny Cade, Hyalite Elementary, Bozeman Capstone: Conscious Discipline.
Kate Belinda, Red Lodge High School, Red Lodge Capstone: Help will always be given at RLEA to those who ask for it.
Katy Wright, Smith School, Helena Capstone: Montessori Equity
Lauren Zent, Billings West High School, Billings Capstone: Mentor Program
Mattie Walton, Miles Avenue School, Billings Capstone: Engage preservice teachers in classrooms as substitutes while also providing classroom management skill-building.
Mike Telling, Beaverhead County High School, Dillon
Nikki Vradenburg, PBS Capstone: Improving professional development for teachers in rural schools
Patricia Ritter, Longfellow School, Bozeman Capstone: Debunking the myths surrounding education and educators through teacher biographies.
Rebecca Telling, Dillon Middle School, Dillon Capstone: Reorganization of our union.
Sarah Piper, MFPE, Helena Capstone: Clarity, cohesion, and communication.
Stacey Sager, Stevensville High School, Stevensville
Stephanie McBride-Bergantine, Hawthorne School, Bozeman Capstone: Connecting Math Intervention to the classroom.
Tracy Hardy, Cold Springs School, Missoula Capstone: Resources to encourage differentiated instruction and small group practices.
Alison Feddes, Bozeman Capstone: Connecting our district k-5 special education teachers as an organized group.
Anna Alger, Helena Capstone: Kindergarten Academy: Parent/Student night after Kindergarten Screening to help parents and students feel ready for school!
Ben Cummins, Missoula Capstone: Assist teachers in my district to earn their National Board Certification.
Brooke Taylor, Billings Capstone: Implementation of social justice in math
Caitlin Chiller, Livingston Capstone: Creating a professional development opportunity that will help high school English teachers in rural schools in Montana connect with one another.
Courtney Cox, Billings Capstone: Kindergarten readiness
Deb Persons, Bozeman Capstone: Academic Parent Teacher Teams
Georgia Holt, Gallatin Gateway Capstone: Create a learning network for Rural Gallatin/Madison County Teachers in Montana for professional development and peer revision.
Gia LaForge, Bozeman Capstone: Implementing Academic Parent Teacher Teams
Kathy Hoyt, Billings Capstone: Create a Digital Literacy Curriculum for the Middle School.
Kellen Alger, Helena Capstone: Re-establishing a productive district wide labor management team
Kelly Hayden, Bozeman Capstone: Teacher centered PD using Twitter to inspire and connect.
Kelly Haverlandt, Whitefish Capstone: I will be designing an instructional tool for members to use as a guide to understand our evaluation instrument.
Kim Busch, Billings Capstone: equality of services for students at non-Title 1 schools.
Kim Stout, Helena Capstone: Recruiting Teachers for National Board Certification.
Laurel King, Kalispell Capstone: Peer coaching cooperative
Lisa Pickens, Laurel Capstone: Developing Culturally Responsive IEFA materials for my grade level
Luci McCausland, Bozeman Capstone: Define and cultivate the role of building representatives in order to increase communication between teachers, union leaders and our district administration.
Margaret Aukshun, Billings Capstone: Eliciting and Interpreting Student Evidence in Algebra PLC
Nicole Bogunovich, Billings Capstone: Creating an effective technology PD model within my school
Rachel Marker, Bozeman Capstone: Teacher-directed PD via Twitter: becoming a connected educator.
Sarah Sandau, East Helena Capstone: Coaching/Mentoring/Collaboration in Technology.
Teresa Mountains, Billings Capstone: Increasing member activeness, awareness and increase new members
Mary Lyndes, Missoula Capstone: Getting funding for the Franklin Home Teacher Project
Kathleen Devlin, Missoula Capstone: Getting funding for the Franklin Home Teacher Project
Carla Swenson, Glasgow Capstone: To create a multi-tiered mentorship program for my district
Crista Anderson, Dixon Capstone: Develop a digital model of professional development supporting Common Core implementation that meets the needs of systems (district leadership, principals, educators, community, and parents.)
Ann Brucker, Billings Capstone: PR and Communication for BPS
Kelly Jones, Bozeman Capstone: Early Childhood Advocacy in Montana
Christine Rasmussen, Bozeman Capstone: Early Childhood Advocacy in Montana
Kate Cordes, Billings Capstone: How Student Motivation Affects The Accuracy of Assessments
Sara Hagen Hull, Missoula Capstone: Mentoring in Special Education
Trish Klock, Helena Capstone: Meaningful Mentoring
Jane Shawn, Helena Capstone: Meaningful Mentoring
Jake West, Helena Capstone: Meaningful Mentoring
Elizabeth Matthews, Gallatin Gateway Capstone: Creating more awareness and involvement with the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in the State of Montana
Marne Burt, Billings Capstone: Taking on a mentorship role in my building and assisting in various projects that improve the learning of students by empowering other teachers with 21st skills.
Tara Hirsch, Bozeman Capstone: Growing Resilience in Young Teachers
Kristi Gaines, Bozeman Capstone: Moving Math Forward in Montana
Explore some of the Teacher Leadership Institute Competencies.
NEA Teacher Leadership Competencies
For additional questions contact Kim Popham at [email protected].
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