Moving Forward, Leading the Way!

 

WHAT IS THE TEACHER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (TLI)?

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:

  • Competency-based curriculum;
  • A self-selected capstone project based on needs assessment;
  • Community collaboration;
  • Extensive coaching and support; and
  • Evidence-based portfolio documenting growth in the Teacher Leadership Competencies.

 

 

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.

Our TLI Coaches

Gia LaForge, Bozeman

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, Billings

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.

 

Past Capstones

Explore some of the past Teacher Leadership Institute capstone projects. To view past capstone projects click on the blue titles.

2023-2024

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

 

2021-2022

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 

2020-2021

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

2019-2020

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

2018-2019

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

2017-2018

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.

 

2015-2016

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

 

2014-2015

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

More Information

Explore some of the Teacher Leadership Institute Competencies.

NEA Teacher Leadership Competencies

 

For additional questions contact Kim Popham at [email protected].