Montana Council of Teachers
of Mathematics
2023 MCTM Elections
Election Candidate for President
Jake Warner - Capital High School, Helena
Education Background:
MEd - Secondary Math Education - Arizona State University
BS - Construction Engineering Technology - Montana State University
Current Teaching Assignment:
Honors Math 2, Technical Math, Robotics
Teaching Experience:
6 years Capital High School
3 years OPI Mathematics Instructional Coordinator
4 years Arizona
Activities in MCTM:
Past Board Member, Past Secretary, Presented at MCubed, Presented at MCTM Leadership Conference, Elections Committee
Traits Jake would bring as the next MCTM President:
Positive attitude, works well with others, strong vision for future of MCTM
What role should MCTM take in MT mathematics:
MCTM should be pushing mathematical modeling in the math competition. MCTM should be a player in the Grant space, we could apply for grants ourselves or partner with Universities. MCTM should engage our Elementary teachers through things like pen pals or elementary math competition. MCTM should offer scholarships for students of our members. MCTM should have an NCTM scholarship lottery where a member gets drawn to go to the annual NCTM conference and report back. MCTM should focus on things that teachers can't find in other places. Resources are all over the internet, PD is a dime a dozen, we can create unique opportunities for Montana's students and connect Montana teachers with grant opportunities.
Election Candidates for Executive Board
Sarah Shoopman - Roberts Public School, Roberts - Region 4
Education Background:
BS Elementary Education with Math Minor from MSU-Billings
Current Teaching Assignment:
7-12 Math Roberts High School
Teaching Experience:
Title I Reading/Math, 4-6 Math
3/4 Science & Social Studies
7-12 Math
Activities in MCTM:
Co-Chair MCTM @ MFPE
MCubed
Traits Sarah would bring to the MCTM board:
Dependability, compassion, understanding, responsibility, diligence, patience, respect, interpersonal skills
What role should MCTM take in MT mathematics:
MCTM has an important role in Mathematics in Montana. The connections that educators make though MCTM are huge especially for educators who are the only one in their department. MCTM brings new ideas, thoughts and practices to mathematics. MCTM allows MT educators opportunities get new ideas and put those practices into play in their classroom.
Quinn Huisman - Arlee High School, Arlee - Region 1
Education Background:
Bachelors in Engineering
Masters in Math Education.
Current Teaching Assignment:
High School Mathematics
Teaching Experience:
3 years
Activities in MCTM:
I take my high school students to the math competition at UM. I was at the most previous MEA conference in Helena. I was awarded the small classroom grant through MCTM where I was able to purchase CBR2’s. I was awarded the NCTM scholarship which I will be using to go to the regional NCTM in Seattle, Washington in February of 2024.
Traits Quinn would bring to the MCTM board:
Energy, Positivity and Ambition for growing MCTM participation with public school math teachers in Montana.
What role should MCTM take in MT mathematics:
It should keep being an asset to teachers that utilize it. My goal would be to help more teachers learn about it and use it as the asset it is.
Melissa Goretskie - Power High School, Power - Region 2
Education Background:
I have a BA in Spanish Education, an M.Ed. in General Education. I have been working on my Ed.S in Leadership. I have taken a large number of courses in Math and Math Education as well as Reading Instruction.
Current Teaching Assignment:
I currently teach everything from Pre-Algebra to Pre-Calculus and everything in-between.
Teaching Experience:
This is my 14th year teaching and I have taught everything from Pre-K through High School. I have taught in GA, VA, MD and now am happy to call MT my home. Math has always been my main focus, even when I taught elementary school. I taught in a departmentalized school where my focus was math and science.
Activities in MCTM:
Since moving to MT, I have participated in the MCubed conference and have brought my students to compete in the MCTM math competition each year.
Traits Melissa would bring to the MCTM board:
I am very enthusiastic about math and math education and would bring that love to the board. I am also hard working and willing to do what ever is asked of me.
What role should MCTM take in MT mathematics:
MCTM should help guide math education in MT. Who better to influence math education than teachers. MCTM should also play an important role in offering high quality professional development so we can ensure that students are receiving the best possible math education.
Ross Gustafson - Capital High School, Helena - Region 3
Education Background:
Cut Bank High School(2001)
Carroll College - Bachelor of Arts - Civil Engineering(2006)
University of Montana - Masters of Education - Curriculum and Instruction(2012)
Current Teaching Assignment:
Capital High School - Algebra 1, Geometry, Math Lab Support
Teaching Experience:
Flathead High School, Kalispell, MT 2012-2020
Capital High School, Helena, MT 2020 - Present
Activities in MCTM:
I am a new member to MCTM, so I do not have any experience with activities, but I am looking forward to participating with the team.
Traits Ross would bring to the MCTM board:
open-mindedness, passion for math education, and ability to work within a team.
What role should MCTM take in MT mathematics:
MCTM can be a leader in mathematical education in Montana. This would include things like professional development, standards development and student excellence.
2022 Dean Preble Award Winner
Ms. Hilary Risser
Every year, the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) recognizes the significant contributions made by one of its members through the Dean Prebble Memorial Award. The award is named in honor of Dean Prebble who made significant contributions to the council before passing away from cancer in the fall of 1998. This year the award was given to Hilary Risser at the annual general meeting and luncheon held at the Montana Federation of Professional Employees (MFPE) Educators’ Conference in Helena, MT on October 20, 2022.
Hilary Risser joined the faculty at Montana Technological University in 2008. As a member of the department, she regularly teaches a wide variety of mathematics courses ranging from Calculus to Modern Geometry to History of Mathematics to Numerical Computing for Engineering and Science. She is the only faculty member at Montana Tech with a research interest in mathematics education, making her an essential member of a department that educates many of Montana’s future mathematics teachers. Her research interests include the use of technology in the teaching of mathematics, teacher online social networks, mentoring, and the use of technology in professional development. She has a strong record of collaboration, working with over 20 different mathematics education researchers from around the world. Her work is published in many research outlets including well-known journals, book chapters, and compendiums. She shares the results of her work publically in presentations and talks given around the state of Montana as well as at national and international conferences. She currently serves as the chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Montana Tech.
Shortly after joining the faculty at Montana Tech, Hilary joined MCTM. In 2012, Hilary won the election to the board of directors. In 2016 she was elected President of the council. During her tenure as a board member and president, she made significant contributions. She organized new Professional Development Academies (PDAs) that introduced the Common Core Mathematical Practices to teachers across the state over several years. She was instrumental in starting the Montana Math Meet (MCubed) which is now held every summer in Butte on the Montana Tech campus. Hilary’s leadership also brought the council into the 21st Century (maybe a little late) by instituting the use of digital communication tools and cloud-based file repositories. She replaced the bi-annual newsletter with the MCTM Blog, enabling timelier communication. Her efforts supporting the work of the council continues. She serves as the MCTM Regional Math Contest director for Butte and she serves on the MCubed committee.
Hilary’s record makes it clear that she has made strong contributions to the teaching-and-learning of mathematics in Montana. Further, she has a strong record as an active and influential member of the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics. We are happy to award her the highest honor of our council, the Dean Prebble Award; we can think of no one more deserving of this honor.
2022 Karen Longhart Scholarship Award Winner
Mr. Jake Warner
Thank you MCTM for the Karen Longhart Scholarship! I used this scholarship to pay for the Maintenance of Certification for my National Board Certification.
So what is National Board Certification anyways? The National Education Association defines National Board Certification as “a voluntary, advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure. NBC has national standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. The National Board certifies teachers who successfully complete its rigorous certification process.” You can get certified in almost any content area, MCTM members are probably
interested in certifying in Early Adolescence Mathematics, Adolescence, and Young Adulthood Mathematics, or as an Early Childhood Generalist.
Why should a teacher get certified? I can honestly say getting certified made me a better teacher. The certification process covers many aspects of teaching. I was able to see where I wasn’t meeting the criteria and change my practice (for the better) to reach certification. You also stand to earn a higher salary by getting certified. Many schools offer stipends or increased salaries. The state will match the school’s stipend by $1000 or $2000 depending on your school’s rurality and poverty levels.
What does a teacher have to do to get certified? The certification process consists of 4 components covering content knowledge, differentiation, classroom environment, use of assessment data, teacher collaboration, and other topics. You must submit a video, artifacts of student work, and write about your teaching. You can get certified in as little as 1 year, or as many as 5 years. If you don’t score well on any component, you can retake that component.
How much does it cost? Each year there is a $75 registration fee, and each component costs $475. If you certify in one year the total cost is $1,975.
How do I get started? While it isn’t required, I highly recommend taking MFPE’s Jumpstart training. The instructions for applying are in PDF form and can be hard to understand. At the MFPE training, they walk you through the process and explain what is required from each component. Every year Jumpstart is offered in person and virtually.
Find more information about MFPE support here:
https://www.mfpe.org/benefits-of-membership/professional-development/national-board-certification/
Find more information about National Board Certification here:
https://www.nbpts.org/
Thanks again MCTM for the support, I love being in such a great organization!