Leading The Way

Putting the spotlight on those making a big impact in our community.

This Month

Featured image for “Ronan Middle School Counselor, Kristen DesJarlais Leading the Way”

Ronan Middle School Counselor, Kristen DesJarlais Leading the Way

Kristen DesJarlais’s path to her current career took a route through Great Falls, Bozeman, Broadview, and Billings. In her role as the Ronan Middle School Counselor, Desjarlais has demonstrated innovation and commitment to her students. Working with her partners from

Previous Months

Featured image for “Jessica Edwards Leading The Way”

Jessica Edwards Leading The Way

This month, we’re putting the spotlight on Jessica Edwards and how she’s enhancing the lives of children through gymnastics, dance, parkour, karate classes, and more with her business Head Over Heels. Tell us a little bit about your background… My

Mayuk C Novembers Profile of the Month

In this month’s Leading the Way, we’re highlighting Mayuk Caye, Parent Educator with the Early Foundations Home Visiting Program. Tell us a little bit about your background… I graduated from Polson High School in 2010. From there, I went to

Featured image for “Betsy Wade on this month’s Leading the Way”

Betsy Wade on this month’s Leading the Way

Tell us a little bit about your background… I’m in my 8th year as a school counselor at Polson High School. I come from a family of educators – my dad serving as an elementary school principal for most of

Featured image for “Jessica Johnson Leading the Way”

Jessica Johnson Leading the Way

This month the Leading the Way profile is Jessica Johnson. She has been working in public education for nearly two decades, as a teacher and now as the Ronan High School Vice Principal. Johnson has been active with a variety

Featured image for “Cynthia Davey Leading The Way in Febraury”

Cynthia Davey Leading The Way in Febraury

This month the Leading the Way profile is about Cynthia Davey. She has been an educator for decades, working with learners of all ages. Tell us a little bit about your background… I was born in Westport, Connecticut, the youngest

Featured image for “Felicia Paul”

Felicia Paul

This month’s Leading the Way profile is on Felicia Paul, a home visitor and parent educator with the Early Foundations Home Visiting Program. Tell us a little bit about your background… I grew up here on the Flathead Indian reservation.

Featured image for “Lisa Hales”

Lisa Hales

For this month’s Leading The Way Profile, we’re highlighting the Head Start Program. It originated in 1964 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Since that time, Head Start programs have reached 40 million children and their families. The program has a

Featured image for “Gwen Hadrits”

Gwen Hadrits

My name is Gwen Hadrits, I am originally from Minnesota and have lived in the Polson area for 5 years now. My husband and I moved out here to be in the mountains since we both enjoy outdoor activities such

Featured image for “Lona Boushie”

Lona Boushie

For this month’s Leading The Way Profile, we’re beginning by highlighting the Parents As Teachers Home Visiting Model being used in the local community. Parents As Teachers Home Visiting Model THERE ARE FOUR DYNAMIC COMPONENTS TO THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS

Featured image for “Janet Jolley”

Janet Jolley

For this month’s Leading The Way Profile, we’re beginning by highlighting key developments in education theory and some of the practices being used today. Early Childhood Education Helping families and children thrive is one of the main objectives behind the

Featured image for “Rhea Pierre Gates”

Rhea Pierre Gates

Rhea Pierre Gates-Early Foundations Home Visiting Program Manager What is home visiting? Home Visiting with families and children is new to Montana but has been a standard in some states for decades. It involves a home visitor working with a