The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Chinook School District students returned to in-person classroom learning on August 26, and those at the high school encountered two new instructors and two new paraprofessionals while those at Meadowlark Elementary welcomed a part-time paraprofessional.

Karyn Billmayer was hired in July to serve as the 7-12 Vo-Ag teacher and FFA Advisor. Billmayer earned a pair of associate degrees from Sheridan College in Wyoming: one in Agricultural Business and the second in Rangeland Management. While working on her bachelor's degree at the University of Wyoming, she transferred to MSU-Bozeman to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education.

Familiar with the Hi-Line but born and raised in Wyoming, Billmayer student taught in Harlem and spends her summers farming and ranching for Wing Road Farms in Hogeland. Having her hands in the dirt and boots on the ground have allowed her to use the knowledge gained from high school and college and apply it in other contexts.

"Seven years ago, I attended Montana Range Days in Havre, and little did I know that I would eventually be living on the Hi-Line," Billmayer said.

After moving to the Hi-Line in January of 2018, Billmayer served as a long term substitute and as a paraprofessional in the Special Education Program at Meadowlark Elementary School (MES). She credits that experience with enabling her to see how the district operates and encouraging her to apply for her current position.

"I'm really excited to be teaching in Chinook and taking over a program that the former teacher put so much effort into creating, growing, and maintaining. Ms. Allen set me up for success as a first year teacher, and I want future students to be as passionate about agriculture as I am. Also, I like how involved the students are in the program here, and I hope to see the numbers continue to be strong," Billmayer stated.

In her leisure, Billmayer likes to ride and show horses. Reined cow horses and cutting are her favorite disciplines, but she counts any occasion spent with horses as time well spent. She also names gardening, canning, cooking, and fishing with her husband, Eric, whom she married this past June, as additional pleasures.

The new K-12 music teacher, Devin Morris earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Tacoma, Washington. While studying at PLU, Morris played in various ensembles. He also has years of experience performing in pep bands and marching shows. Before accepting the job at Chinook, he taught in the Rocky Boy School District.

About his current position, Morris is enthusiastic about being able to teach diverse types of music, from elementary to band and choir. "It is so much fun to be able to learn and teach many genres of music, as well as to share that knowledge with my students," Morris said.

When he is not teaching and working with students, Morris treasures the relaxation offered by reading and playing music. Among his unforgettable memories, he counts the honor of getting to play with world-renowned trumpet soloist Jens Lindemann and the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra in 2017. He also enjoys hiking with his wife Phyllis, who is the music director for North Star Schools.

Next, joining the ranks as paraprofessionals are Jaye Anderson and Chelsie Fox. Both will be assisting the high school Resource Room Instructor, Bonnie Ortner.

Anderson started her degree at MSU-Bozeman but plans to continue elsewhere in the near future. Although she formerly worked at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home, she expressed excitement for the challenges that each day brings in the Chinook High School Resource Room. When she is not working, she likes to relax at home or go to the lake and surf.

The second paraprofessional, Fox began her education degree at the University of Montana-Western and has continued at Montana State University-Northern (MSUN). She credits MSUN for much of the knowledge gained and experience acquired in education.

"I hope to bring a willing attitude and encouragement to the classroom," Fox said. "I am very excited to work with Bonnie; she creates a fun environment and shares a lot of great information that I will use every day."

Fox splits her work day, serving in the afternoons as a teacher's aide at MES. She enjoys spending her free moments with friends, family, and pets.

Devin Morris, K-12 Music

When asked how these early days back have gone for everyone, High School Principal Matt Molyneaux replied: "I believe they have gone well. The students seem happy to be back, as do the staff. We work to social distance and have moved our larger classes into the auditorium in order to spread tables and students out. We disinfect laptops after every period for the next class of users, and we stagger lunch periods weekly, alternating between junior high and high school students to keep lunch numbers down. Meals are grab and go."

Regarding the issue of masks, Molyneaux reported that some students regularly wear masks, and in classes where social distancing is not possible, such as computer class, students are required to wear masks.

"We have shortened the amount of time students have to congregate before school and during lunch. We also work to fulfill the six-foot social distance procedure, but because our school board chose the option of masks being optional for staff and students, we won't mandate masks unless we are, of course, over four active cases in the county. Students have been good with the process as, of course, have the staff," Molyneaux said.