As a Frontier Learning Lab Ambassador at Montana Digital Academy, Mckenna Akane brings expertise in instructional design, educational technology, and adult learning facilitation. In this role, she designs and delivers high-impact professional learning on virtual reality, artificial intelligence literacy, student data privacy compliance, and workflow optimization for K-12 educators statewide. She routinely facilitates interactive workshops, coaches educators through AI integration, and curates hands-on digital learning resources tailored to Montana school needs. Her ongoing leadership in cutting-edge tech integration ensures that participating teachers receive rigorous, ethically grounded, and highly practical instructional guidance.

Bio: Dr. Maria Andersen is the Cofounder and CEO of Socrait, her 2nd EdTech startup. With a 30-year career dedicated to improving teaching and learning, Maria has always kept one foot in the classroom. She’s taught across community colleges, private colleges, universities, and K-12 schools, covering a wide range of subjects, including math, business, chemistry, ELL, and her personal favorite, a middle school elective she designed and is still teaching, called "Technology & Society."

I retired from teaching after a 40-year career in the Great Falls Public Schools. I taught classes in grades seven through twelve, and I worked as an adjunct instructor at today's MSU-Great Falls. My areas were primarily social studies and English, and I taught everything from seventh grade remedial reading to three different Advanced Placement classes in history and government. I have been involved in the Lewis and Clark story for almost 30 years. During that time, I have portrayed members of the expedition in first-person reenactments, I have been an on-board historian for Lewis and Clark themed Road Scholar tours, and I do step-on guide work for tours coming through Great Falls. I am part of the steering committee organizing the 2026 annual meeting of the Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance that will gather in Great Falls this June. This year will be the fifth of these conventions at which I have made a presentation.

Originally from South Dakota, Ashley Archambault is a passionate and accomplished educator with over 16 years of experience, the majority of which has been dedicated to serving schools and districts across Wyoming. Her career includes roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and district administrator, where she led initiatives in curriculum development, professional learning, and instructional leadership.
Ashley holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. She currently works as a national trainer and instructional coach specializing in classroom management, student motivation, and effective educational practices.
Deeply committed to supporting educators, Ashley partners with schools nationwide to deliver practical, research-based strategies that enhance student achievement and foster educator growth.

David Baier serves as a Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration, based in the Billings, MT field office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Montana State University. Before joining the Social Security Administration in May 2008, David spent eight years in the Army. Since beginning his career with SSA, he has held several positions, ultimately becoming the Public Affairs Specialist in 2016.

Adrienne Barnes, Polson High School Spanish Teacher
B.A. in Spanish with Teacher Licensure and International Studies
M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language
M.A. in Educational Leadership
11 years’ experience teaching Spanish in Polson, Montana
4 years’ experience teaching English (TESOL) in Kochi, Japan

Jenny Bevill, Humanities Montana's Program Development Director, is a dynamic educational leader with three decades of experience working in public schools, museums, and non-profit organizations in New York City and Montana, Jenny spent 10 years at the Guggenheim Museum and 3 ½ years at the Missoula Art Museum where she helped develop the virtual learning platform, Museum as Megaphone. Jenny has created content for many statewide arts organizations in Montana including the Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Arts Council. She joined the Humanities Montana speaker bureau in 2016 and was brought on staff in 2021. As the Program Development Director she also oversees all programs including the award winning Democracy Project. Jenny is passionate about the role of libraries in our democracy and is also a musician and songwriter.

Amanda Blair is a dedicated Special Education teacher with 18 years of experience serving students in grades K–12. She is passionate about inclusive practices, strong MTSS systems, and creating structured, relationship-centered classrooms where every student can thrive. Amanda specializes in IEP development, differentiated instruction, and research-based interventions that support meaningful growth. Beyond the classroom, she serves as a Special Olympics liaison and coach, expanding opportunities for students through athletics and leadership. She leads with positivity, consistency, and heart—believing that when you build a strong culture, students rise to meet it.

Dr. Heather Bleecker, founder of Edutorium of Excellence LLC, is an experienced educator and consultant committed to culturally sustainable STEM learning and strong school and community partnerships. With a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and over twenty years in mathematics education, she has focused her career on supporting pre-service teachers, coaching in-service teachers, and designing STEM programs that honor place and community. From 2018 to 2025, Dr. Bleecker served at Salish Kootenai College, where she led the secondary math and early childhood programs. Her work is guided by a commitment to hands-on, inquiry-based learning that expands access and builds student confidence. She has led multiple SKC STEM summer camps, contributing to curricula design, mentor preparation, and evaluation to ensure meaningful and community-connected STEM experiences.

Lisa A. Botti has been a professional potter for over 20 years. She audited Judy Eriksen's last pottery class at UGF in 2003. She has taken classes with Cindy Eve for over 20 years and still is part of Cindy's regular students. She has been making pottery ever since.
Ms. Botti is originally from Mass. and received her B.A. in child Psychology from Boston University in 1985 and her Masters in Social Work also from Boston University in 1987. She worked as an Oncology Social Worker at University Hospital , now named Boston University Medical Center, before moving to Great Falls, Montana in 1993. She worked for Columbus Hospital covering Bereavement for the newly opened Hospice, the oncology floor and the ICU.
She currently lives near Monarch, MT on an organic cattle ranch. She has her own pottery studio inside of her barn. She has 5 young adult children and three grandchildren with one on the way!

Dana Bremner is a dedicated Amskapii Pikunii (Blackfeet) and Little Shell Chippewa educator and advocate, serving as a reading interventionist and the president of her local public school union. With a deep commitment to her family, community, and culture, Dana works tirelessly to ensure that all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, receive the support they need to succeed academically.

She believes in the power of education to uplift communities and is passionate about promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity in schools. Through her leadership, Dana strives to amplify the voices of her people, creating a more equitable future for Native American students and fostering a sense of pride in their heritage. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in cultural traditions, and advocating for social justice within her community.

Dr. Alli Bristow is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Montana State University–Northern. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed School Counselor, and National Certified Counselor, she brings extensive experience in K–12 school counseling, clinical practice, counselor education, and supervision. Her research interests include supporting counselors-in-training, evidence-based practice, counselor retention, and burnout prevention. She was named the 2024 Montana School Counselor of the Year and currently serves on the Montana School Counselor Association (MSCA) Board.

Marisa Britton-Bostwick, MAE is an educator with 27 years experience in teaching and educational administration with a passion for serving underserved students and families. She has a degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University-Billings, a Masters in Educational Administration from Chapman University and has completed graduate work in literacy instruction at University of California-Los Angeles. She  holds a Certified Language Authorization graduate credential from her work with English Language Learners from University of California-San Diego.  Marisa is passionate about the instruction of students and engaging students in all learning environments and has an extensive background in working with students in secure facilities and low income areas. In 2020, Marisa has developed and implemented programs with stakeholders to positively reunify minor children with their incarcerated father prior to release.  Currently, Marisa is a federal grants coordinator at the Montana Office of Public Instruction specializing in Title II grant funding, Title ID funding and foster care.

Jessica is a Tobacco Use Prevention Education Specialists. Born a military kid, she lived in various places around the country, before moving to Montana to be closer to family right before her senior year of high school. After graduation she attended the University of Montana earning a degree in Journalism-Radio/Television Production. Jessica also holds a Master of Education, Interdisciplinary Studies from MSU-B. She brings ten years of youth ministry experience, as well as 3 years of substitute teaching. In her free time, she is active in sports: playing for a Billings area women’s contact flag football team, bowling league with her husband, and playing church league softball with her husband and two teenagers.