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STAFF DIRECTORY

What does movie star Clint Eastwood, astronaut Sally Ride and a Galapagos tortoise named Methuselah have in common?

They all have a connection to Poplar Middle School!

We’re proud to present our amazing team. Their care, enthusiasm and dedication to helping students exceed pushes Poplar Middle School to the next level. We invite you to take a moment and read some FUN FACTS about our staff below.

Click on the UNDERLINED NAMES to access individual staff webpages.

TWILIA BEARCUB

Special Education Grades 7-8

FUN FACT: I am enrolled on the Fort Peck Reservation as a Nakota but am also a Dakota. I help my students succeed in their individual school subjects. Every day is an adventure!

LOREN BIGHORN

Grade 5 Teacher

FUN FACT: While getting my teachers license in Billings, MT during the spring of 2010, I repelled off of the rims. It was a requirement of the class at MSU-B.

JIM DECOTEAU

Grade 8 Math

FUN FACT: I've had many careers other than teaching.

MARIAH DIMAS

Registrar

FUN FACT:

MELANIE FERGUSON

Grade 7 Social Studies

FUN FACT: I owned and operated Ferguson Moving Systems, a residential and commercial moving company, which primarily served United Van Lines in Billings, Montana, for ten years.

TED FULGHAM

Agriculture Education

FUN FACT: I have been to all but 2 of the 50 States in the United States

MANNY GRANBOIS

Physical Education

FUN FACT: I graduated from University of Montana, home of the Grizzlies.

CHRISTINE GRINDSTAFF

Grade 7 Science

FUN FACT: I taught at a one room school house in Cleveland, Montana east of the Bears Paw mountains.

KARA GUILEZ

Grade 5 Teacher

FUN FACT: I have three dogs-- two German Shepherds and one Akita mix. Their names are Remington, Ignacio and Luna. I also have a cat named Blythe.

JOE HAMMAR

Industrial Arts

FUN FACT: I am a Volunteer Fireman for Scobey and Poplar as well as a Sheriffs Deputy in Daniels County.

MOLLY HOVAN

Grade 6 Science

FUN FACT:

SHERYL KOHL

TRAILS & REMOTE Learning

FUN FACT: While working with NASA to develop educational lessons, I met Sally Ride, the first woman in space.

CRYSTAL CUMMINS

School Counselor

FUN FACT: I've eaten kangaroo, shark, and A5 Kobe Wagyu Beef. The first two I wouldn't recommend. The last...You have to try it at least once!

JENNIFER LAWRENCEDIXON

HPDP Mental Health Therapist

FUN FACT: I like to take black and white Polariod photographs of things I see in my travels.

LINDA MCCABE

Family and Consumer Science

FUN FACT: On the old place in Texas, I caught a six foot plus diamond back rattler with a snake catcher tool. I had to drop it and re-grab it closer to it's head.

JACKIE MUHS

Special Education Grades 5-6

FUN FACT: I used to have eight weenie dogs. I have five dogs right now and pretty much cannot pass up a dog.

GRIFFIN RICKER

Grade 5 Teacher

FUN FACT:

HAYOON RUSH

Grade 5 Teacher

FUN FACT:

DAVID NOLES

Grade 8 Social Studies

FUN FACT:

MORGAN NORGAARD

Principal

FUN FACT: I went on an African Safari where I harvested a world class Kudu! While I was there, I participated in a local village tradition where we ate pit smoked Wart Hog.

KRISSY PARKER

Art

FUN FACT: I lived and worked in Japan for over a year, teaching English to grades PreK-9th.

MOLLY REDPATH

Chante' School Coordinator

FUN FACT: While on vacation, I sat down on a rock, but it turned out to be a huge 100 year old Galapagos Tortoise called Methuselah.

JACKIE RIEDIGER

School Secretary

FUN FACT:

LEWIS REESE

Assistant Principal

FUN FACT: I met Clint Eastwood in Phoenix, AZ when he was filming The Gauntlet. He had me sit down with him and his party, bought me a steak sandwich, and spoke only to me.

KELLY SCARR

Grade 8 Language Arts

FUN FACT: I went to New York to visit my sister when she was in law school and got a tour of Central Park on a rickshaw.

DEIRDRE SCHWARTZ

Librarian

FUN FACT: I have gone cave hunting and mountain climbing, and I have seen Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument.

STEVEN SCHWARTZ

Grade 7 Math

FUN FACT: I have met Kevin Costner, Lindsay Wagner, Peter Weller and Neil Patrick and a few others.

KENNY SHIELDS

Indian Education for All Coordinator

FUN FACT: I was a river guide in the Grand Canyon with Cross Tours and Exploration, Inc. out of Orem, Utah. Each pontoon boat tour took 6 days.

NERIA MANERO

Grade 8 Science

FUN FACT: During our National Chemists Conference, I met our Philippine President (Rodrigo Duterte) who is our City Mayor that time. Where he gave his speech for 3 hours straight and everyone is still attentive and enjoyed his talk until 12:20AM.

MELANIE SORENSEN

HPDP Drug & Alcohol Counselor

FUN FACT: I served on the city council in Glasgow, MT.

CHAD STRISSEL

Music

FUN FACT: I like to travel. My best trip was to China.

JACOB TURCOTTE

Grade 7 Language Arts

FUN FACT: I have Piggly Wiggly Fries that will cross your eyes!!

MARTHA WATTS

Grade 6 Math

FUN FACT: I was raised in Texas, but I lived most of my life in Atlanta, GA. I worked in the airline industry, and I learned how to fly an airplane before I got my driver's license.

OWEN GRAMLING

Grade 6 Social Studies

FUN FACT:

KENNY WHITEHEAD

Grade 5 Teacher

FUN FACT: I love my grandma because I can count on her to stick up for me.

CHANDRA YOUNG

Grade 6 Language Arts

FUN FACT:

ISABELLE YOUNGMAN

Family Support Specialist

FUN FACT:

JARRET CURTIS

Computer Technology Teacher

FUN FACT:

MARIBEL WAGAS

Special Education 5-6

FUN FACT