Engaging Students Through Discussion, Research and Activity

SEELEY LAKE – After substitute teaching at Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) in 2014, Crissina Quinn returned this year to SSHS as the new U.S. History, Psychology, Sociology and Drama teacher. Her goal for all her classes is to create an engaging, student-driven classroom where the students lead the curriculum through discussions, research and anything other than lecture format.

Quinn grew up in Missoula. She attended school at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont.

"I've always had a love for history and I've been around kids coaching [softball] my entire life," said Quinn. "After talking to my advisor about what I could do with history, I said I could teach. I had a really incredible US History and government teacher at Big Sky. My advisor said they had a social studies broad field program so I did that."

Quinn student taught at SSHS with Trace Stone the fall of 2014. While she was initially disappointed in the distance from Missoula, she was able to stay at her family's place on Placid Lake and loved SSHS. She graduated that December with a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education focusing on Social Studies broad field.

"I loved teaching. I think it had a lot to do with being up here and around these kids," said Quinn.

During the spring of 2015 Quinn was hired as the teacher's aide at Sunset School. Then in August, 2015 Quinn was hired as the coordinator and director of the 21st Century Explores Program on Friday at Potomac School.

Since Potomac School has a four-day week, Explorers runs on Fridays from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. This program is the 21st Century Program that was granted to Potomac as an after school program. Quinn uses a STREAM-based curriculum (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math) and incorporates physical activity, culinary arts and cultural lessons as well. She welcomes members of the community to share their expertise with the students.

In February 2016, SSHS hired her as the Family Resource Specialist helping to coordinate Friday activities, work with families in transition, homeless students or people who need resources like Medicaid, food stamps, FAFSA and scholarships. She also coordinates student volunteers in the community when requests are made.

Quinn continued to work as a substitute teacher at SSHS before being hired on full-time this fall.

"I love the kids up here. They are such good kids. They are smart, love learning, they are fun to be around, they are respectful and I think it has a lot to do with the community," said Quinn.

To create an engaging classroom, Quinn is working on various instructional strategies. She also hopes to implement successful curriculum as a first year teacher and that her students will learn something.

In her U.S. History class, Quinn switched a few weeks ago from teaching it chronologically to a theme-based approach. Currently the students are studying the role of government through Supreme Court cases.

Quinn has never done anything like drama before. She has returned to school to take 12 more credits to get her English endorsement. She was really nervous about teaching the class.

"I think because I already had that relationship built with the kids, that really helped a lot," said Quinn.

The students choose to produce the play "Grease" this spring. She and Katrina Stout are writing a grant for ear microphones.

"It's going to be hard but our entire second semester will be devoted to that," said Quinn.

Since she is a recent graduate, Quinn feels her college experience provided her with a good understanding of the current teaching standards, such as Common Core, the Every Student Succeeds Act.

"I've never really known anything different so it's easy for me to think that way with standards," said Quinn. "That's how I think and how I work through instructional strategies."

Without a lot of teaching experience to draw from, Quinn said her coaching experience has helped her learn patience with her students and helped her see the rewards in giving her students positive feedback along with constructive criticism.

Quinn enjoys playing softball, the outdoors, hunting, fishing, traveling and attending Green Bay Packers football games when she has the chance.

Quinn is still working as the director of the Explorers program and as the Family Resource Specialist while teaching. She is also working on her English endorsement to teach drama which she has three years to complete.

"I love being up here. I love the staff, I love the kids and [Principal Dr. Kathleen Pecora] has been a really big advocate for me. I'm lucky to be a part of Missoula County Public Schools [up in Seeley Lake]."

To volunteer with the Explorer's Program, Friday enrichment activities or to help with the play this spring, contact Quinn at 677-2224 Ext. 5760.