MSU recognizes that taking time out to complete a degree results in lost wages. It’s why we partnered with organizations across the state to apply for the Teacher Quality Partnership grant offered by the US Department of Education. Our collaboration, which we call the Montana Rural Teacher Project, was the only application funded in the Rocky Mountain West.
MRTP candidates are paid a “living wage stipend” (varies from $25K-$30K) for one year while earning MSU’s MAT to qualify for licensure. They then commit to three years of teaching in a rural school (possibly yours!) and receive two years of mentoring during induction. Note that eligible MRTP candidates must not be currently teaching on a provisional license.
The MRTP collaboration includes robust professional development for the MRTP teacher, thanks to the generous support from:
- Montana Federation of Public Employees
- Montana Office of Public Instruction
- Montana Rural Educators Association
- Montana Small School Alliance
- Montana State University
- School Services of Montana
- Western Montana Professional Learning Collaborative
We know amazing potential candidates are in our rural communities,
but we need your help finding them.
We need your network to connect us to candidates!
MRTP schools that hire MRTP teachers also receive direct benefits. In addition to highly qualified teachers who are mentored through induction, school leaders and trustees are supported in executing best practices in teacher retention.
The MRTP collaboration provides two years of professional development to school leaders (principals and superintendents) through participation in
School Administrators of Montana’s Leaders Professional Learning Program. Montana School Boards Association provides trustees and board members with professional development.
If you know that in the future, your district will have an open position, we’ll do our best to match an appropriate candidate with your district. This will depend on the licensure areas and locations of candidates, but the more options we have, the more likely we can make successful matches. You could also host the practicum and student teaching (year-long teaching residency), even if you don’t know for sure that a position will be available the following year.
