Staff

Tami WardPrincipal

Tami Ward Biography

Tami Ward is the principal of Creston School. Tami graduated from the University of Montana Western in 2003 and started her teaching career in kindergarten, as well as music and P.E. for K-6th grade students. Tami also spent six years teaching first grade and 3 ½ years teaching 5th and 6th grade. After completing her Masters in Literacy, she worked to implement reading, writing, and math workshop in her classroom. Tami is married to Rob, and they have two children, four grandchildren, and one adventurous and curious springer spaniel. Teaching, leading, and living in Creston is a complete joy.

Tammy BartosClerk

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Tammy Bartos Biography

Tammy Bartos was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and there met her husband. She’s worked most of her adult years in administrative/bookkeeping jobs in a variety of office settings. In 2003 she and her family we were able to move to the Flathead Valley. They have 4 children – all boys – all attended Creston Elementary School. Tammy is involved in children’s ministry at church, enjoys reading, camping, boating, and movie nights with her family.

Since 2003 she has been involved at the school in some way – field trips, serving lunch, reading with students. In 2011 she was excited to have the opportunity to work here at Creston as a paraprofessional. In May of 2016, she became the district clerk; her duties also involve working in the library, as well as recess duty and a variety of other miscellaneous responsibilities that make each day an adventure. “I can hardly call what I do a job, because it is truly a joy to be involved in the lives and education of the students here; and the teachers and staff I interact with are amazing!”

Shanta MilneKindergarten

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Shanta Milne Biography

Shanta Milne is the Kindergarten teacher at Creston School. Shanta started her teaching career at Creston school after graduating from the University of Montana in the spring of 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She has experience in first grade and kindergarten and recently completed her minor in early childhood development through The University of Montana Western. It is her goal to create an interactive and engaging environment where all students have the opportunity to learn. Shanta and her husband enjoy hiking, huckleberry picking, boating, fishing, and camping adventures around the area.

Melissa PottsFirst Grade

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Melissa Potts Biography

Melissa Potts graduated from Bigfork High School and graduated from FVCC with an Associate of Arts degree and then moved to Bozeman to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in K-8 elementary. Melissa completed her student teaching at the Bigfork Elementary School in a first grade classroom. After completing student teaching, she substituted for Bigfork, Swan River, and Creston Schools. In the spring of 2002, Melissa was hired as a Special Education aide at the Swan River School. The following years she worked at the A.W.A.R.E office in Dillon, Montana, operated a family daycare in Bigfork to raise her two wonderful children, and then was hired on at the Creston School for the 2010-2011 school year to teach kindergarten. The following year, Melissa was hired to teach third grade. The positive and friendly atmosphere of the staff has given her the desire and love to continue teaching children here at the Creston School.

Jen JohnsonSecond Grade

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Jen Johnson Biography

Jen Johnson is from Missoula, Montana where she attended the University of Montana. Her teaching career has moved her around Montana, from Browning, to Havre, and finally in Creston. She earned her Masters in 2011 in Curriculum and Instruction. She loves the community here in Creston and the surrounding outdoor opportunities. She loves to snowboard, hike, kayak, and find adventures.

Pauline DavidsonThird Grade

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Pauline Davidson

Pauline Davidson majored in Spanish and Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Development in Texas at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Upon graduation, she continued to study by completing a Master’s of Spanish Language and Literature from Middlebury College. Her career began teaching kindergarten in Texas. After marrying, Pauline and her husband moved to Indianapolis where she taught kindergarten at an International School. Her career was paused after the birth of her three children. Now those three children are older and have all attended Creston School. She has been a substitute teacher at Creston School for two years and is happy to now be the new third grade teacher. Hiking, cooking, and spending time with family are her favorite things to do.

Jamie ShanksFourth Grade

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Jamie Shanks Biography

Jamie Shanks teaches fourth grade and has been at Creston School for 15 years. Mrs. Shanks earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Montana State University- Bozeman. She is a native Montanan and lives with her husband and three children in Bigfork. Mrs. Shanks enjoys spending time camping, swimming, and exploring the outdoors with her family. She feels very fortunate to be part of the Creston School staff and to be able to work with the school’s wonderful students and parents.

Emily RussellFifth Grade

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Emily Russell Biography

Emily Russell grew up in Kalispell, Montana. Upon high school graduation, she received a volleyball scholarship to Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, Washington. After playing two seasons, she continued her volleyball career and education at Montana State University-Northern in Havre, Montana. While at MSU-N, she graduated with a degree in elementary education and a minor in K-12 art. She began teaching at Creston in 2018. Outside of school, you’ll find Miss Russell coaching volleyball, basketball, and cross country. She enjoys being outdoors, hiking, kayaking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Janessa WilliamsSixth Grade

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Janessa Williams Biography

Janessa Williams was raised in Clancy, Montana. A small community allowed Miss Williams to get involved with sports, theater, 4-H, and art, creating a passion for each one which she is eager to share with others. Following her graduation from Jefferson High School, Janessa attended Montana State University-Billings. During her time at MSUB, Janessa competed four years on both the Women’s Basketball team, and Track and Field team. Her college experience reaffirmed her love for kids, and excitement to be in a classroom. She earned a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art K-12 Teaching. Janessa loves camping, boating, horse-riding, hiking, and is always up for a new adventure.

Cindi ConleySpecial Education

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Cindi Siler Biography

I received my Special Education degree from Western Governors University and have experience as a substitute teacher, para-educator and Special Education teacher. In addition to my position at Creston School, I work part time for the Child Development Center in Kalispell as a Direct Support Professional working directly with children who have been diagnosed with autism. I am passionate about teaching and providing learning opportunities for students who need support. I enjoy teaching Sunday School and spending time with my children, reading, camping, and hiking. To be a part of Creston School where my two children have attended since 2009 is a such a delight.

Deb ChristiansenTeacher

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Deb Christiansen Biography

Deb Christiansen teaches Title I Reading and Math across elementary grades. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming. She has also been trained to teach Reading Recovery. Deb has taught for 24 years in both Montana and Colorado. She lives in Creston with her husband Eric. They have three grown sons and two dogs. She feels very fortunate to be part of such an amazing team of teachers and to be able to work with all of Creston’s fantastic students.

Teresa MummPE, ART and Music

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Teresa Mumm Biography

Teresa Mumm teaches PE, ART and Music at Creston. She graduated 2006 from Hastings College, NE with Masters in Art of Teaching, Physical Education. She moved to Jamestown, ND where she coached volleyball and softball at the University of Jamestown, before moving to Sturgis, SD to begin her teaching career. Teresa coached softball at BHSU, taught Middle School Physical Education and Reading for nine years in Sturgis, SD before upgrading from the Black Hills to the mountains. Teresa and her husband Ben are busy parents of two busy boys, Royal and Benjamin, and they all enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking and Sweet Peaks ice cream.

Rachel LeightyClassroom Aide

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Rachel Leighty Biography

Rachel Leighty was raised in Texas and California and has resided in Montana since 2000. She is married to Mark and has two daughters, one at Flathead High School and one at Creston Elementary. They have a cat, a dog, and two rabbits.

Rachel is actively involved in her church with volunteering and welcoming visitors. She previously worked as a certified personal trainer and managed a billing/payment department. Rachel has been a classroom aide at Creston School since 2017 where she has supervised recess, lunch and the crosswalk.

She enjoys working with the staff, parents and fabulous students. She says this is the best place she has ever worked.

Katy MillerClassroom Aide

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Katy Miller Biography

Katy Miller grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana. She was married in 2004 and she and her husband moved to the Flathead Valley in 2007. They have two young boys who both attend Creston Elementary School.

Katy is a certified bookkeeper and has previously worked for non-profit organizations and in office environments.

Katy loves to garden and to be outside. She also loves to travel and experience new things. She and her husband have a heart for mission work and have travelled extensively worldwide.
Katy is excited to be a part of Creston Elementary.

Jeff HagenBus Driver/Maintenance

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Jeff Hagen Biography

Jeff Hagen was raised in Kalispell, Montana. Together, with his wife he has six grown children. They have two dogs and enjoy kayaking, camping and fishing.

Jeff has been active in his community by volunteering at church and the Fair-Mont-Egan School Board. He previously worked in mechanics as a heavy equipment/diesel mechanic. Jeff has worked as the maintenance supervisor and school bus driver at Creston School since 2017.

Michelle BilodeauCustodian

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Michelle Bilodeau Biography

Michelle Bilodeau was born and raised in Libby Montana. And there met her husband Jim, in 1980. Michelle moved to Coeur D’Alene Idaho in 1982, where she attended North Idaho College. Her studies were in Photography and Nutrition. Michelle was married in 1984, soon after that she moved to Priest Lake Idaho. She was a nanny of three children until 1990. “What a great learning experience!”

Her first child, a son, was born in June 1990 which then took her back to Libby Mt. In 1992 she gave birth to her twin girls. In 1996 Michelle and her family moved to the Flathead Valley. At that time, she decided to home school her three children through their 5-6 grades. The next two years they attended a private Christian school, then went on to public school in Bigfork for their 8-9 grades.
While her children attended school, Michelle worked as a water aerobics instructor for the Bigfork Athletic Club and also had a house cleaning business. She is proud to say she has an engineer, a wildlife biologist and a photographer/relationship manager for a merchant services provider.

In 2008 Michelle was trained in the school of reflexology and is actively working as a reflexologist. While at the same time partnered with HTE Americas, an alternative health and wellness company. A passion of hers “To help others feel their best”.

Michelle is actively involved in her church. She enjoys reading, gardening, fishing, boating; but most importantly spending time with her family.

“I am looking forward to working with a positive – friendly staff at the Creston School”.