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Julia Caro

406-444-5182
Data Operations Senior Manager


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Direct the daily operations of the bureau and supervise data professionals.
  2. Oversees all matters related to the collection, management, reporting and analysis of data.
  3. Researches, develops and disseminates appropriate policies and guidelines to address new and changing issues relating to operational data management processes and procedures.

Meghann Spring

 Meghann Spring

406-444-0793
Ed Facts Coordinator


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Functions as the EdFacts Coordinator for the submission of data to the federal government.
  2. Manages the federal allocation process for Title I-A, Title I-D, Title II-A, Title III, Title IV-A, Title V (REAP), ABE (Adult Education), Carl D. Perkins, and State Vo-Ed (State CTE). Coordinates with all stakeholders in the allocation process to discuss goals, objectives, options, and expected results. Interprets federal and state laws which directly impact the allocation calculation process.
  3. Central Systems Data Maintenance: Update the OPI Central database to maintain a centrally available, reliable source for data related to Montana schools, districts, and SPED cooperatives based on approved data worksheet.

Meghann was born and raised in North Central Montana, moved to Helena in the late ‘90s to attend Carroll College. With numerous years of State Government service under her belt, she enjoys reviewing data and working “behind the scenes” to support Montana Public schools, teachers and students. As the EdFacts Coordinator for the OPI, Meghann works to support stakeholders of the OPI and reporting to the Department of Education. She is always down for a good laugh or joke, and spending time with family and friends.

Amber Buchanan

 Amber Buchanan

406-444-2736
Title & School Support Analyst


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Data and research analyst within the Federal Title I Part A and C, Title II, Title V, and Title IX programs including Migrant education, Homeless Education, Foster Education, Neglected/Delinquent programs, School Support and Improvement, and other federal programs.
  2. Trains users in the field on how to use the data systems for their own evaluation of their program, including the Title I Part C Migrant education migrant specific data bases.
  3. Perform quality assurance and quality control on data and evaluate the accuracy, veracity, and reliability of source information.

Amber graduated with honors from the University of Montana in 2005 where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, with a concentration in Education, along with a Business and Information Technology Education minor. She began working at Office of Public Instruction in 2015.

Scott Furois

 Scott Furois

406-444-3545
Operations Research Analyst


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Assessment Data Analyst
  2. Analyze and interpret PK-12 education data
  3. Perform quality assurance and quality control on data

Mattie Murphy

 Mattie Murphy


Teacher Data Coordinator


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Manage Teacher Learning Hub
  2. Data analysis (fulfill teacher data requests)
  3. Project Manager (current managing the rebranding of the PDUPS system)

Garret Morrill

 Garret Morrill

406-444-3613
ESSER Data Analyst


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Collect and analyze ESSER-related data
  2. Organize data for ESSER Federal reporting
  3. Coordinate with ESSER team to provide useful data

Garrett Morrill, ESSER Data Analyst, was born in Great Falls, and graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Montana. As a third generation Montanan, Garret wanted to give back to the state that his family helped build. His professional experiences include interning with the McLaughlin Research Institute, assisting small businesses with Blackstone Launchpad, providing technical consulting with ATG-Cognizant, and more. He hopes to assist Montana’s schools by providing the very best data for our educators, legislators, and administrators.

Anna Hoerner

 Anna Hoerner

406-444-3000
Data Modernization Coordinator


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Participate in data modernization project meetings
  2. Coordinate completion of the data modernization project with internal and external stakeholders
  3. Organize data project timelines

Anna grew up in Washington and moved to Helena to attend Carroll College. She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Political Science in 2016. In 2022, she received her MBA from the University of Mary. Before starting at OPI, she worked at Shodair for five years. She also coaches students in speech and debate. In her free time, Anna enjoys being outside and spending time with friends and family.

 


 

Achievement in Montana (AIM)

Submit an AIM Help Desk Ticket or call 1-877-424-6681 or 406-444-3800

 

Nicole Thuotte

 Nicole Thuotte

406-444-2080
AIM Unit Manager


Work-Related Duties:

  1. AIM Student Information System Manager
  2. AIM TEAMS System Manager
  3. School Elections

Nicole has been with the OPI for more than 18 years, and has worked in Educator Licensure, School Finance, and IT & Data. She enjoys working with schools, helping them understand the importance of timely and accurate data collections - and working with the schools to reduce the burden of increased demand for data. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her children, sports of all kinds (coaching, playing, watching), and traveling to new places.

Jennifer Straw

 Jennifer Straw

406-444-0714
AIM Data Resource Specialist


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Analyzes the accuracy and appropriateness of data collected from schools and districts for inclusion in the statewide student database and data warehouse.
  2. Maintains Ad Hoc Reporting functionality in the SIS State Published Reports. Also maintains ad hoc reporting for the AIM staff and other data owners to verify the accuracy of the data in the SIS.
  3. Develop and maintain validation and certification reports for scheduled data collection for state and federal reporting.

Jennifer is a Montana native and has worked for the OPI since August 2016.  She maintains the State Published Ad Hoc filters in AIM and develop and maintain validation reports for data collections.  Jennifer also monitors data to identify duplicate students and other potential student and enrollment issues as well as providing technical support for districts and OPI staff in all of these areas.

Andy Boehm

 Andy Boehm

406-444-0375
AIM Data Information Specialist


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Research Specialist
  2. Non Public Schools
  3. Student Information Cleanup
  4. Graduate and Dropout collecting and Q&A

Andy has been a Research Specialist since 2002 and has worked with AIM since the 2006-07 school year. Andy is a Data Steward for dropout, graduate, and cohort data collection. This includes reviewing certification status and contacting districts for follow-up. Andy provides technical support for districts and OPI staff as it relates to the AIM data collections. He manages communication and data collection for the annual Non-Public student enrollment data collection. This includes private school and home school students.

Shara Blair

 Shara Blair

406-444-0685
Research Analyst/Data Specialist


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Provides support to Montana schools for Special Education records and data collection/reporting in AIM.
  2. Analyzes education records data for quality assurance and integrity to enable effective agency decisions and reporting.
  3. Develops and presents documentation or materials as needed to support data collections and reporting systems.

Shara joined OPI in January 2023. She holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Montana. She has been connected to K-12 education in some capacity since 2000. She has a passion for learning, collaboration and continual growth. She is proud to serve and support the administrators, educators, and staff that serve Montana schools, students and families. She and her husband, Dave, enjoy life in the Montana sun, waters and starry skies.

 

Justin Willcut Headshot

 Justin Willcut

406-444-4706
IT Systems Support


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Provide “Achievement in Montana” (AIM) technical expertise, guidance, training, and support.
  2. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues for users regarding the Student Information System (SIS).
  3. Work with school district personnel to correct data file information as inaccurate reporting and data entry errors arise.

Justin was born and raised in Kalispell and has lived in Helena since 2002. After moving to Helena, he worked in several IT roles at the Montana Department of Transportation until leaving there in 2013. For the last 11 years, he has been self-employed as a handyman, Realtor, IT contractor, and as a staff member of a local church. He’s excited to again be working for the State of Montana and have the opportunity to serve and support Montana’s schools. Outside of work, he has been married for over 20 years and has 4 kids. Justin enjoys outdoor activities in the mountains and on the water and has spent the last several years involved with youth sports.

 


 

GEMS

 

Robin Clausen

 Robin Clausen

406-444-3793
SLDS Stakeholder Liaison


Work-Related Duties:

  1. Research
  2. Reporting
  3. Data Requests

Dr. Robin Clausen works closely on two grants from the Institute of Education Science. He conducts primary research into the policy implications of supplemental poverty measures and in the area of dropout prevention. The commonality of his work centers on reporting; whether it be a research summary or providing OPI data to researchers throughout the US. In his free time, he focuses on family and everything Montanan (except for Bozeman where he grew up).