Federal Programs- Meet the Team

Zach Hawkins

406-444-3083
Title I and Federal Programs Director,
Private School Ombudsman

Work-Related Duties:

1. Oversight and Coordination of Title 1 and Federal Programs, Allocations, Administration, and Monitoring
2. Legislative Audits and U.S. Department of Ed. Communications
3. Provides Consultation and Technical Assistance to Districts and School Administrators
4. Coordinates National Distinguished Schools Program in MT

Zach Hawkins has worked at the OPI since 2018. He served as the Indian Education for All Director before assuming the role of Title I/Federal Programs Director and Private School Ombudsman. Prior to joining the OPI, he worked in Federal college access programs for 12 years, most notably as the Director of the Montana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) program for 5 years. At the beginning of his career, he taught middle and high school social studies in Hays Lodgepole and Heart Butte.

His professional accomplishments include guiding the Hays Lodgepole Thunderbirds football team to their first victory in 5 years, receiving the Helena Education Foundation’s Distinguished Educator Award, and co-leading the National Council for Community Educational Partnerships’ College and Career Readiness Evaluation Project.

Zach and his wife have two sons aged 12 and 15. In his free time, he attends his sons’ mountain bike races and hockey games, skis, and explores Montana with his family.

 Angela Branz-Spall

406-444-2423
Migrant Education Director
 

Work-Related Duties:

1. Supervises IDR/Data Collection MIS 2000 /MSIX
2. Subgrating/Allocations to LEA/LOA
3. Supervises Comprehensive Needs Assessment Process
4. Supervises Service Delivery Plan/Evaluation

Angela Branz-Spall is the Title I Part C Migrant Education Program State Director. In this capacity she oversees the implementation of all aspects of the Migrant Education Program which is a state administered and operated program. This includes all administrative activities that are unique to the MEP, such as the identification and recruitment of all eligible migratory children located in the state, interstate and intrastate coordination of the Montana MEP and its local projects with other relevant programs and local projects in the state and in other states, as well as procedures for providing for educational continuity for migratory children through the timely transfer of educational and health records. She is responsible for collecting and using information for accurate distribution of subgrant funds through the E grant management system and the development of a statewide needs assessment, service delivery plan and evaluation. Angela has spent her career in public education as a classroom teacher, local program administrator and federal grants manager. She is a past-president of the National Association of State Directors of Migrant Educators (NASDME) and currently serves as the Western Stream representative of NASDME and the Chair of the NASDME Scholarship Committee.

 Serena Wright

406-410-4098
Title III Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

1. Title III Specialist
2. Title I Specialist
3. Family Engagement Coordinator

Serena Wright is the Title III Specialist for the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Before the OPI, Serena was a teacher for over 17 years in the East Bay of northern California. Her entire career has been working with students who qualify as Title 1; English Learners, Socio-Economically Disadvantaged, and Migratory. She began teaching in a large urban school district as a bilingual teacher at a school with an EL and socio-economically disadvantaged population of almost 80%. Over the last 10+ years, Serena was the EL Coordinator in a small rural, farming community with only 3 schools, no high school, and an EL population of about 10%. During COVID, she became the community liaison in a sense, working behind the scenes to make sure the kids who were home alone had what they needed; clothing, food, supplies, and technology. The position here at the OPI as the State Homeless Coordinator was the perfect step because she could continue the work she loves surrounded by teams of district staff who have the same deep care for struggling families.

Serena is married and has 3 children. They love all things DISNEY, Disney parks, Disney movies, and they are excited to explore their new state and all it has to offer!

Justine Guthrie

406-444-2036
Instructional Coordinator
 
 

Work-Related Duties:

1. State Coordinator of Homeless Education
2. Title I Specialist
3. Family Engagement Coordinator

Justine has spent over 15 years in public education as a Teacher, Behavior Specialist and School Principal in all grade levels K-12. She holds a BA from the University of Montana in History- Political Science and Secondary Education, a Master’s of Education in Alternative Education and Graduate Certificate in School Principals. In her career she has been drawn to positions of support and has enjoyed working with at-risk youth. She enjoys supporting school staff to provide quality and engaging learning for all students. At OPI she is excited to serve Montana Schools!

She is a mother of two and finds her greatest life pleasures in spending time with her children. In her spare time she can be found attending her kids’ basketball games or following them around the great outdoors. She is an avid gardener.