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!

Kimberly Rebich

406-410-4578
Federal Grants Coordinator 

Work-Related Duties:

1. ESEA Consolidated Monitoring Coordinator
2. Monitors Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to ensure adherence to federal regulations governing ESEA Federal Education Programs.
3. Provides technical support to LEAs regarding ESEA Federal Education Programs & Grants.
4. Title I, Part A Specialist

Kimberly Rebich serves as the Federal Grants Coordinator within the Federal Programs Unit of the School Innovation & Improvement department at the Montana Office of Public Instruction. In her current position, she coordinates ESEA Consolidated Monitoring for the OPI to monitor and assess the effectiveness of ESEA Federal Education Programs across Montana's school districts. Kimberly provides guidance, technical support, and consultations to these districts, fostering communication and sharing insights for program enhancement, while ensuring compliance with ESEA Federal Education Program requirements. Additionally, she evaluates ESEA Consolidated Grant applications and Title I, Part A grant applications, and provides guidance and technical support for Title I, Part A Programs and Grants to LEAs. 

Before joining the OPI, Kimberly dedicated over eighteen years to teaching and administration in Title I schools throughout Montana. Kimberly holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, a Master of Science in Teaching and Learning, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She enjoys spending quality time with her six children and expresses her gratitude to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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.

 Paige Sedahl

406-422-2821
Title IV A Program Manager

Work-Related Duties:

1. Title IV-A Specialist
2. Stronger Connections Grant Specialist
3. Title IV-A Monitoring Specialist

Paige Sedahl grew up in Havre, MT, and went to college at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. After college, her and her husband moved to Seattle, WA where they both attended graduate school. Paige received her Masters in Teaching Education with a focus on math and science education at Seattle Pacific University. While living in Seattle, Paige taught 8th-grade science for Seattle Public Schools. Paige is part of the Federal Programs Team and the Coordinated School Health Team as the Title IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program Manager. Paige also oversaw the Stronger Connections Grant program.

Paige is married and has one son. In her free time, you can usually find Paige somewhere outside, either hiking, skiing, running, or at the park with her son and dog. Paige loves to spend time traveling and trying new restaurants with her family and friends, but especially loves exploring with her son, dog, and husband. 

Marisa Britton-Bostwick

406-444-0794
Federal Programs Coordinator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Title I Part D Specialist
2. Title II Specialist
3. Title V Specialist
4. Foster Care Point of Contact

Marisa has spent over 25 years in Education as a teacher and an administrator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Montana State University-Billings, a Masters in School Administration from Chapman University and a specialized graduate credential in Literacy from University of California-Los Angeles. In her career, she has focused on assisting English language learners, at risk youth and students involved in the justice system to have supports in place to be successful in school and in the community. She also strives to work with all parties associated with children in foster care and how to best support them in Montana schools. It is also important to her, to work with stakeholders, schools and families to help schools and students achieve their educational goals.