P.O. Box 202501 • Helena, MT 59620-2501
406-444-3083 Title I and Federal Programs Director, Private School Ombudsman
Work-Related Duties:
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.
406-444-2423 Migrant Education Director
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.
406-410-4098Title III Specialist
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!
406-410-4578 Federal Grants Coordinator Title I, Part A Program Specialist
Kimberly Rebich is the Federal Grants Coordinator at the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Prior to joining the OPI in 2023, she spent over 18 years in teaching and administrative roles within Title I schools across Montana. In her role at the OPI she provides program support and technical assistance to Montana's school districts and administrators with ESEA Federal Education Title Programs. She oversees ESEA Consolidated Title Program Monitoring for the OPI, ensuring district-level compliance with ESEA federal regulations and enhancing the overall effectiveness of ESEA Federal Education Title Programs across Montana's schools. Kimberly provides districts with program support and technical assistance with their Title I, Part A programs. Additionally, she reviews ESEA Consolidated and Title I, Part A grant applications, providing ongoing program support and technical assistance throughout the application and grant management processes.
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.
406-444-2036 Instructional 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.
406-444-0794 Federal Programs Coordinator
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.
406-444-2736 Title & School Support Analyst
Amber graduated with honors from the University of Montana in 2005 where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education, along with a minor in Business and Information Technology. She began working at Office of Public Instruction in 2015.
406-444-XXXX Federal Programs Coordinator
Federal Programs Home
