Returning to the classroom with a new perspective

SEELEY LAKE – Ever since learning about heredity in her sixth-grade science class with Sharon Teague at Seeley Lake Elementary, Shelby Holmes loved science. As she continued onto junior high with teacher Patti Bartlett and the "super engaging curriculum" including monitoring water quality in Morrell Creek "I was hooked. Tonya [Smith] just continued that love for it."

Holmes, a 2014 Seeley-Swan High School graduate, returned this year as the new SSHS science teacher. Holmes said being a first-year teacher, she has a fresh perspective since she was a student and student athlete so recently. She can relate and hopefully can bring new ideas into the classroom while continuing many of the existing projects and collaborations already established.

Holmes said teaching runs in her family. Both of her parents are teachers at SSHS and her great grandma was one of the first teachers in the valley at the one-room schoolhouse in the Swan Valley.

"It is contagious," said Holmes. "The passion my parents have for education, sports and students I got to experience firsthand. It just makes you want to do it."

Following high school graduation, Holmes attended Miles Community College and played basketball for two years. She graduated with her Associates Degree in Education in 2016. She went to Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, six miles outside of Boston. She double majored in education and biology while continuing to play basketball.

During the summers, Holmes worked at a number of summer camps and led the SLE Adventure Club for a couple of years.

"That was the coolest job ever," said Holmes. "You get to hang out in Seeley and you get to go on all these hikes, kayaking and mountain biking and you get to hang out with kids It was a dream come true."

During her junior year, Holmes' coach offered her a graduate assistant position so she could get a master's in education.

"Essentially it was the same amount of time but this way I got some of it paid for," said Holmes explaining it would take her five years to complete the double major. "I got to work for the school but I also got to get my education out of it as well."

Holmes worked as a graduate assistant for the basketball team for the next two years. She graduated in 2018 with a bachelor's in biology and completed her master's in education in 2019.

While student teaching seventh grade science, Holmes was asked to fill an elective position teaching a sixth through eighth grade engineering elective which she loved. She also worked as a substitute teacher.

"I love science and working with that but working with students is just something I'm passionate about as well," said Holmes. "It's the best of both worlds."

Following graduation this spring, Holmes returned to Seeley Lake. She started applying for teaching jobs and Missoula County Public Schools hired her for the SSHS Science position replacing Tonya Smith.

"My favorite teachers were the science teachers from Seeley – Patti Bartlett, Sharon Teague and Tonya Smith," said Holmes. "These ladies really influenced the teaching I want to do in my classroom and really inspired me to be a science teacher. How cool that I get to follow in Tonya's footsteps, be in her classroom and the classroom I learned science in and get to teach there."

Holmes said she has already contacted the Clearwater Resource Council to continue the monitoring work on Morrell Creek and other student projects with them. She also looks forward to implementing some cross curriculum with the teacher she student taught with in Massachusetts.

"I'm excited to collaborate and trying to use as many resources in our community as possible," said Holmes.

Holmes is also excited to work with the students. She remembers working with some of her students during the SLE Adventure Club and knows others because they are siblings of her classmates.

Holmes said, "It is cool to be so connected to the community and have that aspect."

When Holmes is not teaching or coaching the Lady Blackhawks Volleyball team, she enjoys hiking, mountain biking, working out and spending time with her family.