Looking forward to a smaller setting

SEELEY LAKE - New Seeley-Swan High School math teacher Melissa Lapka is excited to kick off the school year and engrain herself in the school and community.

"I'm just looking forward to incorporating myself into this new school and [getting] to know all the kids, the families, [as well as] going to see all the extracurriculars," she said.

Lapka will teach Algebra 1 and Geometry classes.

She graduated from the University of Montana with degrees in secondary math education and psychology. She previously taught math at Big Sky High School in Missoula for 14 years. 

"I always knew I wanted to do something in the educational setting," she said. "I just didn't know if I wanted to be a school counselor or a curriculum teacher. But ultimately, I chose to be a math teacher."

Lapka is originally from Missoula but moved to Ovando six years ago. Her children currently attend Ovando Elementary School where she also serves as a member of the school board.

One of her biggest motivations for transferring was so she could work closer to home. She said she is also looking forward to the smaller classroom setting.

"I [can] spend way more one-on-one time [with students] than I ever did at my old school, which I'm super excited about," she said. "I went from classes of 30, to classes of 10. So the amount of work I can do with 10 kids is huge."

Because SSHS is a part of Missoula County Public Schools, Lapka was able to learn about the position through her network. She found out about the opening last spring. She believes she will bring a positive and enthusiastic energy to the classroom.

"I love working with kids," she said. "My ultimate goal is to make kids know and [enjoy] math."

While she is not personally implementing any changes to how her classes were previously structured, this year the school is implementing a new math curriculum that is roughly 40% computer based and 60% based on classroom instruction and book work.

"The kids are awesome," she said. "I've got great kids in my classes. The staff is awesome, the school is great and it's been a really easy transition."

Outside of the class, Lapka enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three kids. They love taking their boat out and floating along rivers.