Potomac teacher receives First Rural Educator Stipend

MISSOULA - BroadbandMT (dba, the Montana Telecommunications Association-MTA) awarded its first annual rural educator stipend to Abby Stitt, fourth/fifth grade teacher at Potomac Elementary School. Stitt will receive $1,500 annually from the MTA's Rural Education Fund for three years. Additionally, Blackfoot Communications is matching MTA's stipend for Stitt for a total of $9,000.

MTA represents locally owned, community-based broadband providers serving rural Montana.

"MTA's member companies understand the importance of maintaining vibrant schools in rural Montana. These companies have been committed for decades not only to investing in telecommunications infrastructure and quality jobs but maintaining the vitality of the communities they serve," said Charlotte Lauerman, Operations Manager of MTA, in a press release. "The rural educator stipend is designed to enhance the quality of life for rural educators and the students and communities they serve."

MTA recently restructured its scholarship program to create the rural educator stipend. MTA's Rural Education Fund will donate $1,500 annually to three qualified teachers over three years-for a total of $4,500 for each teacher. Teachers apply by the March 1 deadline. One finalist from each member company is selected and the MTA board selects the final candidate.

Stitt said she learned of the stipend from Potomac School Principal John Rouse.

"After reading the requirements, I just decided to apply and see what happened," Stitt wrote in an email.

Stitt is a combined fourth/fifth grade teacher at Potomac Elementary in Potomac. She was born and raised in Montana-attending Bonner High School and getting her Masters at University of Montana. She's been teaching at Potomac School since 2009.

Being a teacher in a small rural school means she wears many hats in and outside the classroom including being "unofficial IT person," helping with technology issues and enrolling students in digital academic programs.

"Due to smaller budgets and higher turnover rates, rural schools do the very best they can with what they have," said Stitt in the press release. "A lot is asked of a small staff with the added responsibilities and it is not unusual for rural teachers to spend their own money on classroom needs."

John Rouse, Principal at Potomac Elementary School, noted that Stitt is a key member of the School Leadership Team where her opinions and experience are highly valued by her colleagues.

"Over the years as an administrator, I have mentally prepared an 'All Star' teaching staff that I would wish to have in my dream school," Rouse said. "Abby Stitt would be the first-round draft choice for that 'All Star' group of teachers."

Stitt was chosen among nine candidates.

"All the candidates submitted from MTA members were highly qualified, inspirational educators. It was a tough decision," Lauerman wrote in an email. "The board chose Abby after considerable deliberation."

"It means a lot to be recognized," Stitt wrote. "Rural schools obviously have smaller budgets than larger districts, which limits the availability of money for various opportunities, materials and salaries. Turnover rates in rural schools can be high due to these factors. By providing this stipend to me and others in the future, I'm hopeful that rural schools can improve teacher retention and build a strong, solid staff. Students and districts benefit greatly from consistency and I appreciate these efforts to help the small schools of Montana."

Stitt does not have specific plans for the funds other than purchasing classroom supplies as needs arise and continuing to build her classroom library. She also hopes to use some of the stipend to engage in opportunities for high quality professional development.

Lauerman said the stipend program was so popular among MTA's members that many member companies initiated their own rural educator stipend, awarding stipends to the candidates who were not chosen for the MTA stipend. Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest reported in 2019 that 65% of rural schools in remote settings reported difficulty filling vacancies, compared with 35% of non-rural.

"Finding and keeping quality teachers in rural schools in Montana is a high priority for MTA members and the communities they're proud to be apart of," Laureman wrote. "MTA is proud to honor rural educators in Montana with this rural educator stipend, and we look forward to contributing in the future to attracting and retaining great teachers in Montana's rural communities."

"I am very appreciative of Blackfoot Communications and Montana Telecommunications Association/BroadbandMT for this recognition and stipend, as well as for their continued support of rural schools around Montana," Stitt added. "I am also very thankful to Mr. Rouse and my wonderful colleagues at Potomac School. We have been working so hard these past few years and have become a very strong team that cares deeply for our students and their success. I'm excited for the upcoming school year!"