The Institute for Educational Opportunities (The Institute) at Montana Tech has appointed Rayelynn Connole as the Director of the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (Cfwep.Org). Connole began her directorship on March 1, 2013.
Connole has been a key staff member of the Cfwep.Org team since 2007 and has been instrumental in developing the program’s curriculum and teacher professional development programs. In addition, Rayelynn brings a plethora of formal education and leadership experiences to the Cfwep.Org team. She began her career as the Education Director for Alternative Youth Adventures in Boulder, MT where she developed her grant writing and leadership skills. During her tenure as Cfwep.Org’s Curriculum Coordinator, Rayelynn secured over $1.9 million in grant funds for the program. She has held grants with the Office of Public Instruction’s Math Science Partnership program for the past six years and has created teacher professional development programs in science, which have included partners across the State of Montana University system and throughout Montana’s K-12 systems.
“I am looking forward to further developing the program’s mission of developing tomorrow’s watershed stewards,” noted Connole. “I believe that through education, balanced industry actions, and advocacy, we can ensure a healthy environment for Montana’s citizens. I intend to continue the legacy set forth by the program’s Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) classroom outreach and further develop the program’s teacher professional development activities.”
Connole is focused on helping create discerning students who will be able to make sound, logical scientifically-based decisions about the future of our watershed. Specifically, she intends to grow the program’s stormwater outreach program, the Office of Public Instruction professional development program, Montana Tech Undergraduate research focused on the restoration, and seek opportunities for growth in other Superfund regions throughout the Northwest.
"The Institute is proud of Cfwep.Org’s history and service to the students and teachers of the Clark Fork Basin,” said Amy Verlanic, Executive Director of the Institute for Educational Opportunities. “We are confident that under Rayelynn Connole's leadership the program can continue and build upon this work."
For more information, please contact Rayelynn Connole at 406-496-4898.