Head of School

B.A. Liberal Arts

B.A. Elementary Education

M.A. Educational Leadership

Julie received a BA in Liberal Arts with an EVST emphasis, a BA in Elementary Education with High Honors from the University of Montana and an MA in Educational Leadership. Julie is an active member of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools and serves on accreditation teams to support the ongoing improvement of our regions independent schools. Julie is an IB Educator who delivers PYP workshops to schools and at conferences across North America. Julie has been with MIS as a professional educator and MIS alumni parent since its founding in 1995.

Assistant Head of School

B.A. History

M.S. Environmental Studies

California Teaching Credential

After graduating from Willamette University in 1998, Jeff began teaching 5th and 6th grade in Altadena, California through Teach for America. For the last 19 years Jeff has taught students from 1st to 8th grade in a variety of middle school and elementary school settings. In addition to teaching University writing classes, Jeff currently is a faculty affiliate at the University of Montana’s Phyllis Washington School of Education. Jeff won a Gold Star Award in Teaching Excellence for his work at MIS in 2010. In 2014 Jeff completed a two year fellowship with the National Association of Independent Schools in School Leadership. While completing his master’s degree at the University of Montana Jeff joined MIS in 2003. He became Assistant Head of School in 2010. In addition to his administrative responsibilities Jeff teaches 8th grade history.

Chief Financial Officer

B.A. Women's Studies

M.S. Accounting

Gini and her husband Rich have called Montana home since 1997. They have been involved with MIS since 2002 when their older daughter was ready to start preschool. Having traveled and lived all over the world, Gini was excited to find a school in Missoula that would provide opportunities to experience other cultures and a different language. All three of her children (Lia, Will, and Nina) are now proud MIS graduates. Gini owned a business in downtown Missoula and managed grant funding for a local non-profit. In 2015 she earned a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Montana and obtained her CPA license. She has since been an auditor with a local public accounting firm that specializes in working with non-profit organizations. Gini joined MIS as CFO in 2018 and is happy to return to this community that gave so much to her family while her children were growing up.

Director of Admissions & Communication

B.A. Political Science

Susan has played a variety of roles in her career including a former MIS parent. Susan studied Political Science at UCLA and worked in marketing positions in the Silicon Valley, including Apple and Adobe Systems. Susan has been a Montanan since 2000 and has served in various volunteer roles with MIS, Providence Montana Health Foundation, Missoula Symphony Association and CASA. She is also co-owner of The Olde Dairy and The Trough in Target Range. Susan is the proud parent of MIS alumnus, Oliver, who is in college at the University of Oregon studying Business Entrepreneurship and Spanish.

Director of Primary Years

M.A. Teaching, ESL endorsement

B. A. Sociology, Minor in Spanish

Kate joined MIS in the summer of 2023 in a new leadership position at the school.

Kate brings a strong leadership background and classroom experience to MIS. She has a Masters in Teaching from Washington State University and has been in the classroom since 2007. She taught in bilingual schools in Colorado and at Washington Middle School in Missoula. Kate started her journey at MIS as a parent of 2 children before joining the leadership team. Kate brings new perspectives, experiences, and energy to the MIS team.

Administrative Assistant

Jessica is an experienced administrative assistant with over 20 years of administrative experience, including over 6 years in a similar position in a Montessori school. She moved to Missoula a little over two years ago to follow her granddaughter, who attends preschool here at MIS. She holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in writing. She is also a published poet, essayist, fiction, and non-fiction author. Jessica gives writing workshops and is an editor and book coach as well as our Administrative Assistant! Jessica brings experience and creativity to the front office, along with a dedication to MIS's mission.