Greetings! 

I am so excited and fortunate  to be teaching at Jeannette Rankin Elementary and working with your child this year. It’s going to be a great year full of fun, learning, and adventure. I can’t wait to see what 2023-2024 has in store!

My husband, Nate, and I have lived in Missoula for 22 years. We moved here from Ann Arbor, Michigan where I was born and raised. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a HUGE Wolverine fan! I moved to Montana to live in the mountains where I would be able to access the outdoor activities I love such as: hiking, snow boarding, cross country skiing, rock climbing, and camping.

I have two children, Gabriel (16) and Alayna (19), who keep me busy when I am not at school. Gabe plays piano/percussion, hockey, and golf. Alayna is runs track, plays volleyball and is thinking about what she will do after graduation this year. They both love to ski as well!

This will be my 27th year of teaching! I taught 1st grade in Saline, Michigan after receiving my Elementary Teaching and Masters in Reading degrees from Eastern Michigan University. When I moved to Montana, I taught 7/8 grade English and 5th grade in Bonner while taking Educational Leadership classes at The University of Montana. Once I came to MCPS, I taught kindergarten at Lowell and then moved to Cold Springs/Jeannette Rankin and taught 2nd grade for 13 years. I’m excited to teach 5th grade again this year!

I believe strongly that a winning combination for a successful school year is when a parent and teacher work together to monitor the child’s progress and well-being. Good communication is very important, so please help me with information you think I should know, and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you for all that you do to support your child. I know we are going to have a wonderful year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Shepard