By Bridget Reed
This school year, Britton Paulson, an MSU-Northern student in the Montana Teacher Residency Program, has joined Mrs. Elissa Zellmer’s 5th and 6th grade class. Miss Paulson, a Havre native, will graduate college this spring after the completion of the 2025-26 school year.
Although the Montana Teacher Residency Program (MTRP) was established in 2022, Miss Paulson is among the first students from MSUN gaining a full year’s experience of teaching. The program requires residents to teach for a full year, follow the school’s schedule, keep a passing GPA, and teach in Montana for three years after graduation. Additionally, the resident and teacher leader complete work and training to ensure a well-rounded education. Along with a full year’s experience, residents earn a monthly stipend and district-provided housing.
Paulson also noted that the MTRP targets rural communities, making Turner School a viable choice. She explained that she likes the Big Flat community and found the school “super cute.” She also shared that she wanted to see how multi-grade classrooms operated, since she did not experience that as a Havre High School alumnus.
Miss Paulson began the school year with a goal of improving her ability to interact with kids and understand a young student’s thought process. She said that she has already built onto these skills so much since the beginning of the school year, but still strives to be “excellent at understanding” students.
When contacted by MTRP, Principal Jenni McAllister recommended Zellmer for the role as Paulson’s teacher leader. Mrs. Zellmer agreed to take on this position since her teacher while student-teaching, Mrs. Hyatt, eagerly welcomed her. Zellmer expressed that she would always pay that hospitality forward to help another student.
According to Zellmer and Paulson, the MTRP is “very beneficial” for future Montana teachers. Mrs. Zellmer explained that she felt the program helps new teachers feel more prepared and free to better enjoy their first year. In addition, Miss Paulson hopes “this residency program becomes the basic program that teachers use.” She also described the program as “awesome” and wants other teachers to have this fulfilling experience.