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Big Sky Teachers and Students Learning Online Montana Digital Academy connects Montana schools

BY EMILY STIFLER

Cassie Kapes, a Spanish teacher at Ophir School and LPHS, also has students from Libby, Colstrip, Conrad, Victor and other rural towns across Montana. Mrs. Kapes is one of over 60 Montana teachers working as part of a brand new online teaching program called Montana Digital Academy (MTDA). Enrollment was free this year, and MTDA offered accredited classes ranging from core subjects to AP and electives.

One of five Spanish teachers in the program, Mrs. Kapes assigns lessons every day and a quiz every couple weeks. Her students also have writing and speaking quizzes they record directly onto a computer program. She says for students who wouldn’t have the option to take Spanish, it’s a great opportunity—as long as they are self motivated and driven.

“I do harp on them if they’re not getting their work done, but they can ignore my emails and feel no immediate consequences, because I’m not physically there.” She adds that language can be hard to learn online.

MTDA’s website reports Spanish I and Digital Photography were the most popular courses in the opening semester. Physical Education, English, Psychology, Health, French I, Web Design, Earth Science, Latin I, and U.S. History round out the top ten. Big Sky kids are also on board, with several students enrolled in virtual classes. Montana Digital Academy allows students to access coursework “whenever and wherever they want and learn at their own pace.” The program aims to help students meet college admissions requirements, make up missed or failed classes, resolve scheduling conflicts, and take advanced coursework—“allowing more students to graduate on time.”