Counselors
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All counselors are responsible for personal, educational, and career counseling, parent conferences and contacts, registering new students, regular education representation at special education IEP/CST meetings, counseling curriculum implementation, schedule changes, cumulative record updating, pre-scheduling orientations, classroom visitations (9—12 grades), career/tech advisory board representation, bus, hall, extra-curricular duties, CRT testing, AP test proctoring, Young Parents, ACT test organization/proctoring, threat/suicide assessments, summer school registration.
Nick Budeski was born and raised in Great Falls, MT and is a CMR graduate. He studied at the University of Providence after high school and received his Bachelor's degree in English and Secondary Education. In May of 2018, he earned his Master's in School Counseling from MSU-Northern. Prior to his five years in the Great Falls Public Schools, he taught two years of grades 7-12 ELA in Fort Benton.
Mr. Budeski is the counselor for last names beginning with A—C, and his duties include ASVAB organization, Business Advisory Board, College Fair coordinator, College Visit facilitator, College in a Day liaison, CRT coordinator, Grief Group, and Military Liaison. He can be reached by telephone at 406-268-6160, or by email at nick_budeski@gfps.k12.mt.us 
Patty Pace was raised just south of Helena in Clancy, MT and graduated from Jefferson High School in Boulder. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Literacy and Special Education. The past several years she taught Literacy and Math, Kindergarten- 6th grade. Before Literacy and Math, she taught various grades in the classroom teaching Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and a K-1 combo class. While teaching, she earned her master’s degree in school counseling from Montana State University Billings.
Mrs. Pace’s duties include students with the last name beginning D-G. She is responsible for ACT testing (2nd), College Board (2nd), Crisis Team, RYLA/HOBY, Pre-ACT (2nd), PSAT(2nd) and Bridging Opportunities. Mrs. Pace can be reached by phone at (406) 268-6162 or by e-mail patricia_pace@gfps.k12.mt.us 
Jacie Schoenen was born and raised in the southeastern Montana town of Terry and graduated from Terry High School. She studied English education and psychology at Montana State University—Billings, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught 8th grade English in Glendive, Montana, for two years before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Las Vegas, she taught 9th—11th grade English and psychology. In 2003 she returned to Montana and continued her career at CMR. She earned her counseling master’s degree and taught 10th—12th English for three years before moving to the Advisement Center in 2007.
Her duties include students with last names beginning with H—L, PSAT/National Merit, Health Science Advisory Board, AP Test coordinator, Academic Variance Committee, Bridging Opportunities Committee, Building Safety Team, Class Notes/Classroom Visits organizer, Crisis Team, and Building Nurture. Mrs. Schoenen can be reached by telephone at 406-268-6112 or by email at jacie_schoenen@gfps.k12.mt.us. 
Brenda Lowry was born and raised in Great Falls and is a CMR graduate. She studied elementary education at the University of Montana and earned a bachelor’s degree in that field. For 13 years she worked at Valley View Elementary School, teaching 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades and 3-4 combo class. After earning her master’s degree in counseling from Montana State University—Northern, Brenda worked as a school counselor at Valley View and Riverview Elementary Schools for two years. She joined the CMR counseling staff in 2005.
Her counseling duties include students with last names beginning with M—R, Scholarship Coordinator, Academic Variance Committee Chair, Department Leader, District Crisis Team, SIP Team, Industrial Tech Advisory Board, Bridging Opportunities Committee, NCAA Clearinghouse Coordinator, Excellence in Education coordinator, Graduation honor regalia, Life Events Coordinator, and Scheduling Coordinator. Mrs. Lowry can be reached by telephone at 406-268-6111 or by email at brenda_lowry@gfps.k12.mt.us 
Brittany Light is a Great Falls native and graduated from Great Falls High School. She earned her bachelor's degree in Mathematics at Montana Tech in Butte and taught math and special education here at CMR for four years. During her time teaching, she earned an endorsement in Special Education and a master's degree in counseling from Montana State University-Northern.
Her counseling duties include students with last names S—Z, Website Coordinator, Visions Newsletter, District Crisis Team, Remind 101, ACT Testing Building Coordinator, College Application Week, College Fair, Enrichment coordinator, Graduation seating and coordination, and Classroom Visit Coordinator. Mrs. Light can be reached by telephone at 406-268-6110 or by email at brittany_light@gfps.k12.mt.us 
Melissa DeBruycker is our Student Services Specialist (Special Education). She grew up in Whitefish, MT and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from The University of Montana-Western. She obtained her MA in Curriculum and Instruction the Inclusive Classroom from Concordia. She recently received her Administrative Certificate from the University of Montana. Melissa has taught the past 6 years at Valley View Elementary here in Great Falls as a K-6 Special Education teacher. Prior to coming to Great Falls, Melissa taught at Sidney High School as a Resource/Self-contained teacher and in Bozeman as a middle and high school special education teacher.
Part of her duties include administrating IEP meetings, scheduling identified students, working with parents, and supporting teachers within the Special Education department. Mrs. DeBruycker can be reached by phone at 406-268-7518 or by e-mail at melissa_debruycker@gfps.k12.mt.us |