CONGRATULATIONS to HHS Classroom Without Walls teacher Vanessa Haflich on receiving the Bitterroot Trout Unlimited (BRTU) Earl Little Education Award. Greg Chester presented the award to Ms. Haflich during their February meeting. Earl Little was a long time member of BRTU who worked tirelessly at education programs of the chapter, particularly the Buggers program.
They presented Ms. Haflich the award because of her 5 years of working to make the "Trout in the Classroom" (TIC) program a success. Since she introduced this program into HHS, the program has now expanded to 7 valley high schools & middle schools. This is due in large part to her being willing to help new teachers get oriented to the program. It provides students the opportunity to raise trout from fertilized eggs to releasable juveniles.
In addition to TIC, Vanessa’s Classroom Without Walls class is assisting with BRTU’s successful macroinvertebrate survey program that started in 2024. She and her class also volunteered and worked very hard on Montana TU’s and BRTU’s successful Burnt Fork Creek Project on the Lee Metcalf Refuge. They have been crucial in the effort to plant new riparian habitat and in constructing exclosures to protect the new plants from deer.
Our school district is extremely fortunate to have such an amazing teacher who not only makes a difference in our students' lives but has a positive impact on our valley & state as well. Congrats to Ms. Haflich on a well deserved award!!
