‘One Class at a Time’ surprises teacher at the Billings Career Center

Billings, Montana – For “One Class at a Time,” Western Security Bank, City Brew Coffee, and the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools have joined together. This initiative honors educators who go above and above for their students.

Meet Christine Simonsen; she teaches biomedical science at the Billings Vocational Center and is so dedicated to her students that she frequently works weekends and long hours.

“The reason I put in such long hours is that I care about my students and them becoming future medical professionals, and those aren’t easy careers so they need to have a good background as they move forward through college and into their professions,” said Mrs. Simonsen.

“I teach two classes; Principles of Biomedical Science and, after that, Human Body Systems. Kids have to take the first year in order to take the second year and the curriculum teaches kids different hands-on skills that are common in medical professions. In addition to that, they’re also learning about 40 different professions in their first year and also about 40 additional professions in their second year.”

Due to restricted school budgets and the frequent use of teachers’ own funds to purchase materials, this “One Class at a Time” grant would be very helpful.

“I will put this to very good use for our labs. We do a number of labs that are very expensive. Sometimes the labs are as much as a couple hundred dollars for my total classes, so that will go to probably perishable lab supplies.”

Mrs. Simonsen received a $500 award from Western Security Bank and a $150 gift card from City Brew Coffee in appreciation of her commitment, support, and integrity in the application of her teaching profession. Congratulations!