
Information: The Montana Association of School Psychologists, in collaboration with the Montana School Counselor Association, will be providing a 5-session livestream package for attendees who would like to attend MSCA’s spring conference virtually! This page will only provide registration information for virtual attendance. If you are interested in attending MSCA spring conference in-person, please visit: https://mtschoolcounselor.org/2025_Spring_Conference_Registration
Virtual Date: Friday, April 4th, 2025
Virtual Session Schedule: 8:00-8:30am will include introductions and door prizes
Time | Presenter | Topic |
8:30-9:30am | Gene Eakin, PhD | Conversations about Change and Motivation to Change: An Act of Loving Kindness |
9:45-10:35am | Tammy Tolleson Knee, LCSW, EdS | Fostering Positive School Attachments to Combat Absenteeism |
10:45-11:35am | Jessica Gerthe, PhD, NCC, LCPC & Azadeh Ahmadi, PhD, NCC, LPC | Supporting Students by Engaging Their Guardians: Practical Strategies for School Counselors and School Psychologists |
11:35am-1:00pm | Break | Lunch |
1:00-1:50pm | Emily Sallee, PhD | Safety Planning for Threats of Harm (self or others) |
2:00-3:00pm | Tina Boone, Executive Director | Live Like You Were Dying: Lessons From a Near-Death Experience |
Virtual Rates:
Non-association member = $100
MASP/MSCA Member = $70
Student = $20
*There is no prorated price for attending in-person one of the days and virtual on the other day. There is also no prorated rate for attending fewer than the 5 offered virtual sessions. Any requested refunds must be submitted at least two days or more before the conference which will be subject to a processing fee of $5. For any other refund requests submitted within the two days before or the day of the conference will be subject to a $10 processing fee.

Registration
If you are a MASP or MSCA member, be sure to enter the discount code provided by your state association to access the member rate. If you are a MASP member, you must enter the discount code as the member rate will not automatically be applied upon login to your account like previous conference registrations. If you are a student, email maspexec@masponline.us or tanya@mtschoolcounselor.org to receive the student discount code before registering.
Presenter Bios
Emily Sallee, PhD
Emily Sallee is an Associate Professor of Counseling at the University of Montana as well as the Executive Director of the Montana Safe Schools Center housed at UM. Emily is also the part-time school counselor at a K-8 frontier school and has a small clinical practice working with youth. While other people’s kiddos tend to be easier to work with, Emily has three of her own to wrangle, in addition to a growing menagerie and ever-increasing lists of books to read, foods to eat, and trails to run.
Gene Eakin, PhD
Dr. Eakin is now serving in his 49th year in Oregon as a part-time or full-time school counselor, school counselor educator, and/or Oregon School Counselor Association Advocacy Chair. Gene has presented on motivational strategies at nine ASCA Conferences and did so with Rachel Hagelin and Robbie Cox at the 2024 ASCA Conference. Gene and Rachel have also presented on motivational interviewing at the last two Evidence-Based School Counseling Conferences (3/23 & 3/24) and at the All Ohio Counselor Conference (10/24). He has provided American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Site-Based Training on Enhancing Intrinsic Motivation to Change and Achieve to school districts in GA, NJ, PA, SC, HI, and LA. Dr. Eakin and Dr. Biles authored Building Motivation from Within published in the October, 2013 edition of the ASCA School Counselor and at ASCA’s request presented two webinars on Enhancing Intrinsic Motivation to Change and Achieve.
Tammy Tolleson Knee, LCSW, EdS
Tammy Tolleson Knee is the School Support Liaison at the Montana Safe Schools Center (MSSC), housed in the University of Montana’s Department of Education. With over 30 years of experience as a Licensed School Counselor and Clinical Social Worker across three states and multiple educational settings, Tammy specializes in mental health and safety interventions. She has supervised graduate social work interns and taught various undergraduate and graduate courses. Outside her professional duties and playing jokes on coworkers, Tammy enjoys hiking, spending time with her family, and convinces her husband to join her latest remodeling project.
Tina Boone, Executive Director
Tina Boone is the Executive Director for Montana School Counselors Association. In May of 2024 she retired from BPS after over 33 years in education, with 23 of those as a school counselor at Skyview (15 years as Dept. Head). Prior to this, she taught middle school. Beginning 2014, she served on the MSCA Board, with her last year as President. In 2015 she created a district K-12 School Leadership team to collaborate with district counselors and administration. In 2017, she led Skyview to be the first school in Montana to earn R.A.M.P. distinction. She was a national finalist for the ACTE Career Counselor of the year in 2013 and was awarded BPS Golden Apple award in 2014. She developed and led Skyview’s Impact Team, which was developed in 2020. Boone has delivered workshops for the Billings Public Schools, the state of Montana, and nationally.
Jessica Gerthe, PhD, NCC, LCPC
Dr. Jessica Gerthe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Montana State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Pennsylvania State University and holds an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor in Montana, Dr. Gerthe has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents and young adults as a mentor, counselor, and supervisor. Her work includes developing suicide prevention trainings, crisis protocols, and response plans for schools. Her research focuses on youth well-being, including self-harm, social media misuse, online gaming, attachment, and self-compassion.
Azadeh Ahmadi, PhD, NCC, LPC
Dr. Azadeh Ahmadi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at the University of North Texas. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a specialization in Research Methodology and a minor in Educational Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. A National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor, Dr. Ahmadi has provided mental health counseling and crisis intervention in shelters, schools, and college counseling centers. Her research explores community partnerships, measurement tool development, and intersectionality in mental health.
Questions?
Contact the Professional Development Committee, at maspexec@masponline.us