At the time of receiving the Milken Educator Award, Suzanne Belish, principal of Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester, had worked with her staff and faculty to effect several innovative programs. Examples included: Homework Club, an after-school tutoring program supervised by a faculty member and staffed by students and volunteers from the community; Silver Card Club, an incentive program that highlights both academic and personal excellence; Community Service Class, required of all sixth-graders, encourages students to become involved in local soup kitchens, senior citizen centers and other community-based projects. As the Director of the District Technology Committee, Ms. Belish worked on an ambitious program to develop fully integrated technological classrooms. Ms. Belish's career in Sheridan County School District #1 continued until 2011 when she retired after serving as the Superintendent, the Curriculum Director, the Special Education Director, and the Director of Professional Development. After retiring from the district Ms. Belish has continued working in the field of education by serving as an administrator for the Northern Wyoming Community College District, the Director of Board Development for the Wyoming School Boards Association, a member of the Wyoming State Board of Education, and an executive coach.
1977 Montana State University - Billings, M.S.
