Brief History & Key Milestones
In October, 1967, during the state meeting of the Montana Education Association in Billings, Montana, a group of driver education teachers met and decided to form a state association of driver educators. A committee was selected to represent the various areas of the state. Committee members were: Bob Baldwin, Bozeman; Dick Dross, Great Falls; Noel Furlong, Kalispell; Dale Johnson, Great Falls; Dan Marinkovich, Miles City; Bob Sparks, Missoula; Jerry Toner, Helena; Jerry Walker, Billings; and Bob Wolf, Dillon.
The committee's responsibility was to name the organization, write a constitution and bylaws, and name officers. The committee met in Helena on December 9, 1967. The organization was known as the Montana Driver and Traffic Education Association. An election of officers was held and the following individuals were elected: Dan Marinkovich, President; Bob Sparks, Vice President; Jerry Walker, Secretary-Treasurer. Dues were set at $5.00 per year. The annual meeting was established to coincide with the annual MTEA conference.
The committee's responsibility was to name the organization, write a constitution and bylaws, and name officers. The committee met in Helena on December 9, 1967. The organization was known as the Montana Driver and Traffic Education Association. An election of officers was held and the following individuals were elected: Dan Marinkovich, President; Bob Sparks, Vice President; Jerry Walker, Secretary-Treasurer. Dues were set at $5.00 per year. The annual meeting was established to coincide with the annual MTEA conference.
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Other historic highlights include:
2021 - SB 300 is passed by the MT State Legislature with sweeping changes to state-approved traffic education programs (not implemented until ARM is updated). 2021 - Dwight Nelson hired as OPI Traffic Education Director. 2020 - Tara Ferriter Smith hired as OPI Traffic Education Director and helps the program weather the COVID-19 pandemic. She later leaves to take a teaching job. 2019 - Fran Penner-Ray retires as OPI Traffic Education Director. 2014 - OPI revises the Teen Driver Curriculum with new research data and more interactive media resources. 2012 - Traffic Education (TE) Content and Performance Standards developed and refined through work on the TE curriculum project. 2010 - David Huff retires as Traffic Education Director at OPI and Fran Penner-Ray becomes interim director. In 2011 she becomes director. 2009 - MTEA begins offering AD&D/Life Insurance up to $5,000 coverage as a benefit of membership. 2006 - GDL goes into effect in Montana. OPI releases new curriculum modules and resources for use by Montana traffic educators. 2005 - State Legislature passes Graduated Drivers License (GDL) in Montana. 2002-04 - TE student-contact days increase was phased in incrementally from 20 to 25 to extend learning. 2001-02 - OPI Rules pertaining to Traffic Education were reviewed and revised with MTEA input to clarify long-standing interpretation that schools offering OPI-approved TE programs allow every eligible youth within the school’s geographic jurisdictions an equitable opportunity to enroll. ARM 10.13.307 1(e) and MCA 61-5-106 (2). 1999 - MTEA provides support for a Graduated Driver Licensing bill in the Legislature. Bill is unsuccessful in this session. 1998 - ADTSEA awards its national conference to Montana in 2000. Curt Hahn retires from the Office of Public Instruction. David Huff selected as the next Director of Traffic Education. 1997 - Constitution revisions to better integrate MTEA reorganization. 1995 - Cuts to Traffic Education reimbursement by Legislature. Legislature approves the Cooperative Driver Testing Program (CDTP) after being piloted by the Helena school system. 1994 - Dues increased to $25 to develop a fund for hiring a legislative lobbyist. Membership of 177. Reorganization of Executive Board as Curt Hahn retires from his duties at MTEA Executive Director. Jim Carroll appointed Executive Secretary. 1993 - Executive Board expanded to include more input by its members. 1988 - MTEA Officer's Handbook developed. 1987 - Implementation of the Teacher and Contributor of the Year Awards. Constitution revision committee established. 1986 - Initiation of the Member Recognition Program. 1985 - First three-day, 2-credit workshop/conference held. Parent involvement promoted. Legislative committee established. 1983 - Membership grew to 147. 1982 - First MTEA and Driver Services joint conference. 1978 - NMC and MSU offers new traffic education minor. Dues increased to $10. 1977 - Held first Montana Driving Rodeo in Missoula. 1976 - Conference to be held annually in May. Membership sits at 61. 1975 - Promoted, supported, and endorsed a traffic education minor at MSU and NMC. 1974 - Membership at 70. Endorsed K-12 Traffic Education. 1973 - Constitution amended to provide for a mail ballot for the election of officers. 1972 - Public Relations Manager added to the Executive Board. Endorsed the use of the Montana School/Dealer Agreement. Membership sits at 38. 1970 - Name changed to the Montana Traffic Education Association. 1967 - Organization founded as Montana Driver and Traffic Education Association. |
MTEA Past Presidents
2022-23 LeAnn Haas, Havre 2020-22 - Doug Van Zee, Billings 2019-20 - Janette Arps, Augusta 2018-19 - Steffani Grogan, Forsyth 2017-18 - Kurtis Koenig, Ennis/Whitehall 2016-17 - Jerry Olson, Great Falls 2015-16 - Charlie Brown, Fairfield 2014-15 - Diane Prongua, Babb (Charlo) 2013-14 - Mick Davis, Great Falls 2012-13 - Steve Morgan, Kalispell 2011-12 - Tom Zuhoski, Belt 2010-11 - Lance Turner, Hamilton 2009-10 - Mick Davis, Great Falls 2008-09 - Steve Simonson, Rudyard 2007-08 - Susan Carney, Arlee 2006-07 - Harold Lair, Polson 2005-06 - Charlie Brown, Fairfield 2004-05 - Jerry Fisher, Billings 2003-04 - Mike Harris, Belgrade 2002-03 - Jim McGrane, Helena 2001-02 - Tom Zuhoski, Moore 2000-01 - Karen Covert, Chinook 1999-00 - Dan Marinkovich, Anaconda (Deceased) 1998-99 - Dan Purcell, Helena 1997-98 - Dennis Davenport, Colstrip 1996-97 - Harold Lair, Polson 1995-96 - Terry Grant, Box Elder 1994-95 - Dave McConnell, Lewistown 1993-94 - Christian Frank, Hamilton 1992-93 - Larry Ficek, Glendive 1991-92 - Jeff Mead, Sidney 1990-91 - Frank Fleming, Fairfield (Deceased) 1989-90 - Walt Serba, Missoula 1988-89 - Mike Nussbaum, Great Falls 1987-88 - Harold Lair, Polson 1986-87 - Jim Carroll, Moore (now Conrad) 1985-86 - Wayne Fink, Big Timber 1984-85 - Bob Graham, Laurel 1983-84 - Pete Stabio, Miles City 1982-83 - Wayne Elser, Dutton 1981-82 - Ken Watson, Rudyard 1980-81 - Dayle Anderson, Darby 1979-80 - John Babcock, Kalispell 1977-79 - John Goebel, Havre 1976-77 - Doug Clanin, Great Falls 1975-76 - Tom Thorpe, Missoula 1974-75 - Ed Nilson, Anaconda 1973-74 - Dave McLaughlin, Fort Benton 1971-73 - Jerry Walker, Billings 1969-71 - Dale Johnson, Great Falls (Deceased) 1968-69 - Bob Sparks, Missoula (Deceased) 1967-68 - Dan Marinkovich, Miles City (Deceased) |
