Katelyn Maher is the new Ag teacher at Park High School who came all the way from southern Illinois from a town called Fosterburg. “Fosterburg is a township that wouldn’t show up on the map if you were to look,” said Maher. She grew up living and working on her family’s farm where they grow grain crops and hay, raise cattle and pigs. The farm itself was 100 acres, but they would always farm 500-600 acres. She did 4-H when she was eight years old throughout high school and shot trap in high school as well.

Before coming to Montana, Maher taught Agriculture and Basic Automotive at a different school in Illinois. The school she taught in Illinois had over 2000 kids attending. What made her come to Montana for teaching was because she always wanted to move here and see what it was like  and she really likes it, she said, adding that it is different from Illinois. With Fosterburg being a township, “I never lived in an actual town, so it’s a whole new experience for me in Livingston,” said Maher.

Her favorite class to teach right now is the Intro to Ag classes. Maher says what she is most excited for this year is to get to know the students in the program and see how “we can work together and build on the program and have a great year.”

She has two sisters, one 19 years old and the other is 15 years old, making Katelyn the oldest. Ms. Maher has a 3-year-old son.

Grady Shifley, a Park High School student who has Ms. Maher as a teacher, says, “She has good ambitions and wants to get thigs done so that way you can move on.” Shifley says, “Her personality is good and doesn’t seem careless, she wants to help people and stay motivated with the class. She does a great job of sharing information about all the upcoming FFA events,” says Grady.