RONAN — In business, a savvy entrepreneur knows that a little capital can go a long way. Ronan High School business and technology teacher Ron Hanson knows that firsthand after writing for and receiving a $6,000 grant to buy equipment and software to give his students new opportunities in web design.

“The principal came in and asked me if I had any big things going on,” Hanson said of the surprise presentation of the award last Tuesday. “He made it sound like somebody was going to evaluate, watch what I was doing in class kind of thing. I wasn’t sure who that was going to be but it kind of piqued my interest. They walked in and I still didn’t realize what was going on, and then I saw the big check and I was kind of speechless there that I actually got the grant.”

Those surprise presenters in his fifth period class turned out to be Montana First Lady Nancy Schweitzer and Qwest president David Gibson, the $6,000 the result of Hanson’s hard work in applying for the Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program.

“The Teachers and Technology grants are a great way to recognize and thank teachers for bringing innovative practices into their classrooms,” Schweitzer said in a press release. “Oftentimes the hard work of a teacher can inspire a student to attain new heights and spark their interest in careers in math, science and technology.”

 Hanson said he knew about the grant for a few years but had put off applying for it until last spring. The application was pretty thorough, he said, and he had to submit a detailed outline of his proposed uses for the money. Only three teachers in western Montana earned grant money and only 10 total statewide received funds.

“I didn’t expect to get it but it’s a nice surprise,” Hanson said. “They said it was well written, which I couldn’t believe.”

 Hanson’s plan, which must be developable and maintainable, is to use his students to create websites for small businesses and community groups that can’t afford a web developer. The effect is twofold: the businesses only pay for the IP address while the students get practical, hands-on work-type experiences.

“We’ll be able to get equipment, upgrades on software, cameras, video editing, stuff we wouldn’t normally have,” Hanson said. “You could see, I’ve got some pretty talented kids waiting to get out of books and ready to do applications of skills.”

Hanson is now in his third year at RHS and has settled in nicely. He acts as the Business Professionals of America advisor and took two students to nationals last year.

Overall, he’s taught for 20 years from coast to coast, he said, going from Washington to Pennsylvania and many places in between before he finally landed in the Mission Valley.

“I’m from Missoula so it’s good to be back in Western Montana,” Hanson said. “I moved away but always come home.”

Though he works in Ronan, Hanson, his wife Kim and three children live in Polson, where his children attend — or graduated from — Polson schools. He said it was so his son Peter, now a freshman at Spokane Community College, could play soccer. It paid off: Peter was an all-state soccer player last year, but Hanson said his students still razz him about living up north.

“One day I wore a purple dress shirt and the kids rode me all day, saying that’s Polson colors,” Hanson said with a laugh. “But they understand the reasons. We have a great administration and great staff in Ronan and they take good care of me.”

After revamping his business program this year for his ninth through twelfth grade students, Hanson is excited for what the grant will be able to provide. He also acknowledged the process proved a valuable life lesson.

“It got me out of my comfort zone,” Hanson said of finally applying for the grant. “It took a big leap for me to even do it. It’s the type of message I like to send to the kids: you’re never going to know until you try. I tried and got it.”