The school counselor at W.F. Morrison Elementary School in Troy has been awarded the Montana Association of Secondary School Principals’ future administrators scholarship during the Montana Principals Conference in Anaconda, April 5.

The scholarship is given only to educators already into at least the second semester of an approved masters program. Recipients are also required to intend to continue working in Montana.

Katzer has been pursuing a doctorate through University of Montana since February 2017, she said. She intends to use her degree to better serve her students and community.

Katzer said that she wanted to pursue further education in school administration to help “fill in the gaps” and help her to both function better in leadership roles she has found herself in as a counselor, as well as understanding more thoroughly the educational system.

Katzer said that with only being able to work part time while she raises three children ages 3 to 6, the scholarship will help to offset some of the financial burden, and potentially allow her to complete her degree earlier than she otherwise would have.

“Hopefully that will allow me to take more classes,” she said.

Katzer said she also spends a lot of time volunteering in Libby, where she lives and her son attends first grade.

“I want my work and my education to impact both of my communities,” she said. “My kids are most likely going to go to school in Libby, and I’m passionate about education in both of our communities.”