Julia Maxwell may be a mustang now, but the fifth-generation Cascade graduate will always carry some allegiance to the school that raised her and inspired her to become an educator in the first place.

“I’m a badger all the way — go Cascade! I’m also a Bobcat,” Maxwell admitted. “But I have sympathy toward the Griz because my husband and kids are Griz fans.” 

Maxwell is starting her first year as principal of Somers Middle School, bringing with her a wealth of experiences from all aspects of education across Montana, including as a parent, a teacher, a principal and superintendent, and as a member of the Montana Board of Public Education.  

Education made sense as a career path for Maxwell. 

“I'm a kid person. I love being with kids,” Maxwell said. “You'll find me outside playing at recess sometimes. I love children and their just their sweet naivety, their sweet positivity about everything. It's just addicting. I’m chasing my own kids to sports and wearing glitter at school games and cheering. Really, my whole life is pretty much taken up by kids.” 

Maxwell grew up on her family’s cattle ranch in Cascade, a small town between Great Falls and Helena. In middle school, she took a class with Mr. Schwindt, the long-haired hippie art teacher who started riding his horse through town after Cascade tried to ban the practice. His picture sits on Maxwell’s desk, a reminder of the educator who inspired her to become an educator. 

“He just knew how to grow hearts and minds in kids, and all middle school kids, they go through a really rough time in middle school. It's super difficult, and he just knew how to make you feel like you were capable of anything. And I grew up and just wanted to replicate that and give that support to other kids because I felt like every kid should have someone that believes in them,” Maxwell said. “He is the reason I became a teacher.” 

Maxwell earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Montana State Northern and taught for six years in the Great Falls area. 

During those years, a principal encouraged Maxwell to pursue her master’s degree. She had looked up to the principal, who encouraged her to try new things and fail, and have fun with her students. After an off-handed comment about how she wished there were more administrators like him who helped teachers love their jobs, he told her that she now knew what to go to school for. 

She obtained her master’s in educational leadership from Western Governors University and her superintendent endorsement from Montana State University. 

From there, Maxwell took on a role as principal and superintendent of the Marion School District, and while she loved the Marion community, she felt that as the dual role was pulling her away from what she loved most, which was interacting with students and teachers. 

When the position at Somers Middle School opened, it felt like the perfect opportunity for Maxwell to pursue her interests as an administrator while also giving her children a similar upbringing to her own in Cascade, but with less wind, she laughed.  

Maxwell, who married a fellow Cascade graduate, has five children between the ages of 7 and 14, four of whom were adopted out of foster care. Her husband is a paraprofessional educator who now works at Lakeside Elementary School. 

As an administrator, Maxwell has been influenced by her wide array of experiences in education. She describes her personal philosophy as one that emphasizes clear roadmaps and expectations for students, but also makes space for middle schoolers to have fun. She’s strict on rules, but also brings her own “personal silly” to the school.  

“I believe that the only way to really teach a kid is to make sure they have opportunities for joy every day,” she said 

“I have no sense of self-preservation,” she added. “I dress up every Friday in a silly costume. I’m always dancing and walking around the hallways saying good morning and getting to know the actual child, the actual teacher, because I feel like that’s how you make a successful school.” 

As she begins her new role, Maxwell is excited to get to know the people of Somers. She took the job in part because she had heard such great things about the community and the way it supports its schools.  

In the short time she’s been at Somers already, she’s been impressed by how incredibly intelligent the teachers are.  

“Their insights and their understanding and their experience with kids blows my mind,” she said. “Even the newer teachers that are here are just at such a high level. Everything is about the kids, everything is about standards. Everything is about what we expect. What can we help grow? What can I do to help? Which is just so amazing.” 

The minute the community found out she was the new principal, she started receiving messages on Facebook welcoming her and telling her how excited they were to have her.  

“We’re so excited,” Maxwell said. “We feel like we already have a place here with how welcoming everyone’s been.” 

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.