Rachel Brown
President

Rachel Brown, PhD, NCSP, is a school psychologist who works for the Mat-Su and Anchorage schools. She was a faculty member at the University of Southern Maine from 2000-2016. Prior to obtaining her doctorate in School Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2000), she taught middle and high school history and special education for 10 years. Her research areas include curriculum-based measurement, response to intervention (RTI), and scientifically based instruction methods. Dr. Brown is the editor of Assessment for Intervention: A Problem-Solving Approach (2005, 2012), and co-author of Response to Intervention: Principles and Strategies for Success (2005; 2010), RTI in the Classroom: Guidelines and Recipes for Success (2009), and Practical Handbook of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (2016). In addition, Dr. Brown has authored articles about reading assessment and instruction as well as implementation of RTI. Dr. Brown is a nationally certified school psychologist and a licensed psychologist, and has consulted with numerous school districts to support RTI implementation. Dr. Brown lives in Palmer.

Paul Clark
Treasurer

Paul Clark joined the board in 2019. For the past 11 years, Paul has been an outdoor recreation planner with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. In his role with the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Paul worked with community groups and non-profits to improve close-to-home parks and trails around the state, create volunteer opportunities, and to help get youth out into nature. Prior to moving to Alaska, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army (1999-2003) and as an environmental educator and advisor in Fiji as a Peace Corps Volunteer (2005-2007). He holds a bachelor's degree from Pacific Lutheran University and a master's in science from the University of Montana. Paul enjoys being active and exploring history, languages, cultures, and art with his family.

Linda Conover
Secretary

Linda Conover has been deeply involved in all aspects of education. Linda has been a teacher, educational math consultant and school administrative secretary. Linda served 15 years as an officer in school PTA’s and PTO’s, most of those years as President. Linda served on the Organizational Committee for the district's first Charter School, and served as a Board Member and Officer on its Academic Policy Committee. She received the Champions for Children Award from the Mat-Su Education Association in 1999 and 2008. Linda was Chairman of the Mat-Su Health Foundation's Board of Directors and served on the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Board of Directors.

Linda Conover has worked as a licensed insurance agent and office manager. Ms. Conover previously owned an educational consulting company, and is currently owner/designer of a web design business.

Linda Conover has lived in Alaska with her husband Dale since 1965, and has two daughters living in Alaska. Linda received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Washington University, majoring in Math and Science, and a Master’s Degree in Education from UAA.

Monica Goyette
Director

Dr. Monica Goyette became the Superintendent of Schools for the Mat-Su Borough School District in April, 2017. An Alaska educator since 1998, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences, a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling, a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership/Curriculum & Instruction. Prior to becoming the Superintendent, Dr. Goyette worked as a counselor, teacher, school principal, executive director, and assistant superintendent of instruction. Dr. Goyette’s teaching and educational leadership experiences have shaped her agenda, which has an unwavering focus on student achievement and success. She looks forward to making learning meaningful and lasting for students; using capital assets resourcefully and wisely; and meeting the needs of students, parents, and employees.

 

Jillian Morrissey
Director

Jillian Morrissey began serving on the MSSF Board in 2019. She worked in the non-profit sector for 18 years as a recreational trail advocate and outdoor educator before working for Mat-Su Borough School District as a Recruitment Coordinator and now, Public Information Officer. She received her undergraduate degree from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio and her master’s degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is a lifelong learner that enjoys any time she is out-of-doors and traveling the world.

 

 

 

 

Erik Pierson
Director

Erik Pierson has served on the Board of Directors for three years. He has also worked in education since graduating from Beloit College in 2007. Since leaving the Midwest, he united his majors in Education and Youth Studies & Modern Languages in his role as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at Fronteras Spanish Immersion Charter School. Prior to education, his careers included insurance underwriting and various capacities in the service industry. His favorite parts of his work experience include working with diverse people and training new hires, both which parlay well in a classroom.

Erik has roots in Rockford, Illinois, although his first fulltime teaching position led him to Woodburn, Oregon. He embraces change and the new scenery that accompanies it. He was thrilled about the move to the Mat-Su Valley when he accepted the position with MSBSD in 2012. He still enjoys traveling and bringing new experiences to his students, yet he is planting roots here in the Valley and happily owns his first home.

In addition to traveling, biking, hiking, skiing, cooking, and disc golfing, Erik is an aspiring Jack-of-all-trades. Being a life-long learner, he finds himself continuing his education through UAA, friends willing to teach him carpentry skills, acting at Valley Performing Arts, and rarely declines an offer to further his knowledge in any and all subjects.