The Student News Site of Big Sky High School

Big Sky Sun Journal
The Student News Site of Big Sky High School

Big Sky Sun Journal
The Student News Site of Big Sky High School

Big Sky Sun Journal
Categories:

Teacher of the Month: Rita Coates

Ashlynn Lewis
January 20, 2026

Check out the audio story below on Big Sky’s latest Teacher of the Month, Rita Coates.

Tags:
More to Discover
More in Education
Jennifer Courtney, Big Sky principal, outside of her office, June 2026.
Heading back home: Courtney set to leave post as head principal, move to Michigan
Amy Smart, Big Sky choir director, stands outside of her office where she does choir planning, October 24, 2025. Smart teaches choirs of many assorts, including beginning treble choir, Aesirian Choir, musical theater, life skills music class, intermediate mixed choir, and advanced choir. When asked about her new role at Big Sky, Smart said, “Our administrators are so wonderful and supportive, the other teachers are so much fun to work with.”
Teacher of the Month: Amy Smart
Big Sky
Audio Brief: ACT Day at Big Sky
A photo of Big Sky's vocational education popcorn machine dispensing popcorn, March 2026.
Voc ed program at Big Sky teaches students job skills, provides hands on experience
Eagle statue outside Big Sky High School, March 2025.
Audio Feature: Careers before teaching at Big Sky
Bill Ballinger, longterm sub for Rilee Zilkey, in his classroom, February 2026.
New longterm substitute at Big Sky
More in News
Calen Goodian and Paxton Parks playing hacky sack in Big Sky High School, May 2026.
Reported Opinion: Creativity, exercise, and the great hacky sack ban
Once all the students had made their way through the doors, all students started to huddle up and dance to songs like "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars, and "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas. 
Photos: Big Sky Prom 2026
Video Feature: Current student body presidents pass the torch
Video Feature: Current student body presidents pass the torch
Eagle Music: Caroline Keys
Eagle Music: Caroline Keys
Big Sky main entrance, January 2025.
Big Sky High School elects new student body, class presidents for 26-27 school year
Big Sky High School welcome sign, Jan. 14, 2025.
Risky fun: Big Sky students, staff talk about the pros and cons of Senior Assassin
More in Recently Posted
Big Sky High School Culinary Class 1980 / 2026. There is a large lack of wooden cupboards and a clear upgrade in equipment as seen in the new photo.
Photo Feature: Big Sky Then and Now
The Underground Podcast Ep. 10: Performative Music
The Underground Podcast Ep. 10: Performative Music
Andrew Ruzanski, Koehan Swearingen, Zach Everett, and Ari Manthie in character during Grease, March 2026.
Big Sky junior talks about first high school theater experience as Burger Palace Boy in Grease
Provided headshot of Colter Nicolarsen
"As grateful as it gets": Big Sky student describes path to play college football
Rex Rhodes, junior HSA ambassador, stands for a photo, March 2026.
Q&A: What it takes to be a Big Sky HSA Ambassador
Big sky finishing out its senior night meet against Helena and Capital.
Big Sky wrestlers reflect on state tournament, season