Serena Wright is the State Homeless Coordinator of Education, Title III and Title I, Part A
Coordinator, and Family Engagement Specialist at the Office of Public Instruction for the State
of Montana.
Throughout Serena’s entire 18+ years, teaching career, she worked with students who qualify as
Title 1; English Learners, Socio-Economically Disadvantaged, and/or Migratory, in both rural
and urban districts.
In the small, rural district Serena was the English Learner Coordinator, she also became the
Family/Community liaison, in a sense, working behind the scenes to make sure the students and
families had what they needed: clothing, food, supplies, and technology. She set up a food
delivery system with volunteers and a localized clothing closet for students and families. Serena
also worked directly with families to ensure they had access to and understood the school system
and its resources in order to meet the needs of the students and their families. Serena realized
she wanted to make positive systematic impacts for students, families, and districts, on a larger
scale.
Her position at the Office of Public Instruction as the State Homeless Coordinator of Education,
Title I, Part A and Title III Coordinator, and Family Engagement Specialist is the perfect role for
Serena because she can continue the work she loves, surrounded by district staff who have the
same deep care for vulnerable families, on a much larger scale.