CLASSROOM REFLECTION

Masters Class Reflection

Josh Slotnick, Missoula, Class of 2021 and Masters 2023

Dr. Jerry Evans’ passing informed this session, and the response from class members and LMT staff, set a specific tone, not just of sadness but of gratitude and a rare sort of emotional realness. Chantel read us the words she would later speak out loud at Dr. Evans’ memorial. Her openness, storytelling ability, and courage filled the space. LMT sessions have an uncanny ability to draw people out, and Chantel’s talk amped that way up. I felt the effects in everything we did – from talking about our values with a partner (and inventing a special handshake) to working on our leadership philosophies – realness was front and center.

I believe this extra dose of realness informed the already powerful Class member conversations. I left with a sense of awe towards some of my classmates and their contributions to their communities, as well as a stronger-than-usual understanding of the precarity of life. Amidst all this, we heard from a new voice for our class, Lanny Hubbard, formerly of the MT State Fund. Lanny sat in on our sessions and offered a series of insightful and impressive comments.  I left our few days grateful for the gifts of Jerry Evans and ever optimistic and committed to the future. I look forward to our time together in White Sulphur.