2026 Board of Directors Candidates
Three board positions are open this year, each with a three-year term.
Krystal Ferguson
Krystal Ferguson is an elementary school counselor at Jim Darcy Elementary with Helena Public Schools, currently in her eighth year as a school counselor and her sixteenth year in education. She supports approximately 500 elementary students annually, focusing on social–emotional development, academic success, and proactive systems of care.
Krystal was named the 2025 Montana School Counselor of the Year in recognition of her leadership and impact. She is passionate about building well-organized, connected, and integrated school counseling programs grounded in the ASCA National Model, MTSS frameworks, and data-informed decision-making. She believes comprehensive counseling programs positively influence not only students, but also families, educators, administrators, and school communities across the state.
Krystal is seeking to serve on the Montana School Counselor Association Board of Directors to contribute her experience, collaborative approach, and statewide perspective, while supporting professional development, advocacy, and alignment of best practices for Montana school counselors.
Jami Eads
My name is Jami Eads and I am seeking election to the MSCA for the 2026-2027 school year. I am currently the school counselor in Deer Lodge, in grades K-8 and currently serve on the Access, Opportunity, and Belonging committee for MSCA. I decided to run for the MSCA board because I believe in what it stands for and I have seen the positive impact that it makes on school counselors throughout Montana. I have a strong background in clinical mental health and mental health management but feel like I found my “home” in school counseling over the past five years. If elected to the MSCA board, I would love to expand on the current professional development and networking opportunities that MSCA provides and would like to see even more opportunities for connecting school counselors to each other. I am curious about the role that MSCA could play in the areas of ongoing mentoring and peer support for school counselors in all areas of Montana. I would also like to see a central location for school counselors to share and evaluate resources and tools that could be accessible to all MSCA members. I welcome any questions and appreciate your consideration!
Alli Bristow
Alli Bristow, PhD, LSC, LCPC, NCC, is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Counselor Education program at the University of Montana. She is a National Board-Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and Licensed School Counselor in Montana.
Alli previously served as a school counselor and crisis therapist in both Arizona and Montana and has been a school counselor in the Bitterroot for over 15 years. Her research interests focus on supporting school counselors in training in the use of evidence-based practices to improve retention, strengthen professional identity, and prevent burnout.
She was named the 2023 Montana School Counselor of the Year in recognition of her advocacy for rural schools and her work building sustainable, student-centered counseling systems. She is running for the Montana School Counseling Association board to strengthen collaboration across the state and build sustainable systems of support that elevate the profession’s strengths while closing gaps in communication and shared resources.
