MRID Board Members

President : Missy Grinnell, M.Ed (Bozeman) | president@montanarid.org

Hi, I’m Missy Grinnell, President of Montana RID!
I have been working as a sign language interpreter for 15 years in beautiful Bozeman, MT. My experiences have included educational; K-12 and post secondary, graduations, medical, religious, community, and formal presentations. I have been married to Chris for 11 years and have two amazing children. They are my sugar, my son who is 9 and my spice, my daughter who is 5. We enjoy spending time exploring the majestic mountains that surround us, as well as make many treks to Yellowstone. Our favorite summer spot is in Northern MN, where we reunite with the Grinnell family at our shared cabin. I embrace life and am thankful to God for every moment He gives me.

Vice President : Trisha Smith (Belgrade) | vp@montanarid.org

I have been interpreting since 1988; starting in Southern California, then I moved to Missouri in 1993. While there, I obtained Comprehensive level certification (MICS) and KQAST 4:5. My interpreting assignments there were numberous and varied, including school plays, ER visits, and speeches by The President and First Lady. In 2003, I moved to beautiful SW Montana and am honored to be curently be serving on our MRID board. I have enjoyed the fascinating places, situations and people that the wonderful field of interpreting has led me to so far and look forward to what the future holds. Other passions I have include; my husband and four kids, teaching Sign2me classes, and sharing God’s love for others.

Secretary : Sheryl Lute, RID-Ed. K-12 Certified (Great Falls) | secretary@montanarid.org

Hello MRID! This is Sheryl Lute, your new Secretary! I’ve lived with my family in Great Falls, MT since August of 1980. I’ve been married to JT for almost 32 years, we’ve raised 4 children – 2 girls and 2 boys, and were a licensed foster home for many years. We have a beautiful granddaughter (14 months old) from our youngest son and his wife – we love being grandparents! As a family, we love the outdoors – camping, hunting, etc… we also are very involved with our church family. I got into the interpreting field after we adopted our oldest daughter when she was 5 yrs. old – she is deaf and multi-handicapped. I started working as a sub at MSDB in the fall of 1980 and have worked in various positions since that time. I currently work for MSDB as a K-12 Educational Interpreter/Tutor and am in the middle school this year. I co-direct, with my daughter Tamara, MSDB’s VIP (Visually Impaired Performers) – a group of performing students from the VI Dept. I’m also on call for community interpreting with Best Interpreting Services. I teach beginner piano lessons from my home, Sunday morning Bible class for the 4’s, 5’s, and K’s, interpret for services and am involved in many other activities. My husband and I completed a Deaf Missions program from Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock, TX in June of 1980. I completed the EICP (Cohort 3) out of Front Range Community College in Denver, CO in June of 2005. I’m Historian for the NEIA (National Educational Interpreters Association). I became RID Certified Ed:K-12 in 2006, I hold an EIPA 4.8 for E/PSE and a 4.5 S/PSE, I’ve passed the written portion of the NIC test and plan on taking the interview and performance portion of the NIC March 24th! I’m excited to be a part of the new MRID Board and look forward to all of the possibilities MRID can be and do!

Treasurer : Tiffany Harding (Great Falls) | treasurer@montanarid.org

Hello! My name is Tiffany Harding and I am so excited to be serving as your MRID Treasurer. I have a strong belief in service and the Treasurer position is a perfect match for the kind of service I like to give. I have been interpreting for the last 8 years in the educational setting. I love my job and enjoy seeing students grow and become successful adults. Prior to that, I completed an Interpreter Training Program in the Salt Lake area. I am now enrolled in the University of Northern Colorado Do It Center’s BA program for ASL/English Interpreters. My life has generally been focused on my career, but I always find time for play! I have a wonderful and supportive husband and we enjoy playing games, camping, yard work, and spending time with our nieces and nephews. I love networking with people around the state and hope you will contact me if you have any questions about MRID or the interpreting profession.

Conference Chair : Cathy Copeland, M.Ed. CI/CT (Billings) | conferencechair@montanarid.org

From the moment I was 14 years old and walked into a church service with an interpreter, I knew this was the profession for me. Being a sign language interpreter/teacher/mentor has been and will continue to be a rewarding career for me. Being in the classroom or working with interpreters helping them become the best they can be is what I am about.

The other thrill of my life is my family. My husband, four grown children two son-in-laws and one daughter-in-law and now my two grandchildren absolutely are the light of my life. Some day when life slows down (hahahaha) I really would like to learn how to quilt and I have a thousand pictures that need to be put into photo albums.

I look forward to serving MRID as the Workshop Chair. I have an awesome committee and am excited about the training opportunities that we will provide over the next two years. As a committee we really do want input from the membership on what types of training opportunities you would like. Please feel free to email me at any time with ideas and input. We are here to serve you and that means we need to hear what you want.

Fundraising Chair : Crystal Kramer (Bozeman) | fundraising@montanarid.org

I’m Crystal Kramer, newly on board as the Fundraising Chair. I grew up on the North Dakota prairie and have a deep love and respect for the place I call home. My husband and I recently packed up our lives to re-root ourselves here in Bozeman, and have no regrets about doing so. I completed the Interpreter Training Program in Devils Lake, ND with amazing mentors, instructors, and friends. I currently interpret in the Bozeman School District and am a Family Advisor for MSDB. I’m excited about the remarkable people I’ve met in this profession here in MT and am enthusiastic about continuing to work with all of you!

Media Chair : Shelley Garretson (Great Falls) | mediachair@montanarid.org

Hi Everyone! I’m Shelley Garretson, born in Great Falls but mostly grew up in the Maryland, DC and Virginia areas. My Dad, Merv Garretson, was the first Deaf Principal of the Montana School for the Deaf & Blind. My Mom is hard of hearing and both my parents were professors at Gallaudet. I began working at Gallaudet College during the summers in high school and after college in the Office of Admissions. You might say I was almost one of the original grass roots interpreters back in the old days. Curiosity got the best of me and most of my professional life has been in the other world of private industry.

Returning to Great Falls in 2001, I became involved in community interpreting which lead me to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. Becoming involved in K-12 educational interpreting has been challenging and rewarding. I was RID certified in 1990 and have been working on re-building my skills and certifications since joining MSDB. I am a member of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Montana Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (MRID), President of my Condo Association, a direct sales business owner, wife and mother of 2 golden retrievers, 6 cats and 3 horses. I have a variety of interests including walking, horseback riding, music, reading and traveling. I have 2 sisters in Maryland, 2 in Florida and my folks are retired in Florida. Thanks Sheryl for encouraging Sharon and me to do this! I look forward to my involvement with MRID and working with an awesome team!