Schmidt believes education is the greatest equalizer.
As a school board trustee for Conrad Public Schools, Schmidt delved deeply in school finance, school administration and educational challenges. During her tenure and afterward, Schmidt has explored various educational teaching models used in the U.S. and Canada, assessing methods that offer flexibility for students’ various learning styles and needs.
Schmidt has been involved in education throughout her life. She volunteered to teach journalism to rural students at a two-room school in the 1980s. She coached a successful Undergraduate Range Management Exam team as a graduate student in the 1990s. She worked as a county extension agent to share university research with citizens. She was nominated for the honor of National Agricultural Agent of the Year twice, winning the award once. Later, as a magazine editor, she conveyed innovative ideas to readers. During the early 2000s, she educated tourists about the history and heritage of Montana’s agricultural landscape through the Undaunted Stewardship Program. For 10 years, she taught at the Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp. The campers repeatedly voted her range-wildlife workshop as the best of the workshops. She worked to modernize Conrad Public Schools as a school board trustee. As a freelance writer, she found people who solved problems and then shared their ideas. She continues to share ideas via her weekly newspaper column and radio broadcasts.
Schmidt holds a bachelor's degree from Oregon State University and a master’s degree with a certificate in public policy from Utah State University. She enjoyed two internships in Washington, D.C. that have influenced her perspective of public policy and political strategy ever since.
Schmidt owns and operates a cattle and sheep ranch near Conrad. She has two children who successfully navigated public schools. In her spare time, she enjoys packing horses into Montana’s glorious wilderness, reading, writing and hiking.