Great Falls Comes Together To Honor Teacher Killed In Crash

Tragic Crash Claims The Life Of A Beloved CMR Teacher

Think back to your school days and chances are there is at least one teacher who really stuck with you. Not just someone who taught a subject, but someone who made a real impact on your life.

For thousands of students at Charles M. Russell High School, that person was Josy McLean.

Josy McLean’s 28 Year Legacy At Charles M. Russell High School

Tragically, Josy lost her life in a crash outside of Lincoln, Montana, on January 4, 2026, which also claimed the lives of three other people.

Josy started her career at Blue Sky High School in Rudyard, Montana for 5 years, then spent 28 more years teaching at CMR, and during that time she became a legend in the building.

She was named Teacher of the Year multiple times and earned just about every honor the school can hand out.

In a statement, CMR described McLean as:

Community Comes Together To Honor Josy McLean’s Memory

A group from Josy's time at Blue Sky High School were not about to let her memory fade. This group is looking to raise money for a memorial swing along the River’s Edge Trail in her honor.

Not only that, but next to it they plan to plant a tree to help honor her time and the lives she touched both at CMR and Great Falls.

While this group from Blue Sky High School are working with the Great Falls Park and Recreation Department, they need to raise about $4,000 to install and maintain the memorial.

If you would like to help, checks can be mailed to the Great Falls Park and Recreation Department at P.O. Box 5021, Great Falls, MT 59403. Please make checks payable to the Great Falls Park and Recreation Department in honor of Josy McLean.

Source: KRTV