Education
Experience One engages students and faculty in actively exploring the knowledge, purposes, and practices in every field of study.
The Education Program at Montana Western is the oldest in the state. It’s also one of the very best.
Dynamic teachers who graduate from Montana Western get great jobs in schools all over the state and across the nation.
Students start out with plenty of hands-on field experiences in a wide variety of classrooms. Small classes are the rule, where students learn best. Learning is intensified in a one-of-a-kind, block schedule system called Experience One. Active, engaged faculty members assure that students experience an outstanding Teacher Education Program.
The new Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation Model Classroom helps prepare teachers who can teach today’s students. Recent accreditation with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) means Montana Western’s teachers are prepared with 21st-century skills.
Click here to view Undergraduate certificate in Early Childhood Education and Teaching gainful employment data.
Faculty Feature
PROFESSOR
Laura Straus, Ph.D.
Laura Straus specializes in literacy education, with an emphasis on reading engagement and motivation to read. Straus is active in several state and national level literacy education professional organizations.
PROFESSOR
Estee Aiken, Ed.D.
Estee served as an elementary classroom teacher and differentiation coach for more than a decade before transitioning to higher education. Since 2011, she has been focused on educating pre-service teachers and consulting about gifted education and differentiation. READ MORE: X-CAMP Provides Engaging Learning and Teaching Opportunities
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Shay Kidd, Ph.D.
Shay Kidd loves teaching education courses and specifically those focused on mathematics education. Helping prepare future mathematics teachers at all levels helps to feed into his research interest of learning progression in mathematics.
What Education Students Have to Say
“I love learning about education, and the block schedule allows us to have enough time to focus on the material and have immersive conversations.”
-Ethan Shrader, English Secondary Education
“The Education Department has helped me realize my potential as a future educator through well-taught, engaging, and enjoyable classes.”
-Kaylee Clemmons, English and Secondary Education
“The department provides us with immersive educational experiences, including working with students at rural schools.”
-Joey Paulsonmorgan, Elementary Education
“We learn how to apply the educational theories the faculty teach us to real-world situations.”
-Cassandra Punohu, Secondary Education
“The instructors make one-on-one connections with the students.”
-Kirsten Greil, Elementary Education
“The Education department has helped me to determine my true passion and goals for my future career.”
-Miranda Martinez, Secondary Education and Social Sciences
OFFICE
Education
Main Hall 223