Yellowstone Times

The annual event at Montana State University's College of Education, Health and Human Development focused on the theme of "the importance of place," highlighting the work of faculty and staff. Held at the Best Western Plus GranTree Inn in Bozeman, the EHHD Showcase featured six award-winning members from the college.

Dean Tricia Seifert opened the event by emphasizing the college's commitment to transforming student and community lives through active engagement. "Our college learns by doing to transform lives of students and communities," she stated. She encouraged attendees to listen for how faculty and staff engage with students and make a difference in their learning, noting that focusing on community is central to their mission.

Sarah Pennington, an associate professor in the Department of Education, presented her talk titled “(Not) Stuck in the Middle: Why I Love Working in Middle Schools.” She shared her experiences as a middle-school teacher before joining MSU. Pennington addressed misconceptions about middle school, describing it as a period of growth and self-discovery rather than just storm and stress. "These kids are figuring out who they are in the world and in their skin," she said.

Pennington also challenged myths about middle-school students' attitudes toward adults, asserting that they need safe adults to confide in. She shared a story about a former student with a learning disability who improved his grades by advocating for himself. "He gave himself time and advocated for himself so he could learn to self-regulate," she recounted.

Pennington encouraged pre-service teachers to consider careers in middle schools and urged adults to volunteer at local middle schools. "This is such a formative period in kids’ lives," she said.

Other speakers included Wenhao Zhang discussing traditional Chinese foodways, Nicole Wanago on family sciences' impact on daily decisions, Julian Collins on student support services, Jill Falcon Ramaker on land-based education, and Rebecca Koltz sharing her rural journey from Midwest fields to Montana peaks.

In closing remarks, Seifert expressed inspiration from the showcase each year due to the remarkable work done by college members.