Graduating student says connections, open-mindedness strengthened her education at Montana State

BOZEMAN - When Sarah Fetterman was in high school in Belgrade, several of her teachers and a guidance counselor suggested that she go to business school, identifying in her characteristics they thought would contribute to her success in the field. And Fetterman did just that, earning a full scholarship to Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, where she enrolled in the honors college, studied business and played on the soccer team. There, she said, things went well. She could very clearly see a path for herself to professional success in the business world. But there was one problem: She wasn't enjoying her classes. Her heart wasn't in it.

So, she made a switch. Fetterman moved back to the Gallatin Valley and began working at her husband's family business - a property management company. In that work, she saw a path to professional success, too. But still, something was missing.

At dinner one night, her sister-in-law made a suggestion: What about teaching?

Fetterman had always enjoyed working with kids, both as a soccer coach and a babysitter. The idea appealed to her, and she quickly applied to Montana State University. Just a few short weeks later - in August 2023 - Fetterman started taking classes at the university, working toward a bachelor's degree in elementary education through the College of Education, Health and Human Development.

Since then, Fetterman's experiences at MSU have affirmed her decision to pursue a career in teaching and prepared her well for the profession, she said. And on Friday, she'll cross the stage in MSU's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse to collect her diploma during MSU's 144th spring commencement, moving her one step closer to her goal of becoming a teacher.

"It's exciting, and it also just doesn't feel real," Fetterman said of her pending graduation. "I can't believe that it's happening so soon; I feel like time flew by so quickly. But I'm very excited and very ready to start teaching in the classroom and be in the thick of it."

Fetterman said her overall experience at MSU has been positive, from having the opportunity to get into local classrooms to work with students early and often, to great professors, to opportunities related to her career goals that took place outside of her coursework.

Of her professors, Fetterman said they created an environment where she was excited to go to her classes, which felt less like lectures and more of an exchange of ideas, she noted.

"Our professors wanted to get to know us and vice versa," she said. "They wanted us to ask our peers about what they think and have a conversation. We got to share about our experiences and perspectives and learn from each other."

Importantly, she added, the professors viewed their students as individuals with meaningful ideas to share.

"It wasn't just a one-way street," she said. "Our professors were open to learning from us, too, which is really important."

She also appreciated how the Department of Education provided opportunities for her to gain experience in real elementary and middle school classrooms.

She characterized the curriculum as project-based, where students have numerous opportunities to get into the field, rather than being asked to simply memorize material and take tests.

Fetterman's experiences in local classrooms included leading a literacy class at Emily Dickinson Elementary School in Bozeman, where she and another MSU student worked with kindergarteners and first-graders to read books and do related activities.

She also helped lead a STEM club for preschoolers at a local daycare, where she gained experience integrating technology into her teaching. She and the kids enjoyed it so much that she ended up continuing the club for longer than the one semester originally planned.

For her required student teaching experience, Fetterman was placed at Chief Joseph Middle School in Bozeman, where she helped teach sixth-grade math.

"I had the opportunity there to kind of run the show for a month," Fetterman said. "I helped out with parent-teacher conferences and was the math teacher voice for (individualized student plans known as 504s and IEPs). I got to work in the PowerSchool database. It was a really good experience that will make my actual transition to teaching that much easier."

Fetterman also completed several rural practicums offered through MSU. For the first, she traveled to Dutton Brady Public Schools in Teton County to work in a multi-grade classroom for third through fifth graders. She also went to Bridger in Carbon County to complete a practicum with third-grade students.

"Rural practicums made me so much more open to teaching in rural areas," Fetterman said. "Practicums were also fun because we get to know the community and do a lot of events. I'm really open now to teaching in a rural area in Montana."

A number of experiences Fetterman had outside the classroom have strengthened her education, too. Those include her work with the Aspiring Educators of MSU, a registered student organization for education majors; Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honor society for women educators; and MSU's Science Math Resource Center, a STEM outreach center.

Through Aspiring Educators of MSU, Fetterman heard from panels of local teachers and school administrators discussing issues such as work-life balance, setting boundaries and effective communication with families. She also traveled to the organization's national conference, strengthening bonds with her peers and making new connections.

She also interned at MSU's Science Math Resource Center, helping create and distribute resources such as STEM kits. And this summer, she plans to participate in a program MSU offers that focuses on teaching elementary teachers how to better integrate science, technology, education and math and Indian Education for All into their classrooms.

In recognition of her efforts as an undergraduate student, Fetterman was selected as one of 15 students to receive the 2025-26 George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship from the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement. The scholarship recognizes outstanding college students across Montana who demonstrate exemplary civic leadership and a commitment to fostering positive change in their communities.

In addition, Fetterman was a recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Award from the College of Education, Health and Human Development.

One of her nominators for that award, Marcie Reuer, called Fetterman "the type of person who elevates the profession of teaching by setting a strong example.

"She is the first person to ask how she can help and is the last one working behind the scenes to make sure any event or project comes together in a way that supports others," said Reuer, an associate teaching professor in the education department. "As a former principal, I would have loved to have a whole team of Sarahs, as she is considerate, thoughtful, positive and builds others up as she works alongside them."

Suzi Taylor, another award nominator and director of the Science Math Resource Center, said Fetterman is set apart by her work ethic, sense of responsibility, creative problem-solving and care for others.

"She continuously looks for ways to grow and contribute her talents while smoothing the path for others around her," Taylor said, adding that she is "the kind of young woman you don't come across all that often. I have no doubt that she will become a teacher whom students remember long after they have graduated. She will be the alumnus, educator, citizen and community member who makes our university proud."

When Fetterman reflects back on her time in college, she said she believes that being open-minded and focusing on developing relationships with her professors and fellow students has been important to her success.

"I think the most important thing is putting yourself out there, actually introducing yourself to professors, getting to know them," she said. "I'd just really encourage others to try to focus on those relationships and connections, because it makes your experience that much stronger and it sets you up for future success in the classrooms."

Now, Fetterman is applying for jobs and starting the interview process, with a goal of securing a teaching job for the fall.

"I'm excited to be an elementary educator," she said.