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10.26.09 | Phyllis J. Washington Education Center Opens Doors
New University of Montana Education Center will attract and train the best and brightest educators
IN OCTOBER 2009, the University of Montana ascended to the national stage in the future of education with the opening of the Phyllis J. Washington Education Center. The 27,000 square foot addition to the existing building contains purpose-built instructional environments housing the latest technology in support of advanced curricula and teaching methods.
Reflecting Phyllis Washington’s lifelong interest in education and passion for interior design, the UM alumna and former elementary teacher was instrumental in the vision and design of the Education Center and in the Foundation’s leadership role in contributing $12 million toward the Education Center’s realization.
The Education Center, which features tall glass windows and colorful architectural features, is in line with Phyllis’s belief that aesthetically pleasing, balanced environments can be inspirational and uplifting.
The Education Center is also in-step with the current national emphasis on early childhood education. In addition to supporting research of national importance, the Education Center enables developing high-quality programs benefiting many Montana communities.
Besides training new and veteran teachers, administrators and counselors in current technologies, the Education Center provides an origination point for distance learning. Curricula and lessons prepared by education students are made available to rural Montana schools through internet technology. Rural teachers can attend training via teleconference, saving time and travel expense. Linkups with educational resources worldwide bring global contacts to all Montana schools.
The building includes a dedicated math and science methods classroom and an actual pre-school affording students and researchers practical experience in working with children. The facility also has media studios equipped for online teaching and course production.
“The Center will provide our future teachers, administrators and counselors with the tools to be among the best in the nation. The teaching profession is one of the most important jobs of yesterday and today and will become more so in years to come.”
The new facility ensures that no child, or teacher, will be left behind. “As Americans, as Montanans, even as individual teachers we cannot afford mediocrity. We must be the best,” Phyllis continued, “and here at the Education Center that will happen. This is just the beginning.”
From Left to Right:Roberta D. Evans (Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences), Phyllis Washington, George Dennison (UM President) and Sheila Sterns (Commissioner of Higher Education) celebrate the opening of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Montana - Missoula.
