Maria Bastien, assistant professor of education, is conducting research in order to establish best practices for teaching in schools that have three or fewer teachers.

More than half of schools that cater to students in kindergarten through grade 12 within the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists are defined as small schools. By conducting interviews with participating teachers from these schools within the North Pacific Union Conference, Bastien hopes to create a teaching and learning resource that blends stories and best practices. This material will be used at Walla Walla University to help prepare education majors for teaching in similar environments.

A grant from the WWU Faculty Development Committee has provided funds for Bastien to travel to Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington to speak to teachers. The grant also funds a research assistant and materials needed to conduct interviews.

“I was blessed to have the opportunity to join the Alaska Conference teachers at their in-service meetings in Anchorage in February,” Bastien said. “In the coming weeks I will be continuing my visits throughout the NPUC.”

WWU offers multiple bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. To learn more about the options and possibilities, visit wallawalla.edu/ed-psych.

Posted April 22, 2019