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Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« Group Steps Inside Native American Classroom During Summer Travels

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« students and faculty returned to the campus this fall with new lessons learned from their work inside the classrooms of in Browning, Montana.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« students and faculty engaged with middle school teachers and Native American students as part of the travel study course “Approaches and Applications for the Multicultural Classroom.” The program, designed to deepen participants' understanding of multicultural education, allowed future educators to assist with classroom tasks and mentor middle school students during lessons, reading sessions, and enrichment activities. The experience offered profound insights into the complexities of teaching in diverse settings.

“The experience was profoundly impactful and left a lasting impression, significantly enhancing the pre-service teachers’ preparation for their future teaching roles,” said Dr. Seung Kim, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« College of Education and Social Sciences professor.

Students also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of the Blackfeet tribe. They visited significant tribal sites, engaged with Blackfeet leaders, and hiked in Glacier National Park, gaining a deeper appreciation of the tribe's culture and insights into how its educational environment differs.

“I learned a lot from these kids. They have gone through a lot and continue to, yet they keep going,” student Conner Skoumal reflected. “This trip was an incredible opportunity to meet some amazing kids who may just change how you look at the world.”

Amy Lilek, a graduate student, echoed,“I enjoyed learning about the Blackfeet culture and seeing similarities and differences in classrooms there and here. Plus, the surrounding area is breathtakingly gorgeous!”

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« students, including Delaney Garrett, Julianne Hobson, Amy Lilek, Mariah Nungaray, Madison Onderwater, Gwendalyn Pasowicz, and Connor Skoumal were accompanied by faculty members Drs. Seung Kim and Robert Culp, who served as chaperones for the trip.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally-connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit for further information.