EHHD Student & Alumni Ambassadors

• 1977 BS in Elementary Education
• 1978 Library K-12
• 2000 Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Administration Endorsement

I taught every grade K-12 with the exception of 5th grade. I have taught in the regular classroom, music, and been a librarian for K-4, K-12, and 7-12. I worked for the Golden Triangle Curriculum cooperative as the assistant director in charge of technology integration. I was the curriculum and assessment administrator in Helena along with administering the Title and CTE programs for that district. I have also been an adjunct professor at MSU. After retiring, I worked remotely for the state in the assessment division, leading the formative assessment component of SBAC.

Currently, I serve as the Madison County Superintendent of Schools. I have worked with/in an independent elementary school, a class C K-12 school, a class B school, and a AA school district. My plethora of experience is key to my being of assistance to those students wishing to enter our amazing profession.

• 2006 Elementary Education 
• 2012 Montana State University Graduate Degree MSSE 
• 2019 Montana State University National Board Certified Teacher Early Adolescent Mathematics

12 years of experience teaching. A Great Falls, Montana native, now living in Spokane, Washington. I have experience in both upper elementary as well as middle school. I’ve taught in three states: Idaho, Montana, and Washington.

Building culture and engaging students are some of my strengths. I dig when teachers are motivated to improve their craft outside of traditional methods. I’m not a fan of the “I do, we do, you do teaching method”. I love piquing students' curiosity, teaching through rich tasks, and developing problem solvers- not memorizers. Effort is king and the ability to fail is a must.

I love my family (wife and two young boys), running, skiing, and fly fishing. I am also a co-host for the R&R Cat Cast- a podcast dedicated to Montana State athletics.

• 1989 BS in Mathematics, teaching option
• Physical Education minor

Michelle Bigler is enthusiastic and passionate about everything involved with teaching and learning. She graduated from Montana State University in 1989 with a mathematics degree, teaching option, and a minor in physical education. The strong initial teacher education Michelle received at MSU enabled her to begin her career in education at an Alternative High School in Colorado. With a desire to individualize her student's mathematics instruction, Michelle began to embed technology into her lessons in a variety of ways. Utilizing innovative instructional practices quickly caught the eye of district leadership which led to Michelle's roles as a technology integration professional development trainer for two districts. Earning a master's degree in Educational Leadership drew Michelle into an elementary principal role where she started each day with more than 300 hugs doing bus duty. Seeing children's growth that was fostered by dedicated and professional educators is one of the greatest joys of her career. Continuing to challenge herself, Michelle is now an instructor for initial teacher education for undergraduate and graduate programs concurrent with doctoral studies in the Education, Equity, and Transformation program. Her research interests involve student/family co-learning and intergenerational learning, using technology to enhance instruction, STEM education, and initial teacher education.

Michelle shares her time with her partner of 32 years, three adult children, a puppy, and a love for everything outdoors. You can often find Michelle gardening, hiking, skiing, or enjoying time on the patio. Michelle is excited to be part of the Alumni Ambassador program within MSU's College of Education, Health, and Human Development as working with aspiring and in-service teachers brings her joy and rejuvenation. She looks forward to meeting and mentoring current MSU students!