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

May 8, 2026 - 03:12

When Sarah Fetterman walks across the stage on May 8 to receive her bachelor's degree in elementary education, she will carry more than a diploma. She will take with her a deepened belief that teaching is her calling, a conviction strengthened by her time at Montana State University.

Fetterman says her college experience went far beyond textbooks and lesson plans. It was the people she met and the willingness to try new things that truly shaped her education. She credits her professors and fellow students with pushing her to think differently about how children learn and how to create a classroom where every student feels valued.

One of the most important lessons she learned was the power of staying open-minded. By stepping outside her comfort zone, she discovered new approaches to teaching and built lasting relationships that will support her career. Fetterman says these connections taught her that good teaching is not just about delivering information. It is about listening, adapting, and building trust.

As she prepares to enter the profession, Fetterman feels ready. Her time at Montana State confirmed that she chose the right path. She is eager to bring the same curiosity and openness she practiced in college into her own classroom, hoping to inspire her future students the way her mentors inspired her.