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Dr. Nigel Waterton, Assistant Professor

SOU Faculty

"I want my students to develop their content knowledge in ways that foster continued curiosity and investigation – that they may become models of impassioned learners."

Degrees Held:

  • EdD in Curriculum and Instruction – Montana State University, 2016
  • MAT in Secondary English – University of Portland, 1994
  • BA Philosophy and Theology – University of Portland, 1991

Career Highlights:

After teaching secondary language arts in Colorado and Montana for 14 years, I moved into higher ed at Montana State University in 2009, and relocated to SOU in August of 2020. My work focuses on English education, classroom structures and logistics, culturally sustaining pedagogies, rural schooling, and literacies. I was humbled to be selected as the outstanding graduate student in curriculum and instruction in 2016, and the College of Health and Human Development's Outstanding Faculty award winner the following year. I find myself again among stellar colleagues, with whom I work to introduce our good students into the world of teaching and learning.

  • What do you want students to take away from your classes? What do you want them to learn?

    I want my students to grow in confidence and skills to teach every youth who enters their own classrooms in ways that honor and sustain the contexts of their students. I want my students to learn pedagogies that sustain our youth and their learning in critical, thoughtful directions. I want my students to develop their content knowledge in ways that foster continued curiosity and investigation – that they may become models of impassioned learners.

  • How long have you been teaching online courses?

    12 years

  • Why did you start teaching?

    Because I love communicating important ideas in artful ways with people.

  • What is the value of a higher degree in the field in which you teach?

    Depth of content knowledge. Depth of pedagogy. Depth of empathy. These are the things that make excellent teachers.

  • What advice would you give to those considering your online program?

    Get ready for a challenging period of time, where in-depth thinking, reading and writing, coupled with performance of many teaching tasks will enrich your life and prepare you for your future in education. Get ready to get busy.

  • What is the one book you think everyone should read?

    "Democracy and Education" by John Dewey

  • Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students might not know:

    I used to guide fly fishing on the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers to support my English teaching habit.


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