Rachael Waller

Dr. Rachael Waller

Professor, Educational Theory and Practice, COE

Dr. Rachael Waller has been teaching reading and literacy at MSUB for the past 11 years. She is also the director of MSUB’s Reading Clinic where she oversees a tutoring program for children in the community. Waller has also been the program lead for reading and early childhood for many years.

Waller’s research interests center on socio-cultural factors and how they interplay with children’s access to literature and their ability to read, particularly in rural settings. Recent research efforts have centered on her work in the Reading Clinic, and she is a member of an international research team that studies reading clinics.

In recent years, Waller has expanded the impact of the Reading Clinic to students around Montana and the U.S. to include a Virtual Reading Clinic, where online MSUB graduate students tutor children within their own communities and schools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Waller moved the in-person Reading Clinic to a virtual format, and quickly embraced new technology. As a result, the reach of the clinic now extends nationally, has a national reputation, and is highly sought after by educators and school principals.

This technology shift during the pandemic provided Waller a chance to prepare her pre-service teachers for teaching in virtual environments, which is predicted to be necessary part of teaching in Pre-K through 12th grade settings for the foreseeable future. These innovations she implemented are continuing now, even as in-person instruction has returned, as technology has remained a key component in learning.

Notable leadership positions include having been former President of the Montana State Literacy Council and President of the Organization of Teacher Educators in Literacy. She also a member of numerous university and community organizations.

Waller has created a long-standing, quality program that brings positive recognition to the university, provides a rich learning environment for students, and delivers an important service locally, regionally, and nationally. MSUB has a gem in Dr. Waller because of her commitment to engaging and effective service learning experiences for students, which makes her a well-deserving recipient of the Outstanding Service Learning Award.