April 2003

Missoula fourth-grade teacher
wins UM's Shreeve Award
When Sue Rowe was summoned to the principal's office at Misssoula's Hellgate Elementary School the day before Spring Break, the fourth-grade teacher figured she had done something wrong.

"From the look on (Principal Bruce Whitehead's) face, I thought I was in trouble," Rowe said.

Instead, Whitehead informed Rowe that she was the 2003 recipient of UM's prestigious Maryfrances Shreeve Award -- presented annually to an outstanding Montana educator.

"When he told me, I was completely shocked," Rowe said.

But those who know the 20-year teaching veteran were not the least bit shocked that she was selected for the award -- named in honor of Shreeve, a longtime Montana teacher.

"Sue was doing technology in the classroom before technology was cool," said Whitehead, who has served as Hellgate's principal for 22 years. "What makes Sue special is the way she collaborates with other staff members in developing programs. . We have an extraordinary staff here and she's a fine example of our staff."

Rowe's students feel the same way as Whitehead.
"She's a really intelligent teacher. She's not too strict, but she's kind of strict," said 10-year-old Morgan Braby. "And she's a really cool teacher who lets kids do work at whatever level they need to."

Rowe, a UM graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1982 and a master's degree in education in 1989, has spent her entire teaching career at Hellgate Elementary -- a K-8 school known for its progressiveness and cutting-edge technology programs.

As a child, Rowe vowed never to become a teacher -- the profession taken up by her mother, stepfather and sister. But all that changed at UM, where she started in social work, but soon switched to education.

"Social work was too sad," Rowe said. "I realized teaching was for me after all because I really like kids and I like to be animated."

After six years of teaching first grade and another 14 in fourth grade, Rowe said she has no regrets about her career choice.

"I love this school. It's a great school to work in," she said. "We really can teach in our own manner. We follow the curriculum and teach what's required. But we can do it in our own style."

Rowe, who was a runner-up for the Shreeve award the past two years, will be honored at a banquet in April. She also will receive a $3,000 cash prize.

But while the cash and recognition are nice, Rowe is quick to state that the real reward in teaching comes from the kids she spends time with every day. "I really enjoy the kids. They are a riot. They smile at you and make you feel really important. That's what I like about teaching."

University Relations | Cary Shimek, Editor
The University of Montana-Missoula
32 Campus Drive | Missoula, MT 59812
phone (406) 243-2522 | fax (406) 243-4520
© 2004 The University of Montana