Building designed by
teachers near and far

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation contributed $3 million to a state-of-the-art facility to be connected to the current education building. The Washingtons made the contribution in 2005 as part of their commitment to UM’s $100 million capital campaign, “Invest in Discovery.”

Architectural features of the Phyllis Washington Education Center were shown on video at the unveiling ceremony by Stan Zimet of Oz Architects. Construction will begin in 2008 on a 25,000-square-foot center expansion, pending receipt of other gift commitments to the project.

The center is designed to train future education professionals, as well as enhance partnerships with practicing educators in the field. A highlight of the addition will be space for the Early Childhood Modeling Center, which takes a “wraparound” approach to serving youngsters and their families.

The planned facility also will feature indoor and outdoor classrooms, observation stations for education and counseling students, a state-of-the-art classroom for science and math methods, distance learning teaching, production and research areas, seminar and conference rooms, and space for professional and pre-professional activities.

“All across our state, people eagerly await this fabulous new facility,” said Roberta Evans, interim dean of the education school. “They know it will do far more than just ensure UM’s programs for teachers, counselors and administrators are nationally recognized. It also will become a model training facility where professional development opportunities and partnerships with P-12 schools and other campuses work together to help Montanans succeed.”