Eliza Thomas, Ed.D.
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Dr. Eliza Thomas is a proud Montana educator raised and educated in Wolf Point, Montana K-12. Higher education locations include the University of Montana, Missoula (Bachelors in Elementary Education, K-8 and Administrative Endorsement K-12), the University of Colorado, Boulder (Masters in Education-Multicultural, Bilingual, and English as a Second Language), and Judson University, Elgin (Doctorate in Education, Literacy).
She has dedicated her life to teaching and learning and she loves to share her passion and expertise with others. No matter where she has worked, from the small rural multiage classroom where she began her career, to the specialist classrooms in the capital of Bangladesh, to the community college campus, she thrives when working to support student success. During the last twenty-seven years, her career spans from early childhood education to higher education and all areas in between. She has worked in all content areas and speciality areas as well as with school leadership.
Running an educational curriculum cooperative for twenty-six districts over ten years was a highlight of her career and gave her a vast and varied skill set in planning and preparing for learning, creating an environment for learning, assessing for learning, and developing professionalism. Currently, she’s a full time, tenured, faculty member and division chair at Flathead Valley Community College supporting the next generation of early childhood and K-12 educators. In her spare time, she consults with districts across Montana and the United States.She’s authored several teacher math resource books including Math Play and Times Up on Timed Tests (co-authored). Currently, she resides in Northwest Montana with her mom, husband, two bonus- daughters, and two fur babies. When she’s not teaching and learning, she enjoys the great outdoors in her “glamper”(glamour camper) and creative endeavors involving pens and paint in here “croffice” (creative office).
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Ed.D., Judson University, Illinois
M.A., University of Colorado
B.A., University of Montana
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director, Early Childhood Education, Full-Time Faculty, Division Chair Aug 2017-Current
Director, Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative (NMEC) Aug 2006 -- Current
Presenter, National Teacher Professional Development
-Independent Contractor/Consultant 2010-current
-Staff Development for Educators (SDE) 2010 – 2020
-Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks 2015 – 2020
PREK-12 CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
-6th Grade Teacher, Team Leader, and Mentor Teacher 2004 - 2006
Berry Creek, Colorado
-5th Grade Teacher, Math Teacher on Special Assignment 2002 - 2004
Carbondale, Colorado
-Middle School Teacher (long term substitute) 2002
Alberton, Montana
-Nursery School – 6th Grade Fine Arts and Design Technology 2000 - 2001
Dhaka, Bangladesh
-Multi-age Primary Teacher (1st and 2nd Grade) 1996 - 2000
Kalispell, Montana
She has dedicated her life to teaching and learning and she loves to share her passion and expertise with others. No matter where she has worked, from the small rural multiage classroom where she began her career, to the specialist classrooms in the capital of Bangladesh, to the community college campus, she thrives when working to support student success. During the last twenty-seven years, her career spans from early childhood education to higher education and all areas in between. She has worked in all content areas and speciality areas as well as with school leadership.
Running an educational curriculum cooperative for twenty-six districts over ten years was a highlight of her career and gave her a vast and varied skill set in planning and preparing for learning, creating an environment for learning, assessing for learning, and developing professionalism. Currently, she’s a full time, tenured, faculty member and division chair at Flathead Valley Community College supporting the next generation of early childhood and K-12 educators. In her spare time, she consults with districts across Montana and the United States.She’s authored several teacher math resource books including Math Play and Times Up on Timed Tests (co-authored). Currently, she resides in Northwest Montana with her mom, husband, two bonus- daughters, and two fur babies. When she’s not teaching and learning, she enjoys the great outdoors in her “glamper”(glamour camper) and creative endeavors involving pens and paint in here “croffice” (creative office).
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Ed.D., Judson University, Illinois
M.A., University of Colorado
B.A., University of Montana
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director, Early Childhood Education, Full-Time Faculty, Division Chair Aug 2017-Current
Director, Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative (NMEC) Aug 2006 -- Current
Presenter, National Teacher Professional Development
-Independent Contractor/Consultant 2010-current
-Staff Development for Educators (SDE) 2010 – 2020
-Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks 2015 – 2020
PREK-12 CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE
-6th Grade Teacher, Team Leader, and Mentor Teacher 2004 - 2006
Berry Creek, Colorado
-5th Grade Teacher, Math Teacher on Special Assignment 2002 - 2004
Carbondale, Colorado
-Middle School Teacher (long term substitute) 2002
Alberton, Montana
-Nursery School – 6th Grade Fine Arts and Design Technology 2000 - 2001
Dhaka, Bangladesh
-Multi-age Primary Teacher (1st and 2nd Grade) 1996 - 2000
Kalispell, Montana