Sarah Montgomery, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Elementary Education
(319) 273-6757

Department of Curriculum and Instruction
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0606

Sarah.Montgomery@uni.edu
Areas of Expertise: 

Elementary Social Studies
Literacy Education & Integration
Service Learning
Critical Literacy & Digital Media
Professional Development School Partnerships
Teacher Inquiry

Courses Taught: 

Elementary Curriculum
Teaching Elementary School Social Studies
Methods of Teaching Content Literacy in the Intermediate Grades (3-6)

MAE in Elementary Education:
Issues & Trends in Curriculum
Analysis & Improvement of Social Studies Instruction in the Elementary School
Methods and Materials in Literacy Education

Research Interests: 

Democratic Teaching Practices in K-16 Classrooms
Elementary Social Studies Methods
Service-Learning
Teacher Education

Selected Publications: 
  • Montgomery, Z. K., Montgomery, S. E., Silbernagel, E., Epley Birtwistle, A., & Ayesiga, Y. (In Press, 2017) “‘You’re not Latino, You’re American’: Heritage Learners of Spanish Navigate Issues of Cultural Identity in Higher Education.” College Student Affairs Journal. [National blind peer-reviewed journal, 10% acceptance rate].
  • Cavanaugh, D. M., Clemence, K. J., Teale, M. M., Rule, A. C., & Montgomery, S. E. (2016). Kindergarten scores, storytelling, executive function, and motivation improved through literacy-rich guided play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 44 (6), DOI 10.1007/s10643-016- 0832-8 [International blind peer-reviewed journal, 18% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, S. E., Miller, W., Foss, P., Tallakson, D., & Howard, M. (2015). Banners for books: “Mighty-hearted” kindergartners take action through arts-based service learning. Early Childhood Education Journal, 45(1), 1-14. DOI 10.1007/s10643-015- 0765-7 [International blind peer-reviewed journal, 18% acceptance rate].
  • Kuhn, K., Rausch, C., McCarty, T., Montgomery, S. E., & Rule, A. C. (2015). Utilizing nonfiction texts to enhance reading comprehension and vocabulary in primary grades. Early Childhood Education Journal, 45(2), 285-296. DOI 10.1007/s10643-015- 0763-9 [International blind peer-reviewed journal, 18% acceptance rate].
  • Bradford, K. L., Newland, A. C., Rule, A. C., & Montgomery, S. E. (2015). Rubrics as a tool in writing instruction: Effects on the opinion essays of first and second graders. Early Childhood Education Journal, 43(5), DOI 10.1007/s10643-015- 0727-0 [International blind peer-reviewed journal, 18% acceptance rate].
  • Rule, A. C., Montgomery, S. E., Kirkland Holmes, G., Watson, D. C., & Ayesiga, Y. (2015). Professional development experiences of diverse participants during an African mask-making workshop. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 17(2), 135-157. [International, Blind Peer-reviewed Journal Sponsored by Eastern University of St. Davids, PA, USA].
  • Mourlam, D. & Montgomery, S. E. (2015). iPads & teacher education: Exploring a 1:1 initiative in a professional development school partnership. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 31(3), 107-116. DOI: 10.1080/21532974.2015.1021981 [National Journal, blind peer review, 30% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, S. E. (2014). Critical democracy through digital media production in a third-grade classroom. Theory and Research in Social Education, 42(2), 197-227 [National Journal, blind peer review, 17% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, Z., Ugoretz, S., Montgomery, S. E., Vander Zanden, S., Jorgensen, A. & Rudic, M. (2014). Reconsidering the American dream and U.S. Latino culture in a college Spanish service-learning course. Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 6 (1), 3-16. [National journal, blind peer review, 34% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, S. E., Christie, E., & Staudt, J. (2014). Beyond Biography: Rethinking Women’s History Month to Inspire Civic Action. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 26(3), 10-14. [National journal, blind peer review, 50% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, S. E. (2014). Re-envisioning social studies with the community school model of Elsie Ripley Clapp. Social Studies Research & Practice, 9(1), 154-164. [International journal, blind peer review, 7-9% acceptance rate].
  • Rule, A. C., Montgomery, S. E., & Vander Zanden, S. M. (2013). Preservice teachers map compassion: Connecting social studies and literacy through nonfictional animal stories. Early Childhood Education Journal, Online First DOI: 10.1007/s10643-013- 0597-2 [International blind peer-reviewed journal, 18% acceptance rate].
  • Rule, A. C., & Montgomery, S. E. (2013). Using cartoons to teach about perfectionism supporting gifted students’ social-emotional development. Gifted Child Today 36(4), 255-262. (National Sage Journal, blind peer review, 25%].
  • Christie, E. M., Montgomery, S. E. & Staudt, J. (2012). Little by little: Global citizenship through local action inspired by Wangari Maathai. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 25(2), 8-11. [National journal, blind peer review, 50% acceptance rate].
  • Rule, A., Montgomery, S., Tallakson, D., Stichter, M., Barness, A., & Decker, A. (2012). Teacher candidate attitude changes after experiencing an arts-integrated unit on Africa. Social Studies Research and Practice, 6(2), 15-31. [International journal, blind peer review, 7-9% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, S. E. & Christie, E. M. (2011). A new take on New Year’s celebrations. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 24(2), 14-18. [National journal, blind peer review, 50% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, S. E. (2011). Marva Collins’ method: Providing culturally relevant pedagogy. Vitae Scholasticae, 28(2), 34-50. (Special Issue on The Pedagogies of Black Educators). [International Journal, blind peer review, 33% acceptance rate].
  • Montgomery, S. E., & Rule, A. C. (2011). Integrating the arts: Pre-service elementary teachers make African masks of six cultures for social studies lessons with primary grade students. Social Studies Research and Practice, 6(1), 89-109. [International journal, blind peer review, 11% acceptance rate].
  • Rule, A. C., & Montgomery, S. E. (2011). Reflections of pre-service elementary teachers after learning about an African culture through mask-making. Social Studies Research and Practice, 6(1), 58-74. [International journal, blind peer review, 11% acceptance rate].
  • Christie, E. M. & Montgomery, S. E., (2010). Beyond pilgrim hats and turkey hands: Using Thanksgiving to promote citizenship and activism. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 23(1), 27-30. [National journal, blind peer review, 50% acceptance rate].
  • Goodman, J., Montgomery, S. & Ables, C. (2010).  Rorty's social theory and the narrative of U.S. history curriculum. Education and culture: The Journal of the John Dewey Society, 26(1), 3-22. [International journal, blind peer review, 35% acceptance rate].
  • Boyle-Baise, M., McClain, L., & Montgomery, S. (2010). Living one's civics: Making a difference through service learning. In M. McGuire & C. Bronwyn (eds.). Making a difference: Revitalizing elementary social studies. Washington, DC: National Council for the Social Studies.
  • Montgomery, S.E. (2009). Why men left: Reconsidering the feminization of teaching in the nineteenth century. American Educational History Journal, 36 (1), 219-236. [National journal, double-blind peer review, 50% acceptance rate].
Grants: 

UNI Reaching Higher Ground Grant, 2012-2013

PATHWAYS ADVENTURES: Using Historical Documents to Develop Early Literacy, Library of Congress Primary Resources Project Grant 2011

PATHWAYS: Using Historical Documents to Chart the Past, Library of
Congress Primary Resources Project Grant, December 2010

Undergraduate Research Grant, College of Education, University of Northern Iowa, Creating Active Citizens: Children’s Literature Infused Service-Learning Initiatives, November 2010

ComServ Iowa Grant, Iowa Department of Education, July 2010

Undergraduate Research Grant, College of Education, University of Northern Iowa, Service-Learning in Iowa’s Elementary Schools: A Study in Training and Support for Teachers, April 2010

Honors & Awards: 
  • 2020 Outstanding Honors Faculty Award, University of Northern Iowa
  • 2017 Class of 1943 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Northern Iowa
  • 2017 University of Northern Iowa Summer Research Fellowship
  • 2016 College of Education Summer Enhancement Fellowship, University of Northern Iowa
  • 2015 Center for Educational Transformation Summer Fellow-Affiliate, University of Northern Iowa
  • 2014 Pre-Tenure Summer Fellowship Award, University of Northern Iowa
  • 2014 Apple Polishers Award, Student Admissions Ambassadors, University of Northern Iowa (Nominated by 2 students)
  • 2013 Post-Secondary Educator of the Year Award, Iowa Technology & Education Connection (ITEC)
  • 2013 University of Northern Iowa Summer Research Fellowship
  • 2011 University Book & Supply Outstanding Teaching Award, University of Northern Iowa
  • 2008 Kipchoge Kirkland Social Justice Award, College and University Faculty Assembly; Montgomery, S.E. (2008). "Democratic practice through critical media literacy in the social studies: Lessons from Youth Radio." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the College and University Faculty Assembly, National Council for the Social Studies, Houston.
Professional Affiliations: 

National Council for the Social Studies - Early Childhood & Elementary Community

College & University Faculty Assembly (CUFA)

Iowa Council for the Social Studies

Education: 

Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Indiana University, 2009
M.S.Ed., Indiana University, 2006
B.A., Magna Cum Laude with Honors in Psychology, Kalamazoo College, 2002
Université Marc Bloch, Strasbourg, France, 2000-2001