Mike and Becky Telling
Mike Telling graduated from the University of Montana Western in 1993. This was two years behind his wife, Becky Telling, who graduated in 1991 after completing her degree in just three-and-a-half years.
Mike first utilized his Bachelor of Science degree to work for a private company creating technology to remedy acidic mine water. He returned to Montana Western and received his secondary education degree in 1997.
He went on to teach in Butte and Boulder before beginning his current teaching position at Beaverhead County High School 13 years ago.
Mike Telling said of Montana Western: “It was the place where I rediscovered my joy for learning, and gained confidence in my academic ability.”
Becky Telling first applied her degree in elementary education to teaching grades K-8 in Polaris, Montana. Her next position was teaching 4th-8th grade at the Wise River School. She worked there for seven years before going on sabbatical after the birth of her first child.
She soon returned to teaching in both Butte and Boulder before moving to Dillon, Montana where she became a teacher-in-residence at the University of Montana Western while her husband taught chemistry, physics, and earth science at the local high school. Currently, she teaches 6th and 7th grade language arts at Dillon Middle School.
On teaching, Becky Telling said, “I have the privilege of glimpsing little snapshots of the inner growth and development of inspiring minds. I get to spend my day with amazing people and search for better ways of doing the thing that I love--teaching!”
Each year, educators like Mike and Becky Telling are inducted into the Montana Western Education Hall of Fame thanks to the partnership between the University of Montana Western and Stockman Bank.
Do you know an outstanding educator from the University of Montana Western? If so, we want to hear from you! We are currently soliciting nominations for the 2020 Education Hall of Fame Awards. Email alumni@umwestern.edu to get more information.
