Rachael Waller

Dr. Rachael Waller is a Professor in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice at Montana State University Billings (MSUB) College of Education. She has dedicated 11 years to teaching reading and literacy while serving as the Director of MSUB’s Reading Clinic, which provides community tutoring services for children.

• Director of MSUB’s Reading Clinic
• Program Lead for Reading and Early Childhood Education
• Former President of the Montana State Literacy Council
• Former President of the Organization of Teacher Educators in Literacy

Her research focuses on socio-cultural factors influencing children’s access to literature and reading proficiency, particularly in rural settings. She pioneered the Virtual Reading Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding its reach nationally and integrating technology into Pre-K–12 education. Her innovations have been sustained post-pandemic, emphasizing virtual teaching readiness.

Dr. Waller’s leadership extends to membership in multiple university and community organizations, and her work has earned national recognition for the clinic and MSUB. She was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Service Learning Award for her commitment to impactful service learning experiences.