Rate My Professor Lauren Davis

Dr. Lauren Davis serves as Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction and Head of the Department of Education within the College of Education, Health, and Human Development at Montana State University. She holds an Ed.D. and focuses her expertise on educational assessment, middle level education, and field supervision. Davis's research centers on trauma-informed practices to enhance educator wellness and foster positive youth development, with a particular emphasis on rural Montana communities. Her work addresses critical challenges such as teacher shortages, mental health crises, and the need for innovative interventions in underserved areas. As department head, she oversees programs that prepare future educators, including initiatives to transition paraprofessionals into teaching roles through accessible certification pathways.

Davis has made significant contributions through peer-reviewed publications that explore trauma-informed yoga interventions and community-based approaches. Notable works include “Following the Breath:” A Trauma-Informed Intervention for Educator Wellness in Rural Montana (2022), From Surviving to Thriving: A Trauma-Informed Yoga Intervention for Adolescents and Educators in Rural Montana (2024), Remote Delivery of a Trauma-Informed Yoga Intervention for Educators During COVID-19 (2023), Equine-Assisted Learning as a Means to Explore Anxiety Management Among Rural Adolescents (2023), Trauma-Informed Yoga: Investigating an Intervention for Educators (2022), and Strength in Numbers: The Promise of Community-Based Participatory Research in Rural Education (2022). These publications highlight practical applications of yoga, breathwork, and equine therapy to mitigate trauma effects on teachers and students. She leads funded projects, such as A Trauma-Informed Intervention for Positive Youth Development and Teacher Wellness in Rural Montana through the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE). Additionally, Davis serves as a member of the University Teacher Education Committee and contributes to faculty handbooks and graduate programs in educational leadership. Her efforts support Montana State's mission to improve educational outcomes in rural settings.