Katy Montoya, associate clinical professor, associate chair and bachelor of social work program coordinator at NAU, was recognized with the National Association of Social Workers’ Transformational Educator of the Year for her dedication and the impact she has made on her students. Find out what inspired her to become an educator and what this award means to her.
What brought you to NAU?
I came to NAU in 2010 after working at a local nonprofit hospice agency for 10 years, looking for a change from death, dying and bereavement work all day, every day. I was hired for a position at NAU Counseling Services as the university’s first case management coordinator for mental health. After eight years there (working with wonderful people!), I moved over to the Department of Social Work to try my hand at teaching and have been there since.
What does it mean to you to be named the Transformational Educator of the Year?
It means so much. There are just so many times in our work that we do not really know if we are truly making an impact on students’ lives. So, to know that the work I have done over the last 24 years, first as a BSW field internship supervisor in the community and on campus, and now as an associate clinical professor, has been genuinely appreciated, is all anyone can ask for. It also makes me truly appreciate the impact of authenticity. We teach this in social work, and I feel it’s the only thing I know how to do well. So even when I am unsure of my teaching skills, I always try to reassure myself that if I just show up as me, it will be OK. And you know what? That has worked out pretty well.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I think in elementary school, I wanted to be a dancer or a lawyer. Haha! Those two things obviously did not work out. By the time I entered high school, I knew I wanted to be a counselor of some sort, a psychologist I thought. Professional social workers aren’t a group of people that a lot of young kids would have heard of if they hadn’t had a need for them in their lives. But when I got to college and had the opportunity to explore the vast possibilities of the profession, I knew it was a great fit for me.
What have you been most proud of recently?
Probably this award!
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
When the weather is nice, I really enjoy going out for a neighborhood walk with my dog or around Flagstaff or Sedona with my husband. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!
What are three items on your bucket list?
You know, as an educator who teaches death, dying and grief, I often encourage students to find bucket list items that have little to no cost. Otherwise, we end up putting off bucket list items for a day when we think we will have lots of money or time off work. That day may never come, so finding items that bring meaning to your life without the expense is important. Mending old relationships, nurturing new ones, being completely present in nature, cultivating wonder about animals, insects, the blue sky above…all completely free. I also subscribe to everyone’s favorite answer … travel! It’s such an appealing answer because it’s a big part of the wonder of living–to see new things, meet new people, try new foods, get new perspectives on life and take a break from your current reality. If you have the freedom and privilege to travel, that’s amazing too.