Chris Pavlovich, PhD

Email: gillypav@gmail.com Phone: 406-224-0009

Selected Honors, Awards, and Public Outreach/Service:

• Montana Environmental Education Association Formal Educator of the Year, 2022;

• Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators, 2022;

• Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education, 2021; and

• Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, 2020

Education:

Interests:

Chris Pavlovich is an educator, researcher, and curriculum specialist passionate about the intersections of place, culture, community, and learning. Her work centers on advancing place-based, interdisciplinary, and inquiry-driven education that connects classroom learning with the complex ecological and social systems students experience in their communities.

With a background in elementary education, watershed education, professional learning, and program evaluation, Chris is particularly interested in how authentic investigations and community partnerships can deepen scientific understanding, strengthen relationships with place, and cultivate a sense of responsibility and agency. Central to her work is a commitment to teacher agency, recognizing educators as intellectual leaders, researchers, and knowledge producers who shape educational practice and contribute to meaningful change. She is passionate about creating opportunities for teachers to engage in collaborative inquiry, critically examine their practice, and exercise professional judgment in ways that honor their expertise and the communities they serve.

Currently serving as a Teaching and Learning Specialist at Kamehameha Schools in Hawaiʻi, Chris works alongside educators to support culturally grounded, place-responsive curriculum and meaningful learning experiences rooted in relationships, community knowledge, and shared responsibility. She also remains connected to watershed education and educational research through her work with Ripple: The Center for Education and Ecosystem Studies.

Chris enjoys spending time near water, tending to plants, lifting weights, running, and reading, all preferably with a dog buddy or two nearby. She returns to Montana each summer for the MSSE Capstone program and to reconnect with the people and places that make Montana her forever home.

Selected Publications:

Hammack, R., Yeter, I., Pavlovich, C., & Boz, T. (2024). Pre-service elementary teachers’ science and engineering teaching self-efficacy and outcome expectancy: exploring the impacts of efficacy source experiences through varying course modalities. International Journal of STEM Education, 11(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00464-9.

Brandl, R. L., Pavlovich, C. L., & Pedulla, M. L.(2024).Bringing Research Into the Classroom: Bacteriophage Discovery Connecting University Scientists, Students, and Faculty to Rural K-12 Teachers, Students, and Administrators. Journal of STEM Outreach, 7(2), 1-15.https://doi.org/10.15695/jstem/v7i2.08.

Professional Service/Activities:

• Executive Board, Montana Environmental Education Association, 2023-Present

• MSP-LEAD Mentor, 2016-2018

• Montana Science Content Development Team Advisor, Montana Office of Public Instruction Science Content       Advisory Committee, Helena, Montana 2019, 2024

• Teacher Education Co-Director, Northwest Earth and Space Science Pipeline, Montana, Statewide 2017-2019

• Montana Regions of Partnerships for Excellence in STEM, Lead Teacher Trainer, 2012-2017

• Montana Science Standard Writing Team Coach

• Montana Office of Public Instruction, Helena, Montana

• 2016 Montana Science Standards Adoption

Selected Professional Presentations:

Pavlovich, C., Jetty, M., Weber, J, Guscio, D.. (2024). Climate and Local Resiliency. Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association Camp, Regional Institute, Red Lodge, Montana.

Pavlovich, C., Brandl, R. (2024). Environmental Education: Solutions-Based Pedagogy to Avoid SuperDoom, National Association of Research in Science Teaching, International Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Brandl, R., Pavlovich, C. (2024). Broader Impacts:  Connecting Goals and Research. National Association of Research in Science Teaching, International Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Brandl, R., Pavlovich, C., Pedulla, M. (2024). PHAGES Symposium: Bringing Research into the Classroom. Montana Technological University, State Symposium, Butte, Montana.

Pavlovich, C., Windchief, S. (2024). Decolonizing Curriculum: Critical Content Analysis of a Classroom Reading Resource. American Educational Research Association, National Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pavlovich, C., Hammack, R. (2023). Exploring Elementary Pre-Service Teachers’ Science and Engineering Teaching Efficacy Beliefs. National Association of Research in Science Teaching, International Conference. Chicago, Illinois.