New Family and Consumer Sciences/Community Development Agent Shae Bruursema

Published: 2022
By Shae Bruursema

Coming to MSU Extension from the Family & Consumer Sciences classroom, Shae Bruursema has been utilizing her connections with the schools to ensure FCS teachers know the information and resources MSU Extension can provide. In September, 12 FCS teachers from Lewis & Clark County and five surrounding counties met at Lewis & Clark County MSU Extension to receive an update from the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and hear Bruursema speak about how they can use MSU Extension in their classrooms. These educators learned about programs in food and nutrition, mental health, family finance, and leadership. In addition, Bruursema is also serving on the Financial Literacy Steering Committee through OPI to help develop standards for required Financial Education in Montana schools. She hopes to continue to bridge the gap between MSU Extension and FCS classrooms to ensure all ages have access to research-based education and information in Family & Consumer Sciences. As a new agent, she has been working to create connections with the people in Lewis & Clark County communities. By attending local Chamber of Commerce meetings, Government Days, and volunteering for community events, she hopes she can better understand the individual needs of each diverse community. Since starting with MSU Extension, she has attended training in Ripple Effects Mapping, Teambuilding Activities and Strategies, Facilitating Uncomfortable and Difficult Conversations and Using Storytelling and Creativity in Leadership, in hopes of better serving the people in Lewis & Clark County once Community Development needs have been identified.