College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to celebrate Philosophy Adjunct Faculty member, Sean Gould, who has been named Idaho’s 2025 GEM Innovative Educator of the Year in Artistic and Humanistic Ways of Knowing. This top honor from the Idaho State Board of Education recognizes faculty who bring general education to life for non-majors, helping students build lasting skills through creative, engaging instruction.
Gould’s work stands out statewide for his innovative approach to teaching philosophy, his dedication to student growth, and his commitment to access and equity through open educational practices.
Teaching philosophy to non-majors can be a challenge, but Gould makes it meaningful and approachable. In his Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 101) course, he encourages students to explore questions about existence, identity, ethics, and society while learning to apply philosophical inquiry to their own lives and future careers.
“Philosophy is like whitewater rafting or snowboarding,” Gould said. “There’s exploration, but it’s grounded in skills and structure. My role is to guide students safely through that journey, to help them reflect, grow, and take these tools with them long after the class ends.”
Drawing on his years as a raft guide and snowboard instructor, Gould uses real-world analogies to make abstract ideas relatable. Through scaffolded writing assignments, personalized video feedback, and active reflection, students learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and reason ethically.
Gould’s course design helps students develop the kind of durable skills that carry far beyond college. His four-part essay sequence in PHIL 101 is structured much like a ski lesson: warm-up, introduce skill, refine, and cool down. Each essay builds on the last, beginning with personal reflection, then expanding to research, analysis, and ethical reasoning. By the end of the term, students not only understand philosophical ideas, but also learn to think more deeply and intentionally about the world around them.
What sets Gould’s teaching apart is his focus on connection and reflection. Assignments invite students to relate course concepts to their own worldviews, experiences, and goals. His classes emphasize personal reflection, engagement with primary sources, and the ability to construct and evaluate arguments while applying ethical reasoning to real-life scenarios.
“His extensive feedback, often delivered through individualized video messages and detailed written notes, goes far beyond typical online instruction,” said Department Chair of Integrated Studies, Joel Gladd. “Students regularly comment on how seen, supported, and intellectually challenged they feel in his courses.”
Gould’s commitment to educational access is another reason he stood out for this award. He integrates open educational resources (OER) across all his courses and was named a 2022 OPAL Fellow by the Idaho State Board of Education for his leadership in open education. He has authored and revised OER textbooks for courses including Introduction to Logic and World Religions and collaborates with faculty statewide to expand access to high-quality, no-cost learning materials. By eliminating textbook costs in every class he teaches, Gould ensures all students, regardless of income or background, have access to course materials from day one.
In addition to his teaching, Gould has made significant contributions to general education curriculum and leadership at both the institutional and statewide levels. He has volunteered time to align philosophy course outcomes with statewide GEM standards, supported assessment and program revision for general education at CWI, and mentored other faculty through shared resources and assignment design. He also serves in Idaho’s humanities community as a board member of McCall Arts and Humanities.
“I’ve fallen, swum, and struggled,” Gould said. “That personal familiarity with failure helps me support students through their own. In the classroom, just like on a river, we need each other for safety, fun, and learning.”
The Idaho GEM Innovative Educator Awards celebrate faculty who transform general education. Gould was honored at the statewide GEM Summit on October 9 in Pocatello, where he presented his innovative practices to educators from across Idaho.
CWI congratulates Gould on this well-deserved recognition!
