About 70% of Missouri’s schools identify as rural, but there is no state-supported office or university-based center focused on rural school needs – until now. Missouri State University will open its new Center for Rural Education June 9. Housed in the College of Education, the center will serve as a hub to organize and promote rural school outreach and partnerships. Dr. Diana … [Read more...] about Serving and supporting Missouri’s rural schools
In an effort to promote the child life specialist profession, three experts in the field came together to present new research in their book, “The Role of Child Life Specialists in Community Settings,” published by IGI Global. The book’s editors are Dr. Lindsey Murphy, assistant professor and graduate child life studies program director at Missouri State University, Cara Smith, … [Read more...] about Expanding child life beyond health care
Class is in session for the first semester of the Future Educators Program, a cooperative arrangement between Missouri State University and Springfield Public Schools. It’s a grow your own program, where Springfield graduates commit to Missouri State University and then commit to teaching in SPS once they graduate. “Grow your own programs are popping up around the country … [Read more...] about Grow your own program works to add teachers to SPS classrooms
Across the nation, teachers are leaving the profession. The pandemic and shifting political landscape have left teachers feeling overworked and undervalued. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, K-12 teachers report the highest burnout rate of all U.S. professions. More than four out of every 10 teachers said they feel burned out “always” or “very often” at work. Dr. Stefanie … [Read more...] about More teachers than ever are leaving the profession
Our children have spent the past two years living through a pandemic, sifting through experiences and learning the new “normal.” Dr. Lindsey Murphy, associate professor in Missouri State University’s department of childhood education and family studies, has worked with children in crisis situations. “In general, caregivers have been more stressed during the pandemic, balancing … [Read more...] about Supporting children in times of uncertainty