“COE Bear Tracks”
February 5, 2021
Volume 1, Number 1
Dr. Barri Tinkler, Interim Dean, College of Education
Welcome to the first edition of the new COE newsletter that we have renamed “COE Bear Tracks.” Our goal is to highlight the ways that our faculty, staff, students, and alumni are having an impact and “leaving their mark.”
The newsletter will come out on the first Friday of each month. If you have items to share, please get them to Sharon Lopinot (sharonlopinot@missouristate.edu) by the end of the day on Tuesday of that week.
Important Announcements
Black History Month
Learn about all of the events happening at MSU this month to honor Black History.
https://news.missouristate.edu/2021/02/01/honoring-black-history-at-msu/
Professional Education Services Office Restructure
As of February 1, 2021, Juli Panza is now the Director of Professional Education Services, including both advisement and field experiences. Kim Dubree has transitioned to working 30 hours Tuesday through Thursday. Kim will continue as the certification officer for MSU and will continue to work with faculty in revising and submitting matrices. In addition, Kim will be managing teacher certification and post-baccalaureate applications and inquiries. All inquiries regarding field experiences, student teaching, compliances and advisement should be directed to Juli Panza.
CEFS Assistant Department Head
The department of Childhood Education and Family Studies announces the appointment of Dr. Diana Piccolo as Assistant Department Head effective February 1, 2021. Dr. Piccolo is currently an Associate Professor in the elementary education program. Her area of expertise is elementary education and mathematics education. Dr. Piccolo has provided leadership in the department as elementary education Program Coordinator, Program Director of the MS Ed Elementary program, and, most recently, serving as the Elementary Outreach Coordinator over the campuses in Lebanon, West Plains, Neosho, Cassville, and Nevada. Dr. Piccolo arrived at Missouri State in 2008 after graduating from Texas A & M University where she earned a Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction and Mathematics Education. Congratulations, Dr. Piccolo!
Diversity, Inclusion, and Civic Engagement Taskforce
The College of Education leadership team would like to announce the creation of a new taskforce. The Diversity, Inclusion and Civic Engagement Taskforce will target initiatives that enhance student and faculty educational experiences through involvement in service-learning activities and culturally responsive programs that promote diversity and inclusion for all. Each department and division will have representation on the taskforce, and Dr. Stephanie Huffman, Department Head, Reading Foundations & Technology, will chair the taskforce. The taskforce members are:
Chair – Stephanie Huffman
Representatives –
-
-
-
-
- Minor Baker
- Chloe Bolyard
- Megan Boyle
- Jeni Hopkins
- Kewman Lee
- Jennice McCafferty-Wright
- Sarah Nixon
- Nate Quinn
- Dennis Rudnick
- Matt Scott
- Michele Smith
- Nicole West
-
-
-
The taskforce will begin meeting in mid-February to outline targeted initiatives for 2021-22. Several taskforce members will be attending the Leadership for Diversity Institute training provided by the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) in May and August of 2021.
COE Faculty and Staff News
COE faculty members, Dr. Diana Piccolo-Assoc. Professor and Dr. Tammi Davis-Asst. Professor, both in the Dept. of Childhood Education and Family Studies, along with others from MSU are working on a $4 million dollar Department of Education grant. The name of the grant is “Computer Science Opportunities, Development, and Education in Rural Schools (CODERS). For more information, click below.
https://cwccc.missouristate.edu/coders-project.htm
Student Highlights
McKenzie Mathewson
Congratulations to McKenzie Mathewson, who was awarded the ACPA Commission for Professional Preparation’s Gerald Saddlemire Masters Research Award for her study, “The Impact of Social Media Usage on Missouri State University Students’ Mental Health.” McKenzie received the award for research she completed during her matriculation in the Student Affairs in Higher Education M.S. Program under the supervision of Dr. Nicole West, Assistant Professor in CLSE.
Sarah Gray
Congratulations to Sarah Gray, who is working on her Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development for receiving one of six Citizen Scholar Awards from the Board of Governors at their meeting in December. The Citizen Scholar Award was initiated in 2007 as a special Board of Governors program to recognize outstanding citizen scholars at Missouri State University. Seventy-seven (77) students since 2007 have been recognized for their stellar achievements with academics, community engagement and leadership. The award honors students who exemplify academic success and the university’s public affairs mission. Sarah plans to work in the nonprofit sector and develop local communities that value justice, equity and decolonization. This information is from the December 10, 2020 news release by University Communications.
Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Richard Asbill Named as Superintendent of Bolivar School District
Dr. Asbill completed his Masters and Specialist degree in Educational Administration at MSU. More information:
https://www.ky3.com/2021/01/26/bolivar-school-district-names-new-superintendent/
Marty Marsh Awarded SW Athletic Director of the Year
Marty Marsh is a graduate of Greenwood Laboratory School and completed the Specialist in Education, Educational Administration at MSU. More information:
ATLL Workshops
The ATLL will continue to provide virtual training…Read more…
Meetings/Events
Continuous Improvement Seminars
(All will be held via Zoom)
- Fri, Feb. 26 – 10-12 pm
- Fri, March 12 – 10-12 pm
- Fri, April 23 – 10-12 pm
- Fri, May 7 – 10-12 pm
President’s Day Holiday
- Monday, Feb. 15 – University Closed
COE Alumni Initiative
Click the picture below to learn more: