College of Education News

Archives for April 2023

Missouri State University will connect young people across regions with support from the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative

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The Stevens Initiative announced Missouri State University is one of 15 schools, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations to receive funding to run virtual exchange programs that connect young people in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  

Missouri State’s Global Teacher Education Exchange brings new and future K-12 educators from Libya, Morocco and the United States into a vibrant professional learning community where they engage in cross-cultural collaboration and prepare to teach for global understanding. 

About MSU’s teacher exchange program 

Global Teacher Education Exchange is implemented by Missouri State and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute. 

Missouri State’s Global Teacher Education Exchange integrates virtual exchange into teacher preparation programs in Libya, Morocco and the United States. Through the exchange, new and future educators from a variety of backgrounds engage with each other on local and global issues in K-12 education.  

With their cohorts from other countries, they learn to teach for global understanding, and they create and share educational resources about their countries and cultures. As a result, participants enter their careers with experiences in cross-cultural collaboration and with stronger pedagogical skills. 

“It’s thrilling to watch future educators from different cultures learn with and from each other. It’s clear that they want to teach for global understanding, and we’re honored to be a part of their journey,” said Dr. Jennice McCafferty-Wright, Global Teacher Education Exchange coordinator and education professor at MSU. 

McCafferty-Wright and Dr. Minor Baker, the exchange’s project director and education professor at MSU, will soon travel to North Africa to begin working with Moroccan teacher trainers.  

About Stevens Initiative 

The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from diverse places together to collaborate and connect through everyday technology. Created in 2015 as a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the Initiative invests in virtual exchange programs, shares research, resources and promising practices to improve impact and advocates for broader adoption.   U.S. flag, U.S. logo, Stevens Initiative logo, Aspen Institute logo, MSU logo.

Learn more about the grant 

Two counseling alumni help the Springfield community

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Missouri State University alumni Gen Nelson and Sandy Parisi have used their education to improve the mental health of others.

After completing master’s degrees in counseling at Missouri State, the duo secured careers as mental health professionals.

“It’s been a long time since they were students here, but I can tell you that they both stood out as great counselors and hard workers,” said Robin Farris, clinic director for MSU’s Center City Counseling Clinic (CCCC).

Nelson and Parisi presented at CCCC’s sold out spring clinic workshops on April 14.

About the graduates

Nelson is a former school counselor and is currently the program director of the Lost and Found Grief Center. She also served on the board of directors for the Missouri School Counselor Association and the American School Counselor Association.

The Springfield Business Journal selected her as one of their 40 under 40 for 2023. For her fundraising opportunity, she raised money for the Springfield Public Schools Foundation.

Parisi has over nine years of experience working as a mental health professional. She was a residential therapist, an outpatient therapist and worked in leadership roles.

She is currently an EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) psychotherapist at Beyond Healing Center and a licensure supervisor at Burrell Behavioral Health.

Q&A with Nelson and Parisi

When did you graduate from MSU?

Nelson: I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2010 and a Master of Science in Counseling in 2013.

Parisi: I graduated in 2008 with my Bachelor of Social Work and then in 2014 with my Master of Science in Counseling.

What is the most fulfilling part of your career?

Nelson: Two things stand out to me the most. First, pouring into others the way so many people have poured into me. I am the product of many giving hearts who nurtured me from childhood to who I am today. The “pay it forward” concept rings true for many of us in this career, so knowing my work matters is by far the most fulfilling aspect of it all.

Second, the professional relationships and friendships I have formed along the way. No one understands the work like someone else in the field. The counseling community as a whole is quick to support and empower each other. Many colleagues over the years have become dear friends.

Parisi: The most fulfilling part of my career is serving people. It is my greatest privilege to join humans on their healing journey.

How has MSU helped you find success in your career?

Nelson: My education and preparation for my counseling career was topnotch. There are always unexpected aspects of the job, but I felt immensely prepared as I entered the field.

For example, during my first year as a school counselor, one of my students died unexpectedly. My principal at the time looked at me and said, “I’ve never had this happen before. What do we do?” And because I had been extensively trained in the school counseling crisis response plan, I was able to use that training to confidently navigate a challenging time for our school.

Additionally, the professors I had continue to be incredible mentors and cheerleaders all these years later. I have reached out to many of them over my career for insight and guidance and have been met every time with wisdom, support and unending encouragement.

Parisi: MSU has raised me. My professors in my master’s program really helped me to excel in my career as a licensed professional counselor.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at MSU or in your career you’d like to share?

Parisi: I have two favorite memories. First, going to the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision conference in Denver, Colorado, and presenting with Drs. Leslie Anderson (professor of counseling), Paul Blisard (former associate professor of counseling) and Lyle Foster (assistant professor of sociology and anthropology).

Second, being a fly on the wall at Blissard’s retirement gathering at Andersons’ place. I got to hear lots of stories about the history of our counseling program at MSU, which was such an inspiration and privilege.

Explore counseling at MSU

Congratulations, Dr. Lewis

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The research of Dr. Kayla Lewis has been selected for the 2023 issue of Mind’s Eye, a Missouri State University research publication. Lewis is an associate professor of literacy. 

Her research delves into how children’s books can help combat misinformation and educate the youth about Native American heritage.   

The following is an excerpt from the story:   

The lack of proper education about native heritage contributes to racism and reinforces stereotypes.   

“Children’s books can help combat these issues by providing an outlet for teachers to honor, support and teach native heritage,” Lewis said.   

“They can also help preserve endangered indigenous languages.”   

She partnered with her former professor and longtime friend, Dr. Sarah Nixon, another MSU literacy professor. Together, they curated a collection of books for teachers to use in their curriculum.   

The duo evaluated 95 children’s books from their personal and local libraries. The books were fiction or non-fiction written by or about Native Americans.   

Read the full article online 

Beyond stories and pictures

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Native American heritage is often misunderstood and mistaught, according to Dr. Kayla Lewis, associate professor of literacy at Missouri State University.

The lack of proper education about native heritage contributes to racism and reinforces stereotypes. Children’s books can be a powerful tool to combat these issues.

“Children’s books provide an outlet for teachers to honor, support and teach native heritage,” said Lewis, a member of the Chickasaw Nation. “They can also help preserve endangered indigenous languages.”

Children’s books for change

Children’s books can help kids learn valuable life skills. This could include the ability to talk about culturally sensitive subjects.

“Part of my work is teaching others how to ask questions and talk about these often-taboo topics,” Lewis said. “People can be so worried about offending others that they avoid conversations altogether.”

But these conversations are necessary to combat stereotypes and learn about others.

“We’ll see kids grow up not afraid to talk about these things. They’ll be more understanding, accepting and willing to be the agents of change we need.”

Children’s books also expose kids to different cultures, especially in schools that lack diversity.

“Exposure to a variety of cultures is crucial to create an accepting and educated society,” Lewis said.

The search for honest books

Unfortunately, many children’s books do not portray Native Americans accurately.

“So many books depict Native Americans with the same stereotypical characteristics and misconceptions. Meanwhile, they ignore the unique customs and traditions of over 550 federally recognized tribes.”

Lewis wanted to curate a list of accurate Native American books for teachers to use in their curriculum.

She partnered with her former professor and longtime friend, Dr. Sarah Nixon, another MSU literacy professor.

The duo evaluated 95 high-quality children’s books from their personal and local libraries. The books were fiction or non-fiction written by or about Native Americans.

They found a majority would be approved for classroom use.

One of her favorite books they analyzed is, “We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know” by Tracy Sorrell.

“I love this book because it teaches about our true history and shows Native Americans as we are in the present day,” she said. “It shows that even though all these cruelties happened to us, we are still here.”

Lewis hopes the books they identified will provide a better understanding of native heritage for children.

Learn more in Mind’s Eye