College of Education News

Archives for August 2024

Dedicated educator honored for shaping young minds

by

For more than a decade, Missouri State University alumna Shannon Truitt has been positively impacting the lives of children — both as an elementary teacher and a school librarian. 

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) chose her as one of 34 Regional Teachers of the Year and one of 16 semifinalists for the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. 

“Teaching is hard work, but it’s also the best work,” Truitt said. “When I was nominated for this award, it made me feel appreciated, valued and important for the lives of my students.” 

Truitt currently works as a K-5 librarian at Spokane Elementary School in Highlandville. 

The superintendent of Spokane Public Schools and the principal of Spokane Elementary nominated Truitt for the Regional Teacher of the Year award. 

Balancing family and education 

Before beginning her teaching journey, Truitt was a student at Missouri State. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2008, then began her career at Forsyth Elementary School teaching kindergarten. 

In 2013, Truitt began the master’s program in literacy at Missouri State, while married with kids. At the same time, her husband began a master’s program too.  

It was no easy feat as graduate students with two young children. 

“Most nights we would say, ‘Who gets to do homework and who’s taking the kids?'” Truitt said.

But they made it through.  

Becoming a librarian 

In 2020, Truitt became the librarian at Spokane Elementary. Her motivation for becoming a librarian was simple: she wanted kids to experience the joys of reading. 

“I don’t know if it’s due to COVID-19 or due to generational changes, but students nowadays view reading in a negative way,” Truitt said. “It’s always tied to homework or worksheets. I want them to enjoy just listening to a story or doing an activity that’s not stressful.” 

For Truitt, her teaching philosophy is to be willing to try new things. 

“Philosophy-wise, I go by fictional teachers like Miss Frizzle: ‘Take chances, make mistakes, get messy.’”  

Learn more about the College of Education

Missouri State launches education doctorate

by

Education degree seeking students now have another option to pursue at Missouri State University.  

The university will offer the Doctor of Education in Leadership, Learning and Education Change beginning in fall 2025. This is the first doctoral degree offered by the College of Education. 

 “This degree is for individuals who want to assume leadership in not just schools, but also in universities and education-related nonprofits,” said Dr. Nicole West, the program’s director and an associate professor. “This degree is less about any particular educational institutional type, as it is about impacting and transforming education.” 

 “It is in direct alignment with the university’s public affairs mission to create culturally competent, ethical leaders who are community engaged. Developing this program is living out our mission in a tangible way.” 

Degree details 

The EdD is a part-time, seated and cohort-based program for education professionals. This 55-credit hour degree is designed to be completed in three years and will culminate in a dissertation-in-practice. It includes: 

  • A core curriculum of 25 credit hours 
  • A specialized area of interest of 18-28 credit hours 
  • Dissertation-related coursework of 12 credit hours  

“This curriculum was built with adult learners and working professionals in mind,” West said. “It can be tailored to each student’s specific interests and aspirations.”   

Applications for the first cohort of 15 will open Sept. 5.  

Carnegie Project  

With the program’s launch, the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate invited Missouri State to join its network of more than 135 institutional members that are redesigning professional practice preparation in education for the improvement of PK-20 education.   

CPED institution members are a network that stimulates each institution’s work and provides space for sharing, learning and providing feedback in a national dialogue.   

“The EdD is really its own degree. It’s a professional degree focused on enhancing educational systems and practices,” West said. “The Carnegie Project brings together institutions with similarly focused EdD programs and leverages their expertise to improve programs nationwide.”   

New members are chosen through a rigorous application process and evaluated by a membership committee comprising leaders of current CPED members.