Missouri State University is proud to welcome a strong group of new students into the Ozarks Teacher Corps (OTC), a program created to support future educators who are committed to teaching in rural Ozarks communities. This year’s cohort includes several MSU students who bring enthusiasm, service-minded goals, and a passion for teaching in districts that need them most.

The new students in the program are:

• McKenzie Furr, a 2021 graduate of Branson High, currently studying at Missouri State University;
• Jeremy Graham, a 2022 graduate of Marshfield High, currently studying at Missouri State University;
• Rosa Hester, a 2022 graduate of Bloomfield High, currently studying at Missouri State University;
• Kenna Humble, a 2023 graduate of Ozark High, currently studying at Missouri State University;
• Lillyan Johnson, a 2024 graduate of Charleston High, currently studying at Missouri State University;
• Makayla Karr, a 2019 graduate of West Plains High, currently studying at Missouri State University;
• Hannah Phillips, a 2024 graduate of Marionville High, currently studying at Missouri State University.

Photos courtesy of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO).

About the Ozarks Teacher Corps

The Ozarks Teacher Corps is a long-running initiative supported by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, which also provides the scholarship opportunity that makes the program possible. Its mission is simple but powerful:

• support students preparing for careers in rural teaching,
• strengthen local schools across the Ozarks, and
• invest in future educators who want to return to their home communities.

Members of OTC participate in training, leadership development, community projects, and networking events with rural school leaders. In return, they commit to teaching for at least three years in a rural district after graduation.

About This Incoming Cohort

This year’s cohort includes students majoring in elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, and other teaching fields. Most of the new participants are MSU students, reflecting the College of Education’s strong partnership with rural districts and its ongoing commitment to preparing teachers for the communities where they are most needed.

Rhonda Bishop, Director of the Center for Rural Education, shared her excitement about the growth of the program and MSU’s role in it.

“We are so excited so many MSU students are participating! I think we do an excellent job at MSU promoting the scholarship and highlighting the value of the training students receive. Our students are genuinely excited to engage in the place-based education training provided by Teton Science Schools.”

This group represents:

• students from across southwest Missouri,
• a wide range of teaching interests,
• a shared commitment to serving rural schools, and
• deep ties to their hometowns and communities.

Why the Ozarks Teacher Corps Matters

Rural schools across Missouri, and the country, face persistent teacher shortages. Programs like OTC help address these gaps by preparing educators who not only understand rural communities, but want to serve them long-term.

Bishop emphasizes the significance of OTC’s mission:

“The Ozarks Teacher Corps matters because it supports students who want to teach in rural communities. Many of our MSU students come from rural areas, and this program connects students who have the same goals. Rural schools often struggle to find teachers, so helping students feel prepared and excited to return to those communities makes a real difference.”

Many students selected this year have personal connections to rural schools, former teachers, or hometown mentors who inspired them to pursue teaching, making their commitment to return and serve especially meaningful.

Opportunities for Students

Throughout the program, OTC members take part in:

• professional development sessions,
• service projects within rural communities,
• leadership training,
• opportunities to connect with educators and administrators in partner districts, and
• annual gatherings and cohort activities.

These experiences help students build a deeper understanding of rural education and prepare them for careers in schools where strong, committed teachers make an enormous difference.

Celebrating the New Cohort

The College of Education looks forward to supporting these students as they begin their journey with the Ozarks Teacher Corps. Their dedication to rural education reflects the broader mission of MSU’s educator preparation programs, meeting community needs through service, experience, and student-centered learning.

Bishop notes that the growth of the cohort each year speaks to both student enthusiasm and strong support from partners:

“What really stands out to me is how this group keeps growing each year. We work hard in the College of Education and the Center for Rural Education to share these opportunities, but so much of the growth comes from students talking to each other and encouraging each other to apply.”

She adds that the Community Foundation of the Ozarks plays a crucial role in the program’s success:

“The impact is truly meaningful. We are very grateful the Community Foundation of the Ozarks sees the need for rural teachers and commits financial support and professional development for preservice teachers who are committed to rural education.”

The new cohort represents the next generation of rural educators and MSU is proud to help prepare them as they step into meaningful, community-focused careers.