College of Education News

MSU student participates in Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum

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Tyler Crane, an elementary education senior, was one of 80 collegiate students nominated to represent Missouri State University during the annual Missouri Governor’s Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values. 

It took place  Feb. 16-18, 2024, in Jefferson City, Missouri. 

The forum started in 1988 under the leadership of former Missouri Governor and 79th U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. 

 It challenges students’ character development by encouraging them to reflect on their own decision-making skills, values and belief systems. Students learn about how to reconcile relationships, stand for truth and love others as they love themselves. The forum’s guiding principle is teaching students to embrace altruism rather than egotism. 

“It was truly an honor to attend the forum. It focused on building relationships with student leaders from all across the state, and I met many amazing people,” Crane said.  

“Hearing from keynote speakers, such as Rebecca Welsh and Judge Pat Joyce, as well as inmates at the Jefferson City Correctional Center left me feeling inspired.” 

Forum highlights 

Gov. Mike Parson welcomed students of the forum with a meet and greet in his office, followed by an inspirational message from Welsh, founder of Halo, a mission that provides housing, healing and education to at-risk and homeless children. Students ended their time at the Capitol hearing from Missouri State Sen. Travis Fitzwater. 

Students also heard from several speakers who lead by example. A question-and-answer panel including Youssef Abdou, Natalia Chaing Breña, David Johnson, Bailey Stephen and Sadie Williams discussed the importance of community and relationships. Judge Joyce shared a message on redemption after the students’ tour of the Jefferson City Correctional Center. 

Kyrell and Michaela Newell, directors of St. Nicholas Academy, shared a message on servant leadership. Justin Campbell, regional director of YoungLife, concluded the forum, challenging students to consider their purpose in what they are aiming at.

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Little ripples make big impacts

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In her office, Amber Allen hangs up three maps: Missouri, the United States and the world.  

Allen, a Missouri State University alumna from Kansas City, Missouri, is a human development and family science field specialist at the University of Missouri Extension. While based in Springfield, she oversees 10 counties in the southwest Missouri region.  

She teaches in-person and virtual community education classes focused on stress management, childcare provider professional development, mental health, parenting, families and healthy aging. Participants have spanned from southwest Missouri to Canada and Japan. 

As a student at MSU, Allen interned with Community Partnership of the Ozarks. It was there she realized she wanted to work in community-based education as a profession. 

Allen finished her bachelor’s degree in child and family development in 2013. She furthered her studies with a master’s degree in nonprofit and civic leadership from Drury University. She is now pursuing her doctorate in education in educational leadership and policy analysis at the University of Missouri. 

Allen said Missouri State laid the foundation for her success — not only on the theory side of things, but also for the research and application skills she uses daily. 

Community education and social change 

Allen loves “connecting the dots.”  She does this by connecting individuals to classes or communities to opportunities. This is where her three maps come into play.   

“What I do here in southwest Missouri can affect the whole state. What is happening in Missouri can also make an impact across the country,” Allen said.   

“One thing you do, even as a student, can impact so many more than you know. Educating one individual or doing one family education event can create lasting change,” she said.  

These “little ripples” are key to the prevention-based education Allen champions. Often, her research focuses on stress management and mental health.   

As a certified family life educator and advanced prevention specialist, Allen shares her knowledge with field professionals. Through her classes, she can spread evidence and research-based education to the entire world. 

Advice for students

Allen has two main pieces of advice for students interested in her field: “Expect the unexpected” and “never take for granted a sticky note.”   

As a student, Allen struggled with finding an internship she felt was right for her. She spoke to one of her professors, who scribbled a phone number and a name on a sticky note. From this sticky note, she found an internship where she met many of her colleagues. The first steps to her current position started with an email address written on a napkin.  

“Those unexpected moments can set the trajectory of your career path,” Allen said. 

Because of this, she recommends getting to know classmates in your field. Allen believes many Missouri State students “bloom where planted.” Connections made in a simple group project can be a lifelong networking link for those who stay in the area. 

These local connections and opportunities spread outward. Allen has been a speaker at both the state and national level, most recently presenting a webinar on Guidance for Family Practitioners to Manage Stress for the National Council on Family Relations. Each new opportunity is another pin on her three maps. 

Taking the next steps 

If you told freshman Allen of her current successes, she would not believe you. But as she completed her degree, that mindset changed. MSU professors sharing their experiences showed Allen post-bachelor’s education was an exciting prospect. 

She said her mentors at Missouri State pushed her to take the next steps in education. Now, she is completing her doctoral program. 

According to Allen, the little ripples of opportunity she found at Missouri State have shaped her career. Through her work, she is able to help improve the well-being of individuals and families.

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Dr. Nicole West featured in Mind’s Eye

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Join us in congratulating Dr. Nicole West on her feature story in the 2024 issue of Mind’s Eye magazine. West is associate professor and assistant director for the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies at Missouri State University.  

Her research focuses on studying and creating safe spaces for women on college campuses, a term she coined as “professional counterspaces.” 

Congratulations Dr. West!

The full story is now available online. 

Excerpt:

Universities should be a safe place where students, faculty and staff feel comfortable. Black women, however, often face isolation, underrepresentation and marginalization.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in fall 2020, Black women comprised less than 5% of faculty, 10% of student affairs administrators and 9% of students at degree-granting institutions in the U.S.  

West is one of only seven tenured Black women professors at Missouri State.

A job shift (from a university administrator to faculty) left West searching for a new community of colleagues. She was inspired to keep studying and creating safe spaces for women on college campuses, a term she coined as “professional counterspaces.” 

A cross between a professional development program and a support group, professional counterspaces benefit marginalized individuals, like Black women in higher education, academically, professionally and personally. 

READ THE FULL STORY

MSU education student receives a Citizen Scholar Award

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From Buffalo, Missouri, Tyler Crane is a first-generation education student at Missouri State University.  

“My passion for teaching began at a very young age. I was inspired by the incredible teachers I had while growing up,” she said. “Their influence shaped who I am today.” 

Crane chose MSU for its proximity to home, its affordability and its teacher preparation program. 

“I wanted to attend a college where my passion for teaching could flourish, and MSU has exceeded my expectations,” she said. 

Crane is part of the accelerated master’s program for elementary education. She will graduate in spring 2024 with a bachelor’s degree. She will also have completed half of a master’s degree. 

She is the recipient of a 2034-24 Citizen Scholar Award, the highest award available to MSU students. 

Bears Teach Elementary 

Crane is the president and former secretary of Bears Teach Elementary (BTE), a student organization at MSU for elementary education majors.  

BTE hosts meetings for students to socialize and support one another. They also have guest speakers give presentations about various topics in the education field.  

As president, Crane collaborates with faculty advisors and the executive board to plan and facilitate meetings, manage the BTE calendar, delegate responsibilities among board members and coordinate with guest speakers. 

“My experience in Bears Teach Elementary has been so meaningful and fulfilling. Working with future educators in a community that shares my dedication and enthusiasm is inspiring,” she said. “In a profession as challenging as teaching, having a supportive community is so important.” 

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Experience as a first-gen college student 

Crane appreciates the sense of community at MSU.  

“As a first-generation college student, I was surprised to be met with the incredible sense of community within my program. I never expected to form such close bonds with my professors,” Crane said.  

“Building relationships with students is undoubtedly emphasized throughout the elementary education program, and my professors have set a great example of that.” 

Her favorite part about the program is the hands-on experience through classroom placements. She will have around 200 hours of classroom experience prior to student teaching.  

“That experience is invaluable,” Crane said. “I cherish the opportunities to work closely with students and teachers, shaping my growth as an educator.” 

Bettering the future of education 

After Crane graduates, she wants to teach at a local elementary school. She also envisions herself mentoring future teachers. 

In addition to her master’s, she wants to earn certificates in curriculum and instruction and gifted and talented education. She may pursue a doctorate in the distant future.  

“These ambitions come from my gratitude for my education at MSU, an institution that has not only equipped me with the skills to teach but also inspired me to contribute to the future of education.” 

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COE outreach alumna named Head Start director for the region

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Missouri State University alumna Angie Kinder has worked for Ozark Action for 15 years.  

She started as a parent/teacher assistant in 2008, then began her journey working for Ozark Action’s Head Start as a teacher in 2009.  

“I fell in love with the Head Start program and enrolled in an education program at MSU so I could make helping families my career,” she said.  

Kinder graduated with a bachelor’s degree in child and family development (CFD) in 2017. She completed her degree through the outreach program in her hometown of West Plains.  

This fall, she became the director of Head Start for the region. She works at a location in West Plains.  

Making lasting impacts on families 

Head Start provides children with a safe and nurturing learning environment. They provide hands-on, play-based learning and family engagement experiences.  

As the director, Kinder leads over 100 staff members across six counties to ensure they implement comprehensive, quality early childhood education services. She also develops program goals and design options, as well as budgets. 

Kinder’s role fulfills her passion for helping families. 

“Head Start reminds me daily that it only takes one caring adult to help a child. When a whole system comes together to support not only the child but the entire family, the outcomes can be life changing,” she said.  

“I’ve seen a lot of families gain confidence and achieve so many goals while in our program. I love running into families we served over 10 years ago and they still remember how we helped them.”   

Seeking guidance from others 

The CFD program gave Kinder hands-on experience in early childhood settings.  

“These experiences allowed me to apply what I was learning to real situations and gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to enter the classroom,” she said.  

As a working mother, Kinder said the flexibility of the outreach program and support from faculty helped her succeed at MSU.  

“Brenda Smith and Renee Keith were amazing advisors and mentors. I could sit down with them anytime I had questions. They walked me through the entire process and reassured me when I felt overwhelmed,” Kinder said. 

She encourages others to build similar relationships with their advisors.  

“Don’t be afraid to share your concerns and struggles with your advisors. They’re there to support and guide you. They want to see you succeed and can help you develop a plan that works for you.” 

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