COE Alumni Archives - College of Education News

MSU graduates recognized as Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow

May 31, 2023 by Savannah A. Keller

Three Missouri State University graduates earned the 2023 Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow distinction by Missouri Milken Educators.

Victoria Dillon, Jessica Smith and Kira Vaughn were recognized because they are innovative educators who will positively impact the future of the profession.

They are among 10 inductees to receive the designation across the state.

All inductees will receive a year of coaching and mentorship and will have access to the Missouri Milken Educators network.

Victoria Dillon

Dillon graduated in December 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in special education. She is now a special education teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Liberty, Missouri.

She has advanced critical thinking skills and excels at working with students of diverse backgrounds, abilities and disabilities.

“She’s an intelligent and highly motivated individual. She has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages, especially at the elementary school level,” said Marie McAdams, her university supervisor for student teaching.

“Her ability to connect with her SPED students and her talent for teaching simple concepts are superior.”

Jessica Smith

Smith graduated in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She completed her student teaching at Weller Elementary and Central High School in Springfield.

She is meticulous in her preparation of content, pedagogical sequence and knowledge of students.

“Jessica plans and implements engaging lessons seemingly effortlessly,” said Vicky Scott, her university supervisor for student teaching. “She’s organized and self-motivated. Her sunny disposition draws students into her processes.”

Smith is now a music teacher at Bingham Elementary in Springfield.

Kira Vaughn

Vaughn graduated in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She completed her student teaching at John Thomas School of Discovery in Nixa, Missouri, as part of MSU’s Internship Academy program.

She excels as an intern because of her high student engagement, growth mindset, strong relationships with students and more.

“She’s sought out by others in the building to spend time in their classrooms,” said Sara Tipton, director of the Internship Academy program. “She’s an exceptional student teacher.”

Vaughn plans to stay in Missouri to teach in the fall.

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Two counseling alumni help the Springfield community

April 18, 2023 by Savannah A. Keller

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.

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MSU alumna awarded Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award

March 21, 2023 by Savannah A. Keller

Aimee Hendricks’ ability to help her students feel seen and cared for is one of many reasons she was recognized for her outstanding teaching.

Hendricks received one of two Outstanding Beginning Teacher Awards awarded to MSU alumni during the March 1-2 Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education conference.

“I feel truly honored to receive this award,” she said. “Educators everywhere are going above and beyond, and I have learned a lot within my first couple years of teaching.”

Hendricks graduated from Missouri State University in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Now, she is in her second year of teaching fourth grade at Daniel Young Elementary School in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Being the teacher students need

During her undergraduate studies, Hendricks learned about the value of teachers in students’ lives.

“MSU showed me that teaching is not just about academics,” she said. “As teachers, we are also cheerleaders, mentors, advocates and more. Some days, you have to put academics aside and focus on showing students they are loved.”

Hendricks’ favorite part of teaching is seeing the impact teachers can have on students.

“My former students will come by my classroom still and talk about things they remember us doing, from read alouds to hands-on projects,” she said. “It’s amazing to create memories with students they will always remember.”

Hendricks shows support for her students by attending their athletic events, music recitals and more.

“It’s such a unique experience to see kids outside of school using one of their many talents, and it also shows that you care about them,” she said.

Using her experience to help future educators

For the past two years, Hendricks has virtually visited future educators in Dr. Rhonda Bishop’s course, Introduction to Elementary Education.

“Aimee prepared and shared details about getting ready for the first day of school, setting up a classroom, parent communication and so much more,” said Bishop, assistant professor of childhood education and family studies at MSU.

She also helps future teachers understand the difficulties and challenges of teaching but assures them that being an educator is worth it.

“It has been an honor to watch Aimee grow from a student to a full-time educator. I appreciate her continued efforts to support future teachers by sharing her journey as a teacher,” Bishop said.

Hendricks is grateful for her experience with Bishop and others at Missouri State.

“I’m incredibly thankful to have gone to such an amazing university and have amazing mentors, professors and colleagues,” Hendricks said.

“Behind every impactful educator is a team building them up. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the best.”

Become a teacher at Missouri State

MSU alum awarded Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award

March 8, 2023 by Strategic Communication

Receiving a teaching award is gratifying, especially early in your career.

Missouri State University alum Brett Gilio began teaching on a provisional teaching license while simultaneously completing a master’s program in teaching.

During his second year of teaching, Gilio was awarded the 2023 Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award by the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). He received the award as part of the MACTE conference in Columbia, Missouri March 2-3.

“I feel deeply appreciative, as this award shows that people recognize the work I put into my students and the field of education,” Gilio said. “I’m deeply driven and always seeking to innovate and make the learning process meaningful and exciting.”

Journey to teaching

From Grain Valley, Missouri, Gilio spent his undergraduate time studying biology and chemistry, working both as a laboratory assistant for a research institute and in adolescent mental health.

This prompted his switch to education, joining the MSU Master of Arts in Teaching program, where he specialized in science education.

Now, he teaches general biology and earth science at William Chrisman High School in Independence, Missouri.

“My favorite thing about being a science educator is the freedom that it gives me to introduce real world and contemporary issues in the science classroom,” Gilio said. “This includes skills like design, engineering, inquiry and problem-solving that students can then use in any other discipline for the rest of their lives.

“Science is always relevant.”

Gilio will always remember those who helped him along the way.

“While at MSU, I was deeply connected with many fabulous educators who have supported me and cheered me on, such as Melanie Carden-Jessen, Dr. Julia Novakowski and Dr. Jamie Atkinson,” Gilio said. “I model my teaching style after these individuals.”

Gilio was nominated for this award by Carden-Jessen.

“Gilio has the manner, poise and skill of someone who has been in the classroom for a decade or more,” Carden-Jessen said. “He was an easy choice to nominate.”

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Taking the leap to follow her passion

October 7, 2022 by Savannah A. Keller

Alumna Brittnie Morrison, ‘21, started at Missouri State University as a pre-nursing major.

“As a first-generation student, everyone talked about how proud they were of me and how proud they were to say they were going to have a nurse in the family,” Morrison said.

But in her third semester, she realized that she lost her passion for nursing.

“I couldn’t help but feel like I was wasting my time and money working toward a goal I no longer cared about,” she said.

She contemplated dropping out of college, but her job at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield took her in an unexpected direction.

The switch to teaching

As the semester progressed, Morrison learned that she loved working with kids. Her job became her escape from the stresses of college.

“No matter how much stress I felt from my schoolwork, I always felt instant relief when I walked through the doors of the Boys & Girls Club,” she said. “That’s when I knew education was my calling.”

Morrison changed her major to elementary education and began classes in spring 2019.

“Once I changed my major, Missouri State became home,” she said. “I had my first practicum at York Elementary School. I walked out of the school and began crying because I knew I was in the right spot.”

Morrison said that the professors in the College of Education went out of their way to make every student feel like they belong.

“The passion they have for teaching is radiating,” she said. “There aren’t enough words to express how proud I am to be a bear.”

Back to her roots

Morrison completed her student-teaching and is now a fifth-grade teacher at the school district she went to for kindergarten through high school.

“The Raymore-Peculiar community helped raise me,” she said. “I have so many amazing memories from Peculiar Elementary as a student, and now I get to make more as a teacher.”

Teaching has been the most rewarding job she’s ever had. Her favorite part is building relationships with her students.

“That’s truly why I teach. If I can make a difference in just one child’s life, then I am happy.”

Morrison feels that her time at MSU prepared her to be a successful teacher.

“But it is tough. For anyone who is in an education program, I suggest they lean on their professors and peers,” she said. “They were always there for me when I needed clarification, and I am grateful for the experience.”

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