College of Education News

College of Education alumni recognized as outstanding beginning teachers

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Being a beginner at anything can be difficult. For beginners Kaitlin Voss and Marcus Bullard, alumni of Missouri State’s education program, there was no shortage of difficulties as they began their teaching careers.  

Their hard work to overcome the many challenges they face as teachers is not going unnoticed. Bullard and Voss have both been recognized as Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) 2021 Outstanding Beginning Teachers. 

Voss graduated in 2019 with her bachelor’s in education of the deaf and hard of hearing and in 2020 with her master’s in the education of deaf and hard of hearing. She is currently a third-grade teacher at the Kansas School for the Deaf.  

Bullard graduated in 2019 with his bachelor’s in elementary education and in 2020 with his master’s in educational technology. He is currently a second-grade teacher at Westport Elementary.  

Q&A with outstanding beginning teachers 

Both teachers shared details about their careers, offered helpful advice for the classroom and relayed pleasant memories from their time at Missouri State:  

What was the most challenging aspect as you began teaching?  

Voss: Figuring out what works best for each of my students is definitely the biggest challenge. And, of course, COVID has been an added struggle, but if I can get that done in my first year, then I guess the rest will be a breeze. 

Bullard: Navigating through a new school, learning things about curriculum, managing student conflict and helping students have productive conversations with each other were probably my biggest challenges. Coming from MSU, I felt prepared with being creative, and I had strategies that I could use. In your first year of teaching, you learn a whole different set of strategies. Going into a school, you kind of have an idea of how the school works, but you don’t truly know the culture of the school or how the students function day to day.  

How were you able to overcome those challenges as a new teacher?  

Voss: Talking with other teachers. Thankfully, I have such a great support system – teachers, my principal – they’re all amazing. Also, I ask my kids. I honestly rely on them because they know themselves. Having them as an active participant in trying to figure everything out definitely helps.   

Bullard: Last year I was in a team of four teachers teaching in the second grade. Having them as a support system was a huge deal for me. I learned  that it’s okay to lean on other people. You’re not in this teaching world alone. So, seeing all these positive role models influenced my own teaching. 

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher?  

Voss: Just seeing their faces – like when we came back from spring break – and seeing those lightbulb moments and the little connections that they make is so rewarding. It makes the challenges all worth it.   

Bullard: The most rewarding thing is being able to be a positive role model for my kids.  

Elementary Program Coordinator, Dr. Stefanie Livers and Dr. Minor Baker make a congratulatory visit to Mr. Marcus Bullard in his classroom at Westport K-8 school

What is one thing that you learned while at MSU that has paid off to know as you began your career in education?  

Voss: MSU did a great job of readying me for this diverse group of students with skills like utilizing your visuals, acting things out and making it as engaging as possible. Also, we have a preschool at Missouri State in Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall. That was probably my favorite experience, just to be able to have that connection right there: you sit in class, you learn and then you walk downstairs, and you get to apply it to real life. 

Bullard: My focus was educational technology for my graduate degree, so having a background in how to facilitate learning online was definitely a big help. With COVID, it was scary because we didn’t know when we were going to see our kids again or how we were going to be effective teachers. If I didn’t have those classes, I wouldn’t have been able to be successful with virtual learning. 

What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Missouri State?  

Voss: Being able to see the deaf community in action was probably the coolest experience – just going to the mall for a chat or to a coffee shop to hang out. We also had a big picnic together with people who are deaf and hard of hearing in Springfield and surrounding areas – one in the fall and one in the spring. So, yeah, MSU was the greatest experience I could have ever asked for in a college, and not just in my program, but in the Springfield community.  

Bullard: One of my favorite memories was the first night – meeting people that I know will probably be in the rest of my life. I lived in a Living Learning Community (LLC) and there was a night at the rec center where LLC students could mix and mingle. Without MSU, I wouldn’t have the little close-knit group of friends that I have. I’m in Springfield and they’re in St. Louis and we still talk every day.   

Uplifting others through music

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Nothing can break the stride of Missouri State University alumnus Matthew Ketteman, Lee’s Summit’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.  

The Longview Farm Elementary music teacher, Ketteman recently created a back-to-school video for students. To the tune of artist Matthew Wilder’s 1983 hit, “Break My Stride,” Ketteman inspires pupils “to keep on movin’,” despite uncertainty surrounding education in the time of a pandemic.  

“This message has spread across Kansas City and beyond to encourage educators and students who are struggling through their back to school transitions,” Ketteman said. “It’s been wonderful seeing people react to the positive message we collaborated to create — even Governor Parson was uplifted.” 

Terrific teacher

Ketteman learned in July that he was selected to receive Lee’s Summit’s highest honor for teachers, according to the district’s website. He later applied to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the 2021 State Teacher of the Year award. He was selected as one of seven finalists in August.  

Ketteman has since reached out to people and organizations that guided him throughout his career, he said. 

“My hope of reaching out to MSU is to encourage and thank the university for its excellent education and experiences,” Ketteman said. “It allowed me to prepare for this amazing occupation of bringing joy to children through music.”  

A collaborative effort 

Ketteman additionally recognized three MSU alumni who helped create and made appearances in his video. Shawn Harrel is a 2000 music education graduate and a digital media technology instructor for Lee’s Summit. Brandon Johnson is a 2003 music education graduate and the assistant director of bands for Lee’s Summit West High School.  

Ketteman also thanked his wife, Kimberly Ketteman, a 2005 communications graduate. Ketteman said his wife was heavily involved with him in helping found MSU’s a cappella groups, Beartones and A Cub Bella.  

 

Matthew Ketteman and his wife, Kim, during their Missouri State days.
Matthew and Kimberly Ketteman met during their days at Missouri State.

“We have not lived in Springfield since college, but it still feels like home whenever we return to visit,” Ketteman said.  

Ketteman thanked Missouri State for playing a vital part in his career. 

“As educators, we often don’t get to see the fruition of what we do,” he said. “What you do impacts the world. Thank you for being such a large part of mine.” 

A committee held virtual interviews with each Missouri Teacher of the Year finalist Sept. 1, according to the DESE website. The winner, finalists, semifinalists and Regional Teachers of the Year will be honored during an Oct. 15 event. The new Missouri Teacher of the Year will serve as the state’s nominee for the 2021 National Teacher of the Year.