College of Education News

Building a support network for LGBTQ teacher candidates

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“As a lesbian and an educator, who taught in Arkansas K-12 schools, I have experienced first-hand many of the challenges facing our LGBTQ teacher candidates,” said Dr. Stephanie Huffman.

She lists challenges like acceptance, identity, K-12 school community supports, misconceptions, bias and religious beliefs as among the most prevalent.

Huffman, department head of the reading foundations and technology department at Missouri State University, is a member of the College of Education Diversity Taskforce and a leader of the LGBTQ+ Advocacy subcommittee.

These groups strive to create an inclusive environment for all.

“It came to our attention that a support system needed to be developed and implemented for LGBTQ teacher candidates, especially during teaching internships,” Huffman said. “These challenges can make an already stressful time that much more challenging.”

Building the network

The LGBTQ+ Advocacy subcommittee is developing the support system for roll out in fall 2021. Through the COE Advising Center, students will have support through:

  • An allied database of area educators and school districts to assist with field placements.
  • A COE LGBTQ+ student organization.
  • Mentoring.

But this is just the beginning, Huffman notes.

“In addition, my door is open to any LGBTQ student.,” Huffman said.

Other supports will be added throughout the 2021-22 academic year.

“These supports will create an open and supportive environment in which LGBTQ teacher candidates can openly express who they are while growing as future teachers,” she said. “Our goal is to develop strong, talented and caring teachers for Missouri schools.”

 

Problem solving and a passion for helping others

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Mathematics may not seem like it goes hand-in-hand with becoming a therapist, but Jamie Cayley knows he can put his problem-solving skills to good use by helping others.  

In addition to his master’s in mathematics, Cayley is working toward a Student Mental Health, Family and Community Support Graduate Certificate to help him prepare for MSU’s clinical psychology graduate program.  

Cayley’s aspirations and activism were recently featured in MSU’s mathematics blog.  

Click to read the full story  

MSU students nominated as 2021 Teachers of Tomorrow

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Students in the College of Education at Missouri State always seek experiential learning opportunities. Now, two students in the special education program will take a closer look at the skills and attitudes that are needed to be teachers of students who are blind and visually impaired. 

Kelsey Bink and Anne Chambers, graduate students in special education blindness and low vision emphasis, have been nominated for the 2021 Teachers of Tomorrow program.  

Nominees will participate in a training program for teachers of blind and visually impaired students. The program will address the needs of and teach advocacy for students with blind and low vision in and out of the classroom.  

Read the Full Story 

The National Federation of the Blind describes Teachers of Tomorrow as “An immersive, professional development program that connects teachers of students who are blind and low vision to the lived experiences of blind people, equipping participants with knowledge about the skills and attitudes that can help students who are blind thrive in school and beyond.” 

The training program began in January 2021 and will continue throughout the year.  

Find out more about the National Federation of the Blind and Teachers of Tomorrow  

A father’s influence

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Missouri State University graduate student John Augustine grew up in the small town of Farmington, Missouri. There, he watched a role model—his own father—work as principal of an at-risk school.  

“He started his career as a special education teacher and later moved to administration,” Augustine said. “I specifically remember how connected he was to his students. He understood them, communicated effectively with them and provided them a positive educational experience.” 

His father made such an influence that Augustine found himself working with students in special education settings, too.  

“My father helped me understand how important it is to be a positive light in the classroom,” Augustine said.  

Augustine is now on track to receive a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in autism spectrum disorders. Augustine’s pursuit of an additional autism spectrum disorders graduate certificate will bolster his expertise. 

“I love working in a school setting,” Augustine said. “My career goal is to consult schools and special education teachers to determine effective interventions for students with autism.” 

Real world practice 

Life as a graduate student at Missouri State gives Augustine just the experience he needs to follow in his father’s footsteps. On top of schoolwork, Augustine also works in an MSU-based clinic managed by Dr. Megan Boyle, associate professor of the counseling, leadership and special education department.  

At the clinic, Augustine takes on roles such as data-collector and therapist, implementing evidence-based practices to increase or decrease certain behaviors in students with autism.  

“Dr. Boyle does a great job in preparing students for their future in a clinical setting and teaching the importance of each task we complete,” Augustine said. “This is the type of job that requires you to learn. I hope to expand my knowledge to effectively implement strategies in my career.” 

John Augustine holds a toy firetruck for students at the clinic.
Augustine holds a toy truck children interact with at the clinic.

Resume boost 

Learning experiences in Augustine’s program don’t stop there. Students are also granted the option to study Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).  

Augustine said confirmation by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board will further enhance his resume.  

“If I’m able to accrue all my hours of study and pass a certification test, it will give me more opportunities to analyze data and make recommendations to improve target behaviors.” Augustine said. “I could change the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder or other disabilities.” 

Augustine is currently completing his thesis alongside Dr. Linda Garrison-Kane, another special education professor.  

“He has pursued numerous research and clinical opportunities during his undergraduate and graduate degree,” Garrison-Kane said. “His thesis focuses on the use of ICONNECT, a self-management technology application to assist in improving on-task academic behaviors in students with autism. 

Augustine hopes the technology will improve students’ academic accuracy across assignments. 

Empowered professional 

Augustine often thinks back on the role his father played in students’ lives.  

“Students who attended his school were in foster care or had been expelled from the other schools in the district,” Augustine said. “Although many did not have great home lives or a lot to look forward to, my father saw the capability of each student to progress in school and enjoy their education.” 

Augustine hopes to one day be as great of an influence.  

“I am trying to follow in his footsteps and create a better life for students—and maybe even one day change the world in some positive way.” 

Education, diversified

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The world of education is extremely diverse. No two students share the same background, culture and experiences. As a result, each can benefit from the perspectives of their peers. 

The College of Education aims to effectively teach culturally-diverse students—and prepare teacher candidates to do the same.  

“Diversity strengthens our community and enriches our lives,” COE Dean David Hough said. “It undergirds our many teacher preparation programs as we strive to develop educators who can teach all children.” 

A Missouri State student teacher helps a student in this 2017 photo.
A Missouri State student teacher helps a student in this 2017 photo.

Diversity initiatives 

Several COE diversity initiatives are in place to continue building a culturally-competent experience for pupils to come.  

  • Bear Partnership seeks to increase the number of COE students from underrepresented backgrounds. Last year, 17 students attended the week-long campus residential program. This summer, 29 students were scheduled to attend. Due to the pandemic, however, it could not take place.   
  • A recruiter in Mobile, Alabama, engages Black high school students to consider MSU for studying education.  
  • Dean Hough regularly travels to the University of Arkansas, Little Rock; the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff; the University of Memphis; Alabama State University; and the University of South Alabama, in an effort to recruit diverse faculty. The diverse faculty recruitment rate improved by 33% in the last six years.  
  • COE regularly finances six to eight faculty members to participate in a St. Louis diversity conference every year. 

Further details regarding COE’s diversity initiatives can be found on the Missouri State website.  

A Missouri State practicum student visits with high-schoolers in this 2017 photo.
A Missouri State practicum student visits with high-schoolers in this 2017 photo.

Faculty engagement 

Conversations surrounding diversity don’t stop there.  

Dr. Nathan Quinn is a senior instructor for the counseling, leadership and special education department—and part of MSU’s Educator Preparation Provider Council (EPPC). The council ensures education programs at the university meet state and national guidelines in preparing qualified school personnel.  

As chairperson for the EPPC’s diversity subcommittee, Quinn leads a team in examining diversity issues within the education department.  

“I believe we’re doing a good job, but we need to increase our diverse students within the College of Education,” Quinn said. “It’s a matter of continuing to identify those students to come to our university.”  

Dr. Dennis Rudnick, assistant professor in the reading, foundations and technology department, teaches Introduction to Multicultural Education. It’s a course requirement for MSU teacher candidates. Rudnick says the course plays an important role in diversity issues in education. 

“Its goal is to enable future teachers to become more aware of and responsive to these complex dynamics underlying education in the United States,” Rudnick said. “In return, they can best advocate for the students, schools and communities they will serve as professionals.” 

Dr. Elizabeth King, assistant professor in the child and family development department, added the college’s efforts to increase diversity requires continuous engagement.  

“If we’re doing it right, it’s not an initiative,” King said. “It’s sustained, active work in every space we hold.”