College of Education News

Dedicated educator honored for shaping young minds

by

For more than a decade, Missouri State University alumna Shannon Truitt has been positively impacting the lives of children — both as an elementary teacher and a school librarian. 

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) chose her as one of 34 Regional Teachers of the Year and one of 16 semifinalists for the 2025 Missouri Teacher of the Year award. 

“Teaching is hard work, but it’s also the best work,” Truitt said. “When I was nominated for this award, it made me feel appreciated, valued and important for the lives of my students.” 

Truitt currently works as a K-5 librarian at Spokane Elementary School in Highlandville. 

The superintendent of Spokane Public Schools and the principal of Spokane Elementary nominated Truitt for the Regional Teacher of the Year award. 

Balancing family and education 

Before beginning her teaching journey, Truitt was a student at Missouri State. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2008, then began her career at Forsyth Elementary School teaching kindergarten. 

In 2013, Truitt began the master’s program in literacy at Missouri State, while married with kids. At the same time, her husband began a master’s program too.  

It was no easy feat as graduate students with two young children. 

“Most nights we would say, ‘Who gets to do homework and who’s taking the kids?'” Truitt said.

But they made it through.  

Becoming a librarian 

In 2020, Truitt became the librarian at Spokane Elementary. Her motivation for becoming a librarian was simple: she wanted kids to experience the joys of reading. 

“I don’t know if it’s due to COVID-19 or due to generational changes, but students nowadays view reading in a negative way,” Truitt said. “It’s always tied to homework or worksheets. I want them to enjoy just listening to a story or doing an activity that’s not stressful.” 

For Truitt, her teaching philosophy is to be willing to try new things. 

“Philosophy-wise, I go by fictional teachers like Miss Frizzle: ‘Take chances, make mistakes, get messy.’”  

Learn more about the College of Education

COE alumnus earns Springfield Public Schools’ Rookie of the Year award

by

In his first career, Drew Irwin was an actor living in Los Angeles.  

But in his late 20s, the Marshfield, Missouri, native returned to the area and decided to become a teacher — a profession that runs in his family. Irwin’s passion for kids and their learning processes led him away from the stage and into the classroom.  

“The excitement kids have when they begin to understand what was extremely hard for them is an adrenaline rush to me,” Irwin said. 

Irwin moved back to Springfield in 2015 and married his wife in 2016. He began working full time at Best Buy to support his wife’s pursuit of her doctorate degree and taking classes to get his teaching certificate in 2021. 

According to Irwin, returning to school as an adult was intimidating, but the College of Education at Missouri State provided unmatched support for him.  

“There’s a strong community within the college,” Irwin said. “You go through classes with the same people and they all root for you and create a strong sense of belonging.”  

Participating in Future Educators

Irwin learned of the Future Educators program in one of his education classes, and he became part of its inaugural class in fall 2022. He credits the program for much of his success.  

It paves a path for students to become teachers and brings quality teachers to Springfield Public Schools (SPS). Students pursue an education program at Missouri State and upon graduation, they begin their teaching career at SPS. 

They receive financial aid, mentor support and additional teacher training. 

“The Future Educators program helped immensely with the financial burden of being an adult with a family trying to go back to school full time,” Irwin said.  

Becoming Rookie of the Year  

During his time in the Future Educators program, Irwin was mentored by Alicia Johnson, a first-grade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary. Irwin accepted a fourth-grade teaching job at Mark Twain in 2023.  

His family has a history of fourth grade teachers. 

“My aunt taught fourth grade for many years and so did my grandma, so it runs in the family,” Irwin said.  

In Irwin’s first year of teaching, he received SPS’ “Rookie of the Year” award, which honors a beginning teacher who builds meaningful connections with peers and gains critical skills. It is named after Disney Elementary teacher Malori McGhe, who died during her first year of teaching. 

In his acceptance speech at the Celebrate SPS event in April, Irwin thanked the teaching team he was a part of. He worked with Nicole Mccord and Rachel Dutton.  

“They gave me wise advice when I needed it, supported me in every way possible and made me an equal part of the team,” Irwin said. “But more than anything, they set the high bar for me to strive for.” 

Irwin also thanked his students and acknowledged what the year meant to him.  

“I, of course, need to thank my students for being patient, determined and trusting, and for learning that the Backstreet Boys are a crucial component of math instruction,” Irwin said. “It has been a surreal year watching my students grow, as I grew alongside them. This feels like a dream come true, because it is my dream come true.” 

Irwin will teach fifth grade in his second year as a full-time teacher at Mark Twain.   

Explore programs in the College of Education  

COE’s inaugural Scholarship Banquet recognizes students, donors and alumni

by

The College of Education (COE) gathered on campus on April 4 to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of the college and its members.  

Its inaugural Scholarship Banquet recognized scholarship winners, donors and faculty support.  

Fifty-three guests attended the banquet. Among them were Missouri State University President Clif Smart and his wife, Gail, Provost Dr. John Jasinski, Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn and Board of Governors student representative Bradley Cooper. 

During the event, COE Dean Dr. Barri Tinkler presented the college’s first Outstanding Alumni award to longtime educator Dr. Michael Fulton.  

Fulton’s impact on education 

Fulton received the award for his impact on schools in Missouri.  

Fulton attended Springfield Public Schools and graduated in 1982 from (then) Southwest Missouri State University with his bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Fulton also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Illinois State University and a doctorate in education from St. Louis University.  

He taught in both the Bloomington Public Schools District (Illinois) and Clayton School District (Missouri). He then served as an administrator in the Pattonville School District (Missouri) for 23 years, working as superintendent for the last 11 years. 

During his tenure, the school system gained recognition at state and national levels for academic achievement. For his leadership, Fulton was named Missouri Superintendent of the Year in 2016. 

In 2018, he took on the superintendent role at the Shawnee Mission School District (Kansas), where he served for three years until his retirement. 

But Fulton never stopped working toward a better future for education. After retiring, he led a statewide effort to create a network supporting Missouri public schools in using a competency-based mindset to personalize learning, ensuring every student is prepared for high school, college, career and the workplace. 

Along with a team of collaborators that included the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Fulton created the statewide Success-Ready Students Network (SSRN).  

The network now comprises 95 school districts and 25 educational agencies and universities. 

Tinkler acknowledged Fulton as a worthy recipient of the college’s first Outstanding Alumni award and the bright future of the SSRN. 

“Dr. Fulton has started a movement in K-12 education in the state. I believe this work will continue to grow and it’ll have a significant impact,” Tinkler said. 

For more information or to support SSRN in its goals, visit its website. 

Explore programs in the College of Education

Reaching great heights in teaching

by

For his leadership, professional contributions and school engagement, Missouri State University alumnus Cameron Branson has received the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau’s 2023 Distinguished Teacher of the Year award. 

The Jefferson City native has taught at St. Agnes Cathedral School in Springfield for 13 years. He is one of three teachers at St. Agnes to have received this prestigious award.  

“To be held in in the same regard as those excellent teachers caught me by surprise. It really means a lot to me,” Branson said. 

Finding his footing at Missouri State 

Branson first attended Missouri State in 2006. He had not decided on a major through his sophomore year. A defining moment for him was an experience through his fraternity organization, Sigma Phi Epsilon. 

“We had some younger guys not making their grades, and I saw most of them were not doing well in math,” Branson said.  

Though he had never previously considered math his calling, Branson started helping these younger students by tutoring them twice a week. He quickly found teaching an enjoyable experience. 

“It just kind of fell into my lap. I didn’t declare a major until literally the cutoff date. It was a divine intervention,” Branson said. 

He declared a middle school education major, with an emphasis on math and science. Later down the road, he returned to MSU in 2016 to complete a master’s degree in educational technology. 

Branson initially struggled in his undergraduate program, but many of his professors “saw the spark” in him and pushed him to achieve success.  

Faculty emeritus Dr. Larry Campbell told him, “You have so much potential, and you’re not reaching the levels I know you can.”  

This interaction impacted Branson. He has used those same words throughout his teaching career to encourage students who were struggling like he once did.  

Branson recalls his professors taking a personal interest in all of their students, even in large lecture classes. He has taken on this approach as a teacher. 

“I think that my professors leading by example helped me build those connections with the kids in my classes,” Branson said. 

At MSU, Branson participated in several student organizations. As part of Sigma Phi Epsilon, he was a member of the Greek Week committee and the Interfraternal Council.  

Branson was also a member of the Beartones, an all-male acapella group. In 2009, they placed third in the world at the International Championship of Collegiate Acapella in New York City. Branson described it as his most rewarding collegiate experience. 

Commitment to teaching 

Branson started teaching at St. Agnes when he was 23 years old. Most of his co–workers had been teaching for over 20 years, so he found himself surrounded by experienced professionals he could look up to. 

One of Branson’s goals is to be a role model for his students. When he was in school, he only had three male teachers before high school.  

“I think there needs to be more male teachers for elementary and middle school students. It’s important for students to see a positive male role model in their lives from preschool to eighth grade,” Branson said. 

He helps keep his students engaged with learning outside of the classroom by sponsoring extracurricular activities. He helped start St. Agnes’ FIRST Lego League Robotics team. Through this activity, students learn principles of engineering and robotics. The team has found great success. 

“Out of the seven or eight years we’ve been doing this, we’ve sent five teams to state,” Branson said. 

He is also the sponsor for the school’s MATHCOUNTS and Math Olympiad teams. Throughout the years, many of the teams have competed in state competitions.  

“We had a team that competed against Central Scholars (for highly gifted students) and finished in second place. To be up there with Central Scholars in anything is such an honor,” Branson said. 

He has also sponsored other clubs that students showed interest in, such as a Dungeons and Dragons club.  

“Anything the kids want to try and do, I’ll try to facilitate it for a couple years to see if it’s something that will stick,” Branson said. 

According to Branson, his favorite part about teaching is spontaneity. 

“In most jobs, you walk in at nine and leave at five. If your day deviates, it’s just by a little bit,” Branson said. “I have a plan every single day when I walk into the class, but who knows how that day is going to go?” 

Branson likes the consistency of knowing each day that he’s going to teach, but not what unexpected events will occur. 

He loves it when the kindergarten students walk by his classroom with bright and shining faces. He also enjoys unexpected visits from former students who are now in high school, who drop by to tell him the impact he had on them. 

“It makes life fresh every single day,” Branson said. 

Sharing some advice 

Branson encourages those interested in an education career to stick with it despite the adversities. 

“Education is in a really weird spot right now,” Branson said. “I’ve only been a teacher 13 years, but I’ve seen such drastic ebbs and flows.”  

He said he’s spoken to educators who have been teaching for more than 40 years, and they believe the biggest changes in education have happened in the past few years. 

“Education needs strong people,” Branson said. “If you know this is for you, please don’t give up after a set of rough days. Teaching is hard, but I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” 

“It’s difficult, and it’s getting harder. But the kids need us.” 

Learn more about middle school education programs

COE alumna Courtney Baker named Teacher of the Year

by

For her excellence in teaching, Missouri State University alumna Courtney Baker received the Teacher of the Year award for Hawthorn Elementary School, based in St. Peters, Missouri.  

Hawthorn is part of the Fort Zumwalt School District, which is headquartered in O’Fallon.  

“I was really honored to have had five different nominations this year to win this award,” Baker said. “It feels good when your hard work is noticed. That’s not why you do it, but it feels good when people appreciate you. Our school does an assembly with all the kids gathered chanting your name, and it’s always so fun.” 

Baker is also a finalist for the district’s Educator of the Year award. 

From West County, St. Louis, Baker has been teaching for eight years. She currently teaches kindergarten but has also taught first and second grade in the past.  

A positive Missouri State experience 

Baker first attended Missouri State from 2011-2015 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Wanting to become an expert in her field, she completed her master’s degree in early childhood and family development online in 2019. 

The biggest impact on Baker during her education was Dr. Denise Cunningham, associate dean of MSU’s College of Education.  

“She made it real for us,” Baker said. “She made it clear it wasn’t going to be sunshine and daisies every day in the classroom. She taught us real life survival.”  

Though Cunningham was upfront with the realities of teaching, Baker found her lessons exciting and engaging.  

“If she’s having this much fun teaching us, imagine how much fun we’re going to have when it’s our time as well,” Baker said. 

 Her favorite part of being a student at Missouri State was the energetic atmosphere.  

“There’s so much to be a part of everywhere you look,” she said. “We always called it a big school with a small school feel.” 

In her final year as a student, Baker served as president of University Ambassadors and received the Senior Woman of the Year award. 

Impacting young lives  

Baker comes from a long line of nurturing women with careers in nursing. While she always knew she wanted to help others, a job involving blood was off the table. 

“To be honest, kindergarteners’ teeth falling out at random is pushing it!” Baker said. 

Through her experiences working at summer camps and volunteering at a children’s crisis nursery, Baker’s heart discovered it had a special place for working with young children. 

“They have such a passion for life and such a unique outlook,” Baker said. “You get to help them not just with their learning, but in becoming a good person as well.” 

Recently, Baker read her students a book called, “How Full is Your Bucket,” as part of a lesson about spreading kindness to others.  

“Now everything I hear is, ‘I’m filling their bucket,’ ‘they’re filling my bucket.’ It’s so sweet to hear,” Baker said. 

When she started teaching at Hawthorn, Baker taught the same class of students from kindergarten through second grade.  While learning three new curriculums in a row was challenging, Baker found the overall experience rewarding because she got to watch her kids grow and see their humor develop and their abilities change.  

“It was really cool to forge a bond with those students and have trust and expectations built going year to year,” she said. 

One of Baker’s favorite parts of teaching younger children is following their progress throughout elementary school.  

“Sometimes the really, really quiet kid in kindergarten is the star of the school play in fifth grade. I love that I get to see these kids grow up and come out of their shells,” she shared. 

Some advice to share  

Baker tells students considering a career in early childhood education to “go for it; it’s super fun.”  

She encourages students to attend practicum opportunities while at Missouri State to experience the classroom environment.  

“What you go in thinking you want to teach might not actually be your calling,” Baker said. 

 She discourages those just entering the workforce from overwhelming themselves with the expectation of doing everything at once.  

“Get in there, do your best and follow your curriculum,” she said. “Don’t try to be the ‘Pinterest Teacher.’” 

Learn more about early childhood education programs