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A collaborative partnership between Missouri State University and Mark Twain Elementary

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In the fall of 2024, a unique and intentional partnership between Missouri State University and Mark Twain Elementary was launched. This collaboration aims to enhance the preparation of future educators while offering valuable resources and support to the teachers and students at Mark Twain Elementary. The journey to this collaboration, its structure, and its aspirations provide a compelling model for impactful educational partnerships.

The foundation of the partnership

This partnership began in February 2024, when Dr. Amber Howard, Dean’s Fellow at MSU, started collaborating with Blaine Broderick, principal of Mark Twain Elementary. They worked closely to create a mutually beneficial framework, meeting frequently to finalize plans. This effort followed a year-long initiative by Dr. Howard and MSU’s Competency-Based Learning (CBL) team to identify a suitable school partner and develop a collaborative approach. By the fall semester, the partnership was in full swing, with MSU faculty teaching classes at Twain and students gaining invaluable classroom experience.

Motivation and vision

The partnership stems from a broader initiative to support the implementation of CBL in schools as part of a Dean’s Fellowship project. “Our college students being able to work with early childhood and elementary students to apply the skills they are learning feels more directly connected to what they want to do with their careers, so it is really exciting for them,” shared Dr. Stacie Finley, highlighting the transformative impact of connecting theory to practice.

Initial efforts revealed the need for clarity and consistency in how CBL is introduced and practiced. Additionally, MSU recognized the dual benefits of placing education majors in classrooms earlier and more frequently: it not only enhances their readiness to lead their own classrooms but also provides schools with additional support for students and access to a pool of well-prepared, familiar teacher candidates.

A woman meets students in a classroom
Paige Allman, a student in Dr. Tammi Davis’s ELE 425 class, introduces herself to her penpals in Dawn Snapp’s class at Mark Twain Elementary.

Mark Twain Elementary was a natural fit for this partnership. Principal Broderick, an MSU alum, and his team’s commitment to fostering a supportive, collaborative environment aligned perfectly with MSU’s goals. For Dr. Howard, who spearheaded the partnership, Twain holds a special place as the first school where she felt truly at home as a teacher.

Structure and implementation

In the fall semester, five MSU faculty members taught portions of their courses at Mark Twain Elementary as part of this partnership:

  • Dr. Stacie Finley: LTC 318 Foundations of Literacy Instruction
  • Dr. Diana Piccolo: ELE 429 Math Methods
  • Dr. Tammi Davis: ELE 425 Writing Methods
  • Dr. Amber Howard: ELE 500 Current Issues in Elementary Education
  • Ellen Fogle: ELE 500 Current Issues in Elementary Education

These classes directly connect theoretical knowledge with practical application. For example:

  • Dr. Finley’s literacy class pairs MSU students with 22 Twain students for one-on-one tutoring sessions.
  • Dr. Davis’s writing methods course includes a pen pal project where MSU students correspond weekly with 21 second-grade pen pals at Twain, analyzing writing and building meaningful connections.
  • Dr. Piccolo’s math methods students observe lessons in seven classrooms and design interactive math activities as their final projects.

MSU’s ELE 500 students also participate in 130-hour internships, spending one full day per week at Twain. These internships, required for all education degrees at MSU, far exceed the state’s minimum requirements, reflecting MSU’s commitment to comprehensive teacher preparation.

a woman sits with students in a classroom
Hannah Holcomb interned in this second grade class at Twain as part of her ELE 500 course, where she will also student-teach in the spring semester.

Fostering growth for all participants

The partnership is designed to benefit both the MSU students and the Twain community. By immersing MSU students in classrooms earlier and often, the program bridges the gap between academic preparation and the realities of teaching. “I haven’t been with this young of an age in my entire college experience. I loved how excited they were to learn and to meet me. It was a prime example of why I chose this career to begin with,” shared a student after completing the semester. According to student reflections, the experience has been transformative, reigniting their passion for teaching and reinforcing their career aspirations.

Twain’s teachers and students also gain significant advantages. Students receive personalized attention through tutoring and pen pal projects, while teachers appreciate the additional support and collaboration.

“I love the Missouri State professors I get to work with and I’ve always had hard-working MSU students,” said one of the Twain teachers with students in the penpal program.

Looking ahead, the partnership aims to expand its impact by offering professional development (PD) opportunities for Twain’s teachers, with a focus on equity in assessment and the principles of CBL.

Expanding the model

The success of this partnership is paving the way for similar collaborations. This semester, Dr. Howard and faculty are duplicating the Twain partnership with Disney Elementary. Dr. Lori Elliott, the principal, has already welcomed MSU interns in the past and expressed enthusiasm for deeper collaboration through hosting literacy and methods courses this semester. The plan for these partnerships includes having two elementary schools where ELE and ECE students can see a model of the best practices they learn about in their college courses while also integrating PD sessions for the schools to support the district’s transition to CBL.

The partnership between MSU and Mark Twain Elementary exemplifies the power of intentional collaboration. By aligning the needs and goals of both institutions, it creates a mutually enriching environment where future educators and current practitioners learn and grow together. As the partnership evolves, its potential to shape the future of education in Springfield Public Schools, and schools across Missouri, is immense. Through shared dedication to supporting students, teachers, and schools, MSU and its partners are building a brighter future for education.

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hill Hall at Homecoming

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We invite College of Education faculty, students, alumni and friends to celebrate a 100-year legacy of excellence at Missouri State University’s Homecoming 2024.   

Fun, history and community 

The College of Education will host a special Homecoming event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 19 at the John Goodman Amphitheatre.    

The event features: 

  • Live music starting at 10:30 a.m. 
  • Free food and T-shirts. 
  • Fun photobooth  
  • Hill Hall tours 
  • Commemorative 100th Hill Hall pass 

There will also be performances by the Child Development Center and Bear POWER students. In addition, seventh-grade students from Greenwood Laboratory School will present a documentary on the history of Greenwood in Hill Hall.   

Visit the Hill Hall 100th anniversary website 

Dr. Jennice McCafferty-Wright selected for a Fullbright-Hays summer fellowship abroad

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Join us in congratulating Missouri State University’s Dr. Jennice McCafferty-Wright on being selected for a summer 2024 fellowship to Tanzania-Zanzibar hosted by the School of International Training.  

“Tuko Pamoja: Tanzanian Creativity and Perspectives in an Era of Climate Change,” is funded by a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad grant from the Department of Education. Only six U.S. professors were selected for this incredible opportunity. 

“I’m so grateful my colleague Dr. Sarah Nixon forwarded the application to me,” said McCafferty-Wright, assistant professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences. “Schools, communities, coral reefs, Kilimanjaro, nature reserves, an introduction to Swahili — this promises to be an incredibly memorable journey!” 

The five-week fellowship will focus on providing ways for educators to bring African perspectives into their classrooms when discussing climate change. This connects to the work she has begun as an MSU sustainability fellow. 

“I’m most excited about the opportunity to learn from and with educators and researchers in Tanzania-Zanzibar,” McCafferty-Wright said. 

In this fellowship, she will hear from a wide variety of voices, ranging from Tanzanian policymakers to smallholder farmers in the Maasai community.  

“International relationships and experiences can help us think about our work in a more complex way,” McCafferty-Wright said. “The work I’m doing will also help me establish collaborative relationships for projects that will ultimately benefit our students.” 

Discover more about Education Programs

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.

Learn more about child and family development programs

From kindergarten to college

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The teaching profession is more than educating students. It is also about building meaningful relationships that impact both the teacher and the students.  

Allison Kramer built a special relationship with her kindergarten teacher, Linda Wolff, that she carried with her throughout her education. When Allison was in eighth grade, she nominated her for the Golden Apple Teacher Award. Mrs. Wolff sent a letter to Allison to thank her and encourage her to consider attending Missouri State University. 

Allison is now in her third year at Missouri State. She recently re-discovered the letter from Mrs. Wolff in her old memories box. She knew her favorite teacher would be thrilled that she attended Missouri State after all and decided to send her a letter by mail.  

“I was so excited to send her a letter telling her I chose MSU. I also wanted to tell her that my current roommate was also in her kindergarten class with me,” Allison said. After three attempts, Allison finally found the correct mailing address. 

The letter Mrs. Wolff sent in response was filled with stories of her experience at Missouri State. She wrote that she thought everything Allison was doing at Missouri State was awesome, and Allison plans to write back to her to tell her to visit the campus again.  

Mrs. Wolff and Allison made a connection that’s lasted for many years. Teachers have the power to inspire and encourage students to achieve their personal and professional goals, just as Mrs. Wolff did for Allison.