College of Education News

Missouri State receives $70,000 grant to promote education programs

by

Thanks to a $70,000 grant award from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Missouri State University will be able to draw students into the education field. 

The funds are part of the annual Developing an Educator Workforce that Expands Yearly (DEWEY) Awards. 

Dr. Denise Cunningham, a professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences and a co-director for the Center for Rural Education, wrote the grant proposal. She believed MSU’s College of Education could meet the state’s need for more teachers.  

“The new report out by the DESE, states the highest shortage areas are elementary education and early childhood education teachers,” she said. “MSU is in the position to be able to meet that need.” 

The grant money will go toward a range of on campus high school recruitment events. These events aim to draw students into the teaching field, often from rural backgrounds.  

Bears Teach 

The DEWEY grant will fund the college’s summer immersion program, Bears Teach. This residential program allows students to stay on campus for a week to participate in education-related activities.  

The students are involved in: 

  • Sessions about college funding and finances 
  • Sessions about student organizations 
  • Classroom observations in their chosen field 
  • Alumni banquet – students can ask questions of current professionals 
  • Leadership night – students learn about the education career ladder 
  • Springfield experiences, such as a Springfield Cardinals game and Incredible Pizza 
  • Fun activities, such as karaoke night and movie night. 

According to Cunningham, the Bears Teach experience is designed to help students acclimate to campus life and familiarize themselves with Springfield.  

“After students come to Bears Teach, they say things like, ‘This cemented my decision to come to MSU and be a teacher,’” Cunningham said. “That’s why we do this.” 

Bears Teach Academy  

In her proposal, Cunningham also added a new program — Bears Teach Academy — to the list.  The academy will allow students who have previously attended Bears Teach and are beginning at MSU in fall 2025 to attend Bears Teach again in summer 2025. 

These students will also be able to take Child and Family Development (CFD) 155 Principles of Human Development for free as part of their experience. This course will count three credit hours as a general education course.  

Through these program offerings, Cunningham believes students will gain many opportunities to see what the teaching profession has to offer them.  

“We want to show high school students a variety of teaching settings and convince them that teaching is a joyful profession,” Cunningham said. “If we do that, we can meet the teacher shortage needs.” 

Young Mathematics Teacher Academy 

When submitting the grant, Cunningham made an effort to include funding for mathematics educators. As such, part of the money will support the mathematics department’s annual Young Mathematics Teacher Academy.  

Held in the summer, the residential academy helps participants to deepen their understanding of math and learn teaching strategies that support active learning.  

Cunningham notes math teachers are much needed.  

“Mathematics is a highly sought after degree by school districts, so I felt it was important to allocate funding to that area to encourage more students to be math teachers,” she said. 

Working with children and families 

One of the events funded by the DEWEY grant includes the “Working with children and families” fall and spring events. Local high schools bring students to the MSU campus to learn about education programs. 

The students can pick a breakout session to attend, which involves a hands-on experience with the career field. A panel of current education students speak at these events, sharing their experience as an MSU student.  

Students are also able to tour the campus and enjoy a free lunch.  

“Be a career and technical education teacher” day 

In addition, the funding from the DEWEY grant helps the career and technical education program (CTE) host students interested in agriculture education, business education or family and consumer sciences 

These students participate in activities based on their content area, hear from a panel of current MSU students and learn about admission and advising. Students also tour the MSU campus and are given a complimentary lunch. 

Learn more about the College of Education

Missouri State offers one of the most affordable master’s in education

by

Best Value Schools recognized Missouri State University’s master’s in elementary education program as one of the most affordable online master’s in education.  

Having a master’s degree can open many opportunities in the field of education.  

“Earning an advanced degree in elementary education provides teachers with a pay increase and the knowledge and skills to delve deeper into content,” Dr. Denise Cunningham, head of the childhood education and family studies department, said.  

“It can also open doors for becoming an instructional coach, curriculum director, gifted and talented teacher or simply a teacher leader in your school.” 

Explore MSU’s master’s in elementary education program 

About the ranking 

Missouri State was ranked number 26 among the most affordable programs in the U.S. 

Best Value Schools emphasizes that MSU’s program “bridges research and practice, and helps teachers gain the knowledge to manage classrooms for learning, and to meet the needs of all elementary-level learners.” 

How the ranking is determined 

Best Value Schools researched and ranked accredited universities that offer master’s in education degrees in an online format.  

The cost per credit hour and the length of the program were both considered in determining the most affordable programs.  

MSU was also recognized for the master’s in school counseling program.  

About the program 

The master’s in education program at MSU provides flexible options that students can customize to reach their career goals.  

Several graduate certificate options provide further opportunities to build specialized knowledge.  

Certificate options include:  

Learn more about earning your master’s in education

COE department head receives statewide award

by

Dr. Denise Cunningham, childhood education and family studies department head, and all her hard work has not gone unnoticed. Missouri Educators of Family and Consumer Sciences and Human Services (MoEFACS) recently selected Cunningham as the recipient of the 2020 Champion Business Leader award.  

The news came to Cunningham in a letter from Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). 

“When I first saw the letter, I thought another faculty member, Debra Price, had won an award for post-secondary teaching,” Cunningham said. “I had no idea the award was for me. I didn’t think I had done anything worthy of being recognized.” 

MoEFACS felt differently, as do her colleagues.  

“A leader is a person who empowers and uses the strengths of others in order to yield positive results. Dr. Cunningham is that type of leader,” Dr. Stefanie Livers said. Livers is an assistant professor in Cunningham’s department. “She effectively supports faculty in their individual teaching and research, orchestrating a synergistic body that provides students with quality programs.” 

Creating a legacy  

Cunningham began at Missouri State in 2005 as an assistant professor in early childhood education. She has since “demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving career and technical education.” 

“I have been intentional about working with family and consumer science teachers to develop dual credit opportunities in child development, human development and family studies, as well as education-specific courses, such as Introduction to Elementary Education,” Cunningham said.  

She has also invited FACS and Career Pathways teachers and interested students to campus to learn about related MSU programs.  

In addition to creating opportunities, Cunningham led the development of two master’s degree programs: Master of Science in Child Life Studies and Master of Science in Early Childhood Special Education. Cunningham also expanded the College of Education’s Internship Academy to include opportunities for early childhood education candidates.  

“I have also been involved in Bear Partnership, a summer, week-long immersion experience for high school students interested in the field of education,” Cunningham said.  

MSU memories 

One of Cunningham’s favorite memories in her 15 years at the university is when she implemented the Abundant Books for Children project across schools in Stone County.  

The project culminated from her own research, and she put it to use in an early childhood methods course as a service-learning assignment. She and her undergraduate students went to five school districts to provide workshops for families with preschool students. The workshops taught families how to use an interactive, shared book experience with their young children.  

“The work with the families was so enjoyable, but I was thrilled at what students learned from the experience,” Cunningham said. “It was so cool to have my research, teaching and service so connected.” 

Cunningham said she looks forward to the rest of her time at Missouri State. She will be recognized for her work July 22, at a MoEFACS luncheon and awards ceremony. Additionally, MoEFACS will forward an application for Cunningham to the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (NATFACS), to compete for the Champion for Family and Consumer Sciences award.