College of Education News

Learning the administrative side of education

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Shifting from being a teacher to an administrator can bring a lot of changes. There are also many benefits to knowing both fields, no matter which one you work in.  

The College of Education’s department of counseling, leadership and special education collaborates with local school districts to create cohorts of educators who earn their master’s in educational administration.  

“If a district can foresee that there are going to be job openings within the community, they can encourage people with good leadership skills in their district toward that role,” explained Dr. Kim Finch, director of the educational administration program. 

“Our program is also good for the classroom teacher. The coursework gives an awareness of what takes place in the office and why things may be handled the way they are.” 

The cohort model 

One of the benefits of the cohort model for educational administration is that districts can personalize the curriculum for their faculty. 

Twelve hours of the degree are earned as credit-by-assessment and are taught by the district. 

“We send them our syllabus along with our assignments. This allows them to tweak it so that it can better align with their district,” Finch explained. “Sometimes those assignments might be projects that the school board requested.”  

Students within the cohorts save money on tuition since they earn 12 credit hours through their district. 

Nixa Public Schools (NPS) currently participates in the program.  

“This partnership with MSU is mutually beneficial for our students and district alike,” said Josh Chastain, executive director of curriculum, instruction and assessment at NPS. “Students benefit financially, and our district gains dedicated, highly trained and NPS-focused administrative candidates.  

“MSU wants to support our teachers in their graduate endeavors and make sure our students are able to receive necessary professional learning.”  

Contact Dr. Kim Finch about forming a cohort 

Encouraging educators 

A master’s in educational administration allows teachers to earn a salary increase in addition to their certification to become an administrator. 

“Sometimes people who go through our program just want a master’s degree,” Finch said. “But we encourage everyone to get certified. Down the road, you may want to apply for an opening, and you will already have obtained the right classes and assessments.” 

Missouri needs more teachers and administrators right now, so Finch said it’s important to have professional development accessible to educators and future educators.   

She emphasized the necessity for building positive relationships with students in the program and highlighting the positive things happening across the field of education. 

“Education is the background for everything, whether you want to be a doctor, a banker or whatever. If we don’t have a good education system, then all other professions will be affected.” 

Explore a master’s in educational administration  

What to know about the Teacher Pathways program

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Opportunities to earn college credit for general education courses in high school classrooms have been around for many years.  

Missouri State University’s College of Education (COE) and Springfield Public Schools (SPS) recently partnered to give high school students college credit for classes and experiences to prepare them to be teachers.  

“Students are able to explore the field of education through the regular classroom setting, guest speakers, field trips and practicum placements,” said Katie Kensinger, coordinator of college and career readiness at SPS.  

“The Teacher Pathways program allows high school students to understand much more about the profession. This is essential for them to truly know if teaching is what they want to pursue after graduation.”  

In the classroom  

Students enrolled in dual credit courses take the classes at their high school.  

The high school teachers offering the courses work with Dr. Denise Cunningham, head of the childhood education and family studies department, and the dual credit office to make sure their syllabi align with MSU course requirements.  

“I worked on aligning the coursework that they are offering with the standards required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE),” Cunningham noted.  

“Now, each program has its own introductory course – early childhood, elementary, and combined middle and secondary.”  

High school students can take up to two courses in education at a reduced fee per credit hour. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunches can earn dual credit free of charge. All credits transfer into an MSU education program.  

“Partnering with MSU strengthens our SPS curriculum and ensures it is more relevant,” Kensinger remarked.  

“Beginning college with a clear vision and applicable credits may help some students graduate within four years.” 

The future of teaching 

Teacher Pathways can help high school students finalize their decision about wanting to pursue teaching as a career.  

“I’ve learned how to write a proper lesson plan and introduce lessons to students in an engaging way,” said Michelle Dobre, a senior at Hillcrest High School. “The practicum gave me an opportunity to see what it’s actually like being a teacher.”  

Cunningham explained that an early practicum gives high school students a peek into a profession that has so many rewarding qualities, even when there are tough times.  

“We need our best and brightest to become teachers. They’re the ones who can inspire the lives of everyone else.”   

Explore degrees in education 

Removing barriers for teachers in training

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Certified teachers are needed in many schools in Missouri right now.  

College graduates with a bachelor’s degree can earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) to become a certified teacher. But, it can be difficult to turn down or leave a full-time job to earn a master’s degree.  

MSU recently shifted their MAT coursework completely online. Now, students can earn their master’s degree while working full-time or while working in the classroom with a provisional teaching certificate.  

“With an online program, we’re able to work around barriers while maintaining an academically rigorous program,” said Dr. Pamela Correll, program coordinator for the MAT. “Students are accomplishing two huge milestones with the MAT – a master’s degree and teacher certification.”  

The MAT program is among five MSU online master’s degrees ranked in the top 10 across the nation.  

Teachers in training  

A provisional teaching certificate gives students the benefit of a full-time job and allows school districts to fill vacancies two years earlier.     

“A student can work through our teacher certification office to gain a provisional teaching certificate from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). After that paperwork is processed, they can begin working in the classroom,” Correll said.  

Students who want to earn their MAT can complete the program from anywhere in Missouri.  

“The 75 hours of required observation and student teaching are completed in the school where they are working,” Correll said. “So, they’re earning a salary and are considered to be the teacher of record while they earn both a master’s degree and their regular teacher certification.”  

Creating a plan  

The MAT program is designed to be completed in two years. Mary Bohlen, academic advisor in the College of Education, works with students to create a plan that is suited to their needs.  

“This program is responding to the question ‘what does the world we live in require from us?’ And then, ‘how can we offer that to students?’” Bohlen said.  

“We need a lot of great teachers in this state, and this program works hard to remove obstacles that keep people from becoming great teachers.”  

Explore the MAT program

Helping students SHINE

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Parent work schedules and school schedules do not always match up perfectly. This can leave some families in a sticky situation.  

To resolve this struggle, Springfield Public Schools (SPS) joined local organizations to provide quality before and after school care through the SHINE program.  

Students pursuing a degree in elementary education at Missouri State University can complete a 30-hour practicum (that is required in the early stages of their degree program) while working at the YMCA.  

“Many of our students work to support themselves through school. Their schedules are very tight, so this opportunity is a win-win,” said Rhonda Bishop, clinical instructor in the department of childhood education and family studies.  

“It provides the necessary workforce for SHINE, and our students are getting paid while they satisfy a requirement for their class.” 

Working in after-school care 

Most early practicum experiences involve observing a certified teacher and taking on a few lessons or tasks in the classroom.  

In the SHINE program, students are immersed in classroom skills from the start – planning activities, working with students in small groups and managing the after-school schedule.  

“Each day, we do a math activity and a literacy activity,” said Sophia Crabtree, an MSU elementary education major and YMCA employee.  

“You have to plan ahead, and you learn classroom management skills when you’re working with the kids.”  

Having experience working with children is an important part of building your resume as an education major.  

“It’s always helpful on your resume if you can show experience working with children,” Bishop said. “I encourage my students to start gaining that experience as soon as possible, and the SHINE program provides that for them.”  

Closing the gap 

The recent pandemic conditions caused some students to return to school in-person with some additional needs.  

“Teachers are realizing that there are some educational gaps for their students,” Bishop said. “So, schools are implementing strategies to lessen that gap. After school care is one of the ways kids can get extra support outside of the typical school day.”  

Employees working in the SHINE program can build relationships with students and address needs that may not be met in the classroom that day.  

“I can connect with students and give them the attention they need when they have something they want to talk about,” Crabtree said.  

“It’s rewarding seeing them progress throughout the year and maybe even handling situations differently because you talked with them about it.” 

Explore a degree in elementary education

Rhonda Bishop with an award plaque for distinguished clinician.Distinguished clinician award 

Bishop was recently awarded the Distinguished Clinician in Teacher Education Award from the Association of Teacher Educators.  

This award was granted in recognition of her support of students in and out of the classroom.  

Bishop’s work to find creative solutions for students to complete their programs, such as the SHINE program, is a valuable part of her contribution as an educator.  

Congratulations, Dr. Bishop!  

 

Associate professor renews national board certification

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Dr. Stefanie Livers, associate professor in the department of childhood education and family studies, is a renewed national board-certified teacher through The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). 

“As a teacher educator, it is important to maintain my national board certification and model consistent self-improvement for both my teacher candidates and graduate students,” Livers said. “It shows that I can implement the philosophies and methods that I am teaching in actual elementary classrooms.”  

Livers initially received her certification in 2001 and recertified for the first time in 2011.   

What it takes  

To earn board certification, teachers complete a performance based, peer-reviewed process, demonstrating their proven impact on student learning and achievement.   

“They put their teaching to the test and voluntarily challenge themselves by reflecting on their practice and confirming that they are teaching to the highest standards,” said Peggy Brookins, president and CEO of the NBPTS.   

Livers has joined a growing community of more than 130,000 board-certified teachers in the United States.  

“We work to drive teacher quality to help assure that all youth in America have equal access to the best possible teachers,” Brookins said. “I encourage all Americans to pause and celebrate our national board-certified teachers.” 

Learn more about becoming a Board Certified Teacher