College of Education News

Child life student runs nonprofit while in school

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In June 2020, Tamar Adler went through a traumatic experience that sparked her passion for child life.  

To begin her journey in child life, Adler created Cheery Charlie, a nonprofit corporation that donates craft bags to children in hospitals.  

Nearly three years since its inception in January 2021, Adler’s nonprofit has donated over 8,000 craft bags.  

In August 2022, Adler enrolled in the child life graduate program at Missouri State University. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and completes her courses online.  

Putting her education to practice 

Adler completed her practicum this fall at Mercy Kids Hospital in St. Louis.  

She spent most of her time in the emergency department and occasionally worked in the surgery center. She practiced providing support to children as a child life specialist during some of their most vulnerable times.  

“One of the most valuable things I learned was to match the energy in the room and of the patient. This helps build rapport and makes the child feel more comfortable,” Adler said.  

While she enjoyed working in both departments, she discovered she loved working in the emergency room.  

“I liked not knowing who was coming next, and the sense of surprise,” she said. “I’m sad the experience is over, but I’m looking forward to my future.” 

A supportive community 

Adler shared she has loved her online MSU experience. 

“I’ve learned so much, and the faculty is amazing and supportive,” she said. 

Adler said Dr. Lindsey Murphy, assistant professor of education at MSU and Adler’s advisor, has helped her tremendously. 

“Dr. Murphy goes above and beyond for her students. She’s extremely supportive, and you can tell how much she cares about each student,” she said.  

Adler plans to graduate in spring 2026. She is grateful to be able to complete her program while working on Cheery Charlie. 

“I hope to expand my nonprofit into other areas of Missouri and beyond. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and Cheery Charlie.” 

Study child life at MSU 

MSU alum awarded Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award

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Receiving a teaching award is gratifying, especially early in your career. 

Missouri State University alum Brett Gilio began teaching on a provisional teaching license while simultaneously completing a master’s program in teaching.  

During his second year of teaching, Gilio was awarded the 2023 Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award by the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). He received the award as part of the MACTE conference in Columbia, Missouri March 2-3.  

“I feel deeply appreciative, as this award shows that people recognize the work I put into my students and the field of education,” Gilio said. “I’m deeply driven and always seeking to innovate and make the learning process meaningful and exciting.” 

Journey to teaching 

From Grain Valley, Missouri, Gilio spent his undergraduate time studying biology and chemistry, working both as a laboratory assistant for a research institute and in adolescent mental health. 

This prompted his switch to education, joining the MSU Master of Arts in Teaching program, where he specialized in science education. 

Now, he teaches general biology and earth science at William Chrisman High School in Independence, Missouri.  

“My favorite thing about being a science educator is the freedom that it gives me to introduce real world and contemporary issues in the science classroom,” Gilio said. “This includes skills like design, engineering, inquiry and problem-solving that students can then use in any other discipline for the rest of their lives. 

“Science is always relevant.” 

Gilio will always remember those who helped him along the way. 

“While at MSU, I was deeply connected with many fabulous educators who have supported me and cheered me on, such as Melanie Carden-Jessen, Dr. Julia Novakowski and Dr. Jamie Atkinson,” Gilio said. “I model my teaching style after these individuals.” 

Gilio was nominated for this award by Carden-Jessen. 

“Gilio has the manner, poise and skill of someone who has been in the classroom for a decade or more,” Carden-Jessen said. “He was an easy choice to nominate.” 

Explore education programs 

Effective assessments in an era of accountability

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Each aspect of a college campus contributes to the success of its students.  

Professionals in the field of student affairs in higher education (SAHE) partner with academic affairs units on different campuses to create holistic collegiate experiences that support undergraduate student success that results in degree attainment.  

Since 2015, the Division of Student Affairs (DOSA) and the SAHE Program have partnered to hold a campus wide assessment symposium which features academic work completed by SAHE students at MSU.  

“Students in our master’s program learn about the different assessment evaluation tools they can use to assess the effectiveness of campus units and how they contribute to undergraduate student success,” explained Dr. Gilbert Brown, SAHE program director.  

“The symposium helps our new professionals gain skills that are needed in the workplace, and it contributes to the office of student affairs here at MSU.”   

The assessment symposium  

Graduate students in the SAHE program present their research at the assessment symposium as part of their academic requirements.  

“Our first-year students develop an assessment protocol for trying to determine the effectiveness of a unit and our second-year students have completed their project,” Brown said.  

“When our students graduate from MSU, they’re ready to hit the ground running when they are hired by another university.” 

A second year SAHE student presenting at the 2022 assessment symposium

Skills for success

Brown knows both the ropes and the challenges that new SAHE professionals face as they enter the field.  

“We have to improve our understanding of how to use social media to make sure undergraduate students have good experiences on campus,” Brown explained.

“Universities often have limited resources, so having evidence of effectiveness is necessary to point to what is working.”

The skills SAHE students gain through the assessment symposium allow them to contribute to undergraduate student success on the MSU campus and wherever their future career takes them.     

The success of the assessment symposium points to the preparedness of the students within the program, as well as the professional collaboration that takes place at MSU.  

“The Division of Student Affairs here on campus and our academic program work well together to prepare the next generation of student affairs professionals,” Brown said. “I’m pleased with the professional partnership we have with our colleagues.”    

Explore the SAHE program

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  

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