Internship Academy Archives - College of Education News

A Decade of Impact: Internship Academy Celebrates 10 Years of Transforming Educator Preparation

January 13, 2026 by Tristan Upp

This Homecoming marked a major milestone for the Internship Academy (IA): ten years of strengthening teacher preparation, building school partnerships, and supporting future educators through a truly immersive clinical experience. Launched in 2015, the Internship Academy has grown into one of the College of Education’s most innovative and impactful programs, shaping hundreds of future teachers and serving as a model for other universities.

A Program Built to Meet the Changing Needs of Schools

The Internship Academy began as a response to the evolving realities of educator preparation. As Robin Koerber explains,

“The Internship Academy at Missouri State University began in Fall 2015 as an innovative response to the changing needs of teacher preparation. Instead of the traditional short-term student teaching model, the Academy was designed as a year-long, site-based internship that gives candidates real, hands-on classroom experience.”

Rather than spending only a short time in a placement, IA interns start on the first day of school and remain throughout the year. This extended clinical model allows students to see the full arc of teaching—from building relationships to assessing growth to navigating new challenges and celebrations alongside their mentor teachers.

Koerber notes that the program was built with intentionality:

“The idea came from a commitment to better prepare educators for the realities of today’s schools. By blending theory with practice and focusing on co-teaching, reflective decision-making, and competency-based learning, the program helps future teachers enter the profession with confidence, flexibility, and a strong understanding of effective instruction.”

From its inception, the Internship Academy wasn’t just a new model for MSU—it was designed to lead.

“From the start, the Internship Academy was meant to be a model for other universities, a program that leads the way in teacher education,” Koerber adds.

National Recognition and a Decade of Accomplishments

In 2024, the Internship Academy received the Billy G. Dixon Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Awardfrom the Association of Teacher Educators—a national honor that affirmed the program’s innovative approach and impact.

Koerber describes the recognition as a defining moment:

“Receiving the 2024 Billy G. Dixon Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award from ATE was a huge milestone for us… it highlighted the positive impact the Academy has on both the teaching profession and the communities we serve.”

Over ten years, IA has:

Expanded its network of partner districts
Supported hundreds of teacher candidates
Strengthened district–university partnerships
Built pathways that ease the transition from intern to first-year teacher
Created a model that other institutions now look to for innovation in clinical preparation

Homecoming Celebration: Honoring Community, Partnership, and Progress

During Homecoming 2024, the College of Education hosted a special reception in Hill Hall to honor the program’s 10th anniversary. Current interns, graduates, mentor teachers, school partners, and supporters gathered to celebrate the program’s history and its next chapter.

Koerber shared that one of the most meaningful elements of the event was reconnecting with former interns:

“Looking back on the recent homecoming celebration, the most meaningful part was reconnecting with past participants and hearing of our students’ successes. Watching former interns return as accomplished educators really showed the transformative power of the Internship Academy.”

The gathering was both a celebration and a reflection on the shared dedication that built the program:

“The celebration wasn’t just an event; it was a reminder of the shared vision and dedication that have shaped the Academy from the very beginning,” Koerber said. “Just as rewarding was the sense of community recognition, the feeling that this program has truly made a lasting difference in schools and in the lives of children.”

Shaping the Next Generation of Educators

As Internship Academy enters its second decade, its mission remains clear: prepare confident, reflective, community-minded educators through immersive, hands-on experience.

The program continues to embody what makes Missouri State’s College of Education unique; collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening the future of teaching.

School principal fosters success through community

February 7, 2025 by Morgan E. Tinin

The Springfield region of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) recently selected Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Principal Angie Carder of Wanda Gray Elementary as Distinguished Principal.

A Missouri State University alumna, Carder is one of 11 principals nominated for this award in the state of Missouri. MAESP chose Carder for her collaboration with colleagues, mentorship and hands-on approach to administration.

“It was really nice to be honored by my colleagues and highlighted as a leader,” she said.

The path to Wanda Gray

Carder completed her undergraduate studies at Evangel University in 1993. She began her teaching career as a fifth-grade teacher at Doling Elementary in the same year (closed in the early 2000s).

When Carder was a new teacher, a principal encouraged her to pursue a career in administration.

“I had a principal who said I was a natural influencer and a positive change in mindset in our school,” she said. “I loved the classroom, but I realized administration might be an opportunity I could explore down the road.”

In 2004, she became a third grade teacher at McBride Elementary School. That same year, she gained her master’s degree in educational administration from MSU. In 2004, she earned her specialist degree in educational administration from MSU. She then became an assistant principal at Wanda Gray and Disney Elementary School in 2006.

“I enjoyed my graduate work at MSU and felt like the programs prepared me well as an elementary administrator,” she said. “We learned about many real-life scenarios that a principal might encounter and talked through ideas.”

Three years later, she became principal at Wanda Gray.

“It was a natural, smooth transition to principal,” Carder said. “We have a very strong culture and climate in our building. We also have a very supportive community.”

Carder has continued to support Missouri State as principal. She has been a key leader in building a strong partnership between Wanda Gray and Missouri State University’s Internship Academy (IA), a yearlong, immersive co-teaching program that prepares future educators through hands-on experience.

Thanks to her support, IA interns at Wanda Gray are fully integrated into the school community through daily planning, instruction and collaboration. Her dedication to creating a welcoming and supportive environment ensures that both interns and students benefit from the program.

A hands-on approach

SPS announced the award, noting Carder’s connection with her team.

“She seeks opportunities to serve beyond her own school by mentoring others,” SPS Board of Education stated. “She builds strong, trusting relationships within her school, the district and the community.”

Carder’s strength as a principal is her hands-on approach to leadership and activity in her school. She is a mentor principal to a new principal every year and she serves on many committees in her school.

She also participates in a professional learning community that meets weekly to plan, analyze student data and discuss student interventions.

Carder’s strategy for administration is being active.

“I try to be very visible in our school, in the classrooms and hallways,” she said. “I like to be accessible to students and teachers. I enjoy giving positive input and effective feedback.”

She added it is important to work with teachers in a hands-on way and recognize the impact of their work.

Carder wants to encourage students who are considering an education career.

“I wish I could somehow spread the word that this is such a positive, important career,” she said. “As an educator, you impact a student’s future, character and self-esteem. It’s been so rewarding to make a difference in people’s lives, and I’m thankful I’ve had the opportunity.”

On March 3, MAESP will announce the Missouri winner of the national Distinguished Principal Award. Carder is in the running for the award.

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Student teacher selected as one of the Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow

July 26, 2024 by Morgan E. Tinin

Recent Missouri State University graduate Dorian Beckner has been honored as an outstanding student teacher.

Dorian Beckner (center) with her cooperating teachers.

She is one of 13 student teachers across the state — and only one of two in the southwest region — recognized as the Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow by Missouri Milken Educators.

As an award recipient, she will enjoy a year of coaching and mentorship from a Missouri Milken Leader and access to the Missouri Milken Educators network.

“Teaching is a hard but rewarding career path, so it’s nice when you hear what you’ve done well, even if it was just my first year,” Beckner said.

A standout student teacher at Wanda Gray

At Missouri State, Beckner, a Springfield native, was part of the Internship Academy in the College of Education (COE). The academy offers students a year-long, on-site experience with partner school districts.

Beckner student taught in a third-grade classroom at Wanda Gray Elementary in Springfield Public Schools (SPS) for the 2023-24 school year. Her outstanding performance in the classroom, compassion and hard work compelled Cathy Barrett, her cooperating teacher, to recommend her for the award.

“Dorian is a very compassionate person and teacher,” Barrett said. “She finds good in everyone. She helps students feel successful in a kind and loving manner.”

One of Beckner’s assignments was to create a unit plan. The complex plan covering economics stood out to Barrett.

“Students could earn class money and at the end of the unit, she conducted an auction,” Barrett said. “She had interesting prizes for our students. They learned a lot about saving and using their money wisely.”

According to Beckner, she is passionate about teaching because she understands the importance of a consistent, loving role model in a child’s life.

“To be that person for a group of 24 students is life changing, and I hope it’s the same way for them,” she said.

A welcome surprise

Beckner received the award on May 2 at Wanda Gray in a surprise assembly. Her students and COE guests were present. Denise Fredrick, former SPS educator and former president of the SPS Board of Education, gave her the award.

“Students surprised me with a celebration assembly and all of third grade was there,” Beckner said. “Many of my third graders stood up and said something about me, which was sweet.”

Sharing what she has learned

For Beckner, the biggest lesson she has learned is even mistakes can be lessons for her students.

“I want my students to see that I’m a real human,” she said. “I want them to know they can make mistakes just like Miss Beckner makes mistakes.”

She also gave advice for future student teachers.

“Take it all in, ask questions and pay attention to all the things around you,” Beckner said. “You’ll learn what to do and what not to do. Take lots of notes. Take lots of pictures.”

Beckner graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She will teach first grade at SPS’ Westport Elementary in fall 2024.

Learn more about the Internship Academy

MSU graduates recognized as Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow

May 31, 2023 by Strategic Communication

Three Missouri State University graduates earned the 2023 Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow distinction by Missouri Milken Educators.

Victoria Dillon, Jessica Smith and Kira Vaughn were recognized because they are innovative educators who will positively impact the future of the profession.

They are among 10 inductees to receive the designation across the state.

All inductees will receive a year of coaching and mentorship and will have access to the Missouri Milken Educators network.

Victoria Dillon

Dillon graduated in December 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in special education. She is now a special education teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Liberty, Missouri.

She has advanced critical thinking skills and excels at working with students of diverse backgrounds, abilities and disabilities.

“She’s an intelligent and highly motivated individual. She has a wonderful rapport with people of all ages, especially at the elementary school level,” said Marie McAdams, her university supervisor for student teaching.

“Her ability to connect with her SPED students and her talent for teaching simple concepts are superior.”

Jessica Smith

Smith graduated in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She completed her student teaching at Weller Elementary and Central High School in Springfield.

She is meticulous in her preparation of content, pedagogical sequence and knowledge of students.

“Jessica plans and implements engaging lessons seemingly effortlessly,” said Vicky Scott, her university supervisor for student teaching. “She’s organized and self-motivated. Her sunny disposition draws students into her processes.”

Smith is now a music teacher at Bingham Elementary in Springfield.

Kira Vaughn

Vaughn graduated in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She completed her student teaching at John Thomas School of Discovery in Nixa, Missouri, as part of MSU’s Internship Academy program.

She excels as an intern because of her high student engagement, growth mindset, strong relationships with students and more.

“She’s sought out by others in the building to spend time in their classrooms,” said Sara Tipton, director of the Internship Academy program. “She’s an exceptional student teacher.”

Vaughn plans to stay in Missouri to teach in the fall.

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