College of Education News

Congratulations, Dr. Lewis

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The research of Dr. Kayla Lewis has been selected for the 2023 issue of Mind’s Eye, a Missouri State University research publication. Lewis is an associate professor of literacy. 

Her research delves into how children’s books can help combat misinformation and educate the youth about Native American heritage.   

The following is an excerpt from the story:   

The lack of proper education about native heritage contributes to racism and reinforces stereotypes.   

“Children’s books can help combat these issues by providing an outlet for teachers to honor, support and teach native heritage,” Lewis said.   

“They can also help preserve endangered indigenous languages.”   

She partnered with her former professor and longtime friend, Dr. Sarah Nixon, another MSU literacy professor. Together, they curated a collection of books for teachers to use in their curriculum.   

The duo evaluated 95 children’s books from their personal and local libraries. The books were fiction or non-fiction written by or about Native Americans.   

Read the full article online 

Dr. Kewman Lee featured in Mind’s Eye magazine

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Dr. Kewman Lee studies modern communication to understand language development. His most recent research into spontaneous language creation in global online spaces is featured in the 2022 issue of Mind’s Eye.   

The full story is available on the site now.  

Here is an excerpt:  

In his research, Lee observed a website called Asianfanfics.com. Here, Korean pop music (K-pop) fans write and share stories about K-pop icons and celebrities. 

“Contributors create their own social language spontaneously. There is intrinsic motivation to learn the language to become an insider of the group,” Lee said. “It is quite similar to the history of the development of language thousands of years ago.” 

The conditions for this modern, spontaneous social language creation are unique. 

“English speakers use the translanguaging of English and Korean or the K-pop social language. Some Spanish speakers or Japanese speakers also mix their language using Japanese and Spanish words,” Lee said. “They’ve created their own standard of reading and writing.” 

Read the full story 

Congratulations, Dr. Lee!  

Dr. Elizabeth King featured in Mind’s Eye magazine

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Dr. Elizabeth King studies social-emotional development in young children. Her recent research into how preschool teachers affirm or minimize children’s emotions – and how it varies between genders – is featured in the 2021 issue of Mind’s Eye.  

The full story is available on the site now. 

Here is an excerpt:   

King believes gender plays a major role in our social-emotional development. 

“The ways we talk about emotions with young children is affected by and affects our views of gender,” King said. 

“Our views of gender influence who we allow to experience and express various emotions. That changes how we talk about emotions with children.” 

Read the full story 

Congratulations, Dr. King!  

Congratulations to Dr. Megan Boyle

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Dr. Megan Boyle’s in-depth research into treatment options for children with autism spectrum disorders is featured in the 2021 issue of Mind’s Eye. The full story is available on the site now.  

Here is an excerpt:  

Wandering and bolting are both considered eloping – a term used for leaving an area without permission. It’s a problem behavior, especially for children with autism. 

That’s why Dr. Megan Boyle, associate professor of special education at Missouri State University, researches the whys behind this largely under-studied behavior. 

She’s a board-certified behavior analyst, runs a clinic for children with autism spectrum disorders and prepares the next generation of educators for behavior issues in the classroom. 

Read the full story  

Congratulations, Dr. Boyle!  

Congratulations to Dr. Stefanie Livers

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The College of Education is excited to announce that the 2020 issue of Mind’s Eye features the work of Dr. Stefanie Livers.

Read an excerpt from her story:

“Mathematics is the gate keeper for all careers and futures,” Livers said. “Many schools use math as a decision maker of what track or trajectory you’re on.”

If math serves as a gatekeeper, what about students that don’t excel in the current math classroom model? Livers argues that every student can solve problems by using their individual strengths and funds of knowledge.

 

READ THE FULL STORY

Congratulations, Dr. Livers!