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College of Education News

Rural scholarship program helps educators return home

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Four students in Missouri State University’s College of Education were selected to join the Ozarks Teacher Corps, a scholarship program created by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

With this award, students can return to their rural hometown or another rural setting to begin their teaching careers. 

Joining a rural initiative 

When accepted into the Teacher Corps, students commit to three years of teaching in any rural hometown post-graduation. The Teacher Corps scholarship enables students to continue their degree without financial pressure.  

The application and scholarship are open to all college juniors and seniors in the region. 

The Teacher Corps also offers professional development opportunities for the cohort, the latest of which was with Teton Science Schools in Montauk State Park.

The latest scholarship recipients from MSU are: 

  • Cierra Parker, a junior elementary education major 
  • Brooke Crumm, a senior elementary education major
  • Grace Reed, a senior elementary education major at the West Plains campus
  • Jordyn Sigman, a junior elementary education major at the West Plains campus

Crumm began at Missouri State in fall 2023 after gaining her Associate of Arts in teacher education at Ozarks Technical Community College. She is originally from Marshfield, Missouri. 

For Crumm, this is a personal gain as much as it is a professional one.  

“Returning home to teach is something I’m looking forward to because I understand the specific needs and culture of my community,” she said. “I want to give back to the community that shaped who I am today.” 

The importance of rural education 

Dr. Rhonda Bishop, co-director for the Center for Rural Education at Missouri State explained the importance of the program to communities.  

“The schools are the hub of the communities,” she said. “The impact teachers have on the parents and children they serve is incredibly powerful.” 

She described her own admiration for the students who wish to return to rural schools to teach.  

“I graduated from a rural high school and was a public educator in rural schools for 29 years,” she said. “To know we’re sending some of the best into rural situations is what makes me the proudest.” 

Learn more about the Center for Rural Education

MSU alumna awarded Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award

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Aimee Hendricks’ ability to help her students feel seen and cared for is one of many reasons she was recognized for her outstanding teaching.  

Hendricks received one of two Outstanding Beginning Teacher Awards awarded to MSU alumni during the March 1-2 Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education conference.  

“I feel truly honored to receive this award,” she said. “Educators everywhere are going above and beyond, and I have learned a lot within my first couple years of teaching.”  

Hendricks graduated from Missouri State University in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  

Now, she is in her second year of teaching fourth grade at Daniel Young Elementary School in Blue Springs, Missouri.  

Being the teacher students need  

During her undergraduate studies, Hendricks learned about the value of teachers in students’ lives.  

“MSU showed me that teaching is not just about academics,” she said. “As teachers, we are also cheerleaders, mentors, advocates and more. Some days, you have to put academics aside and focus on showing students they are loved.” 

Hendricks’ favorite part of teaching is seeing the impact teachers can have on students.  

“My former students will come by my classroom still and talk about things they remember us doing, from read alouds to hands-on projects,” she said. “It’s amazing to create memories with students they will always remember.” 

Hendricks shows support for her students by attending their athletic events, music recitals and more. 

“It’s such a unique experience to see kids outside of school using one of their many talents, and it also shows that you care about them,” she said. 

Using her experience to help future educators 

For the past two years, Hendricks has virtually visited future educators in Dr. Rhonda Bishop’s course, Introduction to Elementary Education.  

“Aimee prepared and shared details about getting ready for the first day of school, setting up a classroom, parent communication and so much more,” said Bishop, assistant professor of childhood education and family studies at MSU. 

She also helps future teachers understand the difficulties and challenges of teaching but assures them that being an educator is worth it.  

“It has been an honor to watch Aimee grow from a student to a full-time educator. I appreciate her continued efforts to support future teachers by sharing her journey as a teacher,” Bishop said.

Hendricks is grateful for her experience with Bishop and others at Missouri State.  

“I’m incredibly thankful to have gone to such an amazing university and have amazing mentors, professors and colleagues,” Hendricks said.  

“Behind every impactful educator is a team building them up. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the best.” 

Become a teacher at Missouri State 

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!  

 

Winter gathering brings together Bear in Every Building members

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How good it felt to have so many Bears in one building. Missouri State University’s College of Education held its second gathering for the Bear in Every Building initiative Jan. 31, at Old Kinderhook Resort in Camdenton.  

The night kicked off with socialization and fun with props and a photo booth. Dr. Rhonda Bishop, MSU clinical instructor and Bear in Every Building Chairperson, and Dr. David Hough, dean of the College of Education, soon took the floor.  

They welcomed approximately 70 teachers from across Missouri—all of them part of the initiative to promote their profession to young students.  

Hough additionally spoke about the importance of building a network of educators. 

“You need to know that there are a lot of people across the state supporting you,” he said.  

Success Stories 

Following a dinner buffet and table discussions, Dr. Kayla Lewis spoke to attendees. A reading foundations and technology assistant professor, Lewis shared MSU opportunities for advanced degrees and certificates. She additionally shared information about university-provided professional development.  

Lewis encouraged BIEB members to promote Missouri State programs to their students in the hope it will support their achievement. Such programs include Bear Partnership, an initiative to increase the number of COE students from underrepresented backgrounds.  

Encouraging students to take college tours and dual enroll are also great ways to get students thinking about a career in education, Lewis said.  

Jennifer Baxter, a family and consumer science teacher at Willard High School, and Symantha Campbell, a math teacher at Farmington High School, discussed their experiences as part of the program.  

Both teachers have encountered parents who do not want their children to be educators. They hope the BIEB initiative will help parents think more positively about the profession, too.  

After all, the College of Education is hard at work shaping students’ lives. Two student success stories were additionally shared at the winter gathering.  

Junior Abby Coffman, an education student following in the footsteps of her mother, shared her family’s love for the Bears. She explained how proud she felt when an educator she looks up to said she may one day teach their child.  

Freshman Cameryn Porzelt talked about her Bear Partnership involvement. She remains in touch with the students she met in the program.  

“It was a great experience,” Porzelt said.  

Big Ideas 

Toward the end of the gathering, MSU’s Alumni Association thanked Bear in Every Building teachers, and attendees shared takeaways from their earlier table discussions.  

“The winter gathering for Bear in Every Building was so successful,” Bishop said. “Not only did faculty and staff from the College of Education connect teachers who graduated from Missouri State, we were able to obtain many plausible suggestions and ideas to move our initiative forward.” 

One teacher suggested providing special education professional development to all educators. Another suggested COE Instagram takeovers by BIEB participants to further show off the world of educators to prospective students. 

The night concluded with giveaways, including Missouri State sweatshirts, water bottles and license plates.  

Be A Bear in Every Building