College of Education News

A move from downtown Springfield to campus

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In December 2024, 56 College of Education (COE) faculty and staff who had been working in the Park Central Office Building downtown moved to Hill Hall on the Missouri State University campus.  

The COE is now centered in three key buildings: Hill Hall, the Child Development Center and Greenwood Laboratory School. 

COE Dean Dr. Barri Tinkler has expressed her excitement at the recent move. 

“It’s amazing to have more of our faculty and staff together in Hill Hall,” she said. “Given the 100-year history of this building and its ties to teacher education, it feels very meaningful to have everyone together in this building.” 

Welcome back

The move from downtown brought key programs back to Hill Hall.  

Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning 

The headquarters for the Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning (ATLL) moved into room 312 along with its director, Dr. Chuck Garner. Thirty-two ATLL staff members are now in offices on the fourth floor. 

Room 402 has been converted to an ATLL workshop room. Teachers will be able to attend professional development training in this room. 

Project Access 

The headquarters for Project Access includes the director Joan Armstrong, the administrative team and information technology support specialist. This office is now room 317. Other staff members of the Project Access team can be found on the fourth floor.  

Room 447 will soon be converted from a computer lab to a Project Access workshop room. Teachers will be able to attend training in this room. 

Location of schools 

The COE’s two schools also moved. 

School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies 

The School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies’ (SELPS) main office is now on the third floor in room 318. The school director, Dr. Kayla Robinson, and her administrative team are also in that room. Other SELPS faculty and staff can be found on the third and fourth floors. 

SELPS is home to these programs: 

School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences 

The School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences’ (TDLS) main office is now on the third floor in room 319. The school director, Dr. Minor Baker, and his administrative team are also in that room. Other TLDS faculty and staff can be found on the third and fourth floors. 

TLDS is home to these programs:  

Learn more about the College of Education

Recent changes in administration

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The College of Education (COE) is excited to introduce a new set of leaders. They have expressed confidence, passion and excitement for their new roles.  

Dr. Marjorie Shavers

Dr. Marjorie Shavers
Dr. Marjorie Shavers

Dr. Marjorie Shavers is now the associate dean for COE. 

“Serving previously as school director and department head has been an extraordinary journey of growth, learning and collaboration with some of the most passionate and talented people. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our college’s success as associate dean and help lead us to new levels of excellence.” 

Dr. Kayla Lewis

Dr. Kayla Lewis
Dr. Kayla Lewis

Dr. Kayla Lewis is interim director for the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies. 

“I’m excited to work alongside the wonderful faculty and staff in the school this year! This role offers me new opportunities to grow in my leadership, problem–solve various challenges and build relationships with students, colleagues and community partners.”  

Dr. A. M. Baker

Dr. A. M. Baker
Dr. A. M. Baker

Dr. A. M. Baker is director of the School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences. 

“I’m excited to work with some of the most amazing educators MSU has to offer. I can’t help but look forward to working with passionate people who daily are focused on teaching.” 

Dr. Julie Steiger

Dr. Julie Steiger
Dr. Julie Steiger

Dr. Julie Steiger is assistant director of the School of Teaching, Learning, and Developmental Sciences. 

“I’m fortunate to work in a school that always puts the needs of its students first. I also am excited to work with Dr. Baker, whose compassion, expertise and innovation will further the college’s role as a leader among teaching institutions.” 

Dr. Nicole West 

Dr. Nicole West
Dr. Nicole West

Dr. Nicole West is the graduate program director of Missouri State University’s new EdD program in Leadership, Learning and Educational Change. She is also continuing as assistant director for the School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences.  

“This role is exciting because it’s an opportunity to build on my success in helping master’s students in the College of Education develop competence as scholarly practitioners, which is also a primary focus of the new doctoral program.” 

MSU faculty joins National Down Syndrome Society board

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The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) elected Dr. Marjorie Shavers to its Board of Directors this September.  

“Joining the board is deeply personal to me,” said Shavers, director and associate professor of the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies and associate interim dean of the College of Education at Missouri State University. 

“As a mother to an extraordinary son with Down syndrome, I want to help create a world where he and others like him are embraced and celebrated for their unique strengths and abilities.” 

Shavers will serve a three-year term with a chance for renewal. Her first board meeting takes place in December. 

“I’m so proud of this; I feel honored to contribute in such a meaningful way,” she said. 

Beyond advocacy 

Shavers believes society needs to do more than accept people with Down syndrome.  

“It’s not just about advocating for acceptance but forging a society that eagerly anticipates their contributions,” she said. 

Shavers wants to improve education for teachers and academic professionals so they can best support people with Down syndrome. 

“As a leader in the College of Education and a board member, I aim to influence the education sector, nurturing educators and professionals who can provide unparalleled support to students with Down syndrome,” she said. 

“We must equip our educational institutions with the knowledge and compassion to empower these students and their families, ensuring they thrive in every aspect of their academic journey.” 

About NDSS 

Founded in 1979, the NDSS seeks to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families through policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities and changing public perceptions.  

They aim to ensure all people with Down syndrome are valued by a more inclusive society and are assured of their human rights.  

The organization provides resources for everyone, including an About Down Syndrome and a Preferred Language webpage.  

Learn more about NDSS 

MSU graduates recognized as Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow

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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 

Dr. Tamara Arthaud, MSU faculty, Victoria Dillon, and Dr. Angie Besendorfer from Missouri Milken Educators.
Dr. Tamara Arthaud, MSU faculty, Awardee Victoria Dillon, and Dr. Angie Besendorfer from Missouri Milken Educators.

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 

Jessica Smith was presented the MO Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow Award.
Dr. Daniel Hellman, Jessica Smith, Dr. Andrew Homburg and Vicky Scott.

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 

Denise Frederick presents the award to Kira Vaughn.
Denise Frederick, MSU faculty, and 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. 

Explore education programs 

Gaining access to the world

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Imagine walking down a sidewalk, getting on a bus or boarding a plane.  

Now imagine accomplishing them without sight.  

Missouri State University’s orientation and mobility (O&M) program trains students how to assist individuals with visual impairments. This includes providing individuals with the tools and experience they need to navigate the world independently.  

Missouri State also offers the blindness and low vision teacher education (B&LV) program. The program ensures that teachers can provide the accommodations necessary for students with visual impairments to excel in the classroom. 

“Blindness and low vision are low incidence disabilities, so they can get pushed aside,” Dr. Shari Scott, B&LV program coordinator, said.  

“Even if you have just one person who needs Braille or access to large print, it’s worth providing that support.”  

The O&M and the B&LV programs at MSU recently received national accreditation from the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI). 

The difference access can make  

Providing visually impaired students with accommodations in the classroom is crucial to allowing them to participate in everyday life.  

Dr. Christopher Craig, deputy provost at MSU, learned this at a young age when attending the Missouri School for the Blind. He credits the school with much of his success in discovering how to navigate his environment despite his visual impairment.  

“Part of what I’ve been able to do in my life, including being deputy provost, is because I had a strong skill base for learning how to cope and communicate,” Craig said. “Every kid deserves to be taught reading by a qualified teacher.” 

The blind and low vision certification ensures that students with visual impairments can manage classroom materials like textbooks, course websites and other media that is consumed visually.  

As the skills needed for success go beyond the classroom, the orientation and mobility program covers everything from cane skills to public transportation and metro travel. 

To get an O&M certification, students spend more than 20 hours under a blindfold learning the skills they will be teaching to individuals with visual impairments.  

“Even if someone can read Braille and access the world digitally, they may not feel comfortable hopping on a plane and going to Brazil,” Scott said. “Learning orientation and mobility opens up the world.”    

Explore the O&M program  

A broader vision  

Craig began developing these programs at MSU with the hope that they would produce the specialized instructors needed to better serve people with visual impairments.  

“I started this program in Missouri because there were children with visual impairments who needed greater care. They weren’t learning Braille, communication skills or how to use assistive technologies,” Craig said.  

“There also was nothing in Missouri to help these children learn how to physically get around.”  

With proper accommodations, people with visual impairments can meet their full potential alongside their sighted peers.  

“Having a job brings self-fulfillment and self-actualization,” Scott said. “If you have a sensory deprivation, such as hard of hearing or blindness, you can benefit from a specialized instructor to help you navigate functional skills. 

“One of my former students was the first blind student to go to Columbia University in New York. The things he is doing in journalism today are totally amazing.” 

MSU is bringing these necessities to students who need them, providing opportunities for them that would otherwise be inaccessible.  

“This is bigger than just the university,” Scott said. “The K-12 kids in Missouri who don’t have instructors are front and center for us, but preparing specialized instructors goes beyond that. We are part of a global endeavor to improve accessibility.”  

About the accreditation 

While the B&LV program receives its teacher-certifying credentials from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the AERBVI accreditation endorses the program as effective preparation.  

For the O&M program, the AERBVI is the certifying body. The accreditation allows for students in MSU’s O&M program to graduate fully licensed.  

MSU is one of just 12 universities with an accredited O&M program across the United States. 

Learn more about the accreditation