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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.
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 

Filed Under: COE Alumni Tagged With: Elementary Education, Internship Academy, School of Teaching Learning and Developmental Sciences, Springfield Public Schools, Student Success

COE alumnus earns Springfield Public Schools’ Rookie of the Year award

July 10, 2024 by Morgan E. Tinin

Drew Irwin with program faculty

In his first career, Drew Irwin was an actor living in Los Angeles.  

But in his late 20s, the Marshfield, Missouri, native returned to the area and decided to become a teacher — a profession that runs in his family. Irwin’s passion for kids and their learning processes led him away from the stage and into the classroom.  

“The excitement kids have when they begin to understand what was extremely hard for them is an adrenaline rush to me,” Irwin said. 

Irwin moved back to Springfield in 2015 and married his wife in 2016. He began working full time at Best Buy to support his wife’s pursuit of her doctorate degree and taking classes to get his teaching certificate in 2021. 

According to Irwin, returning to school as an adult was intimidating, but the College of Education at Missouri State provided unmatched support for him.  

“There’s a strong community within the college,” Irwin said. “You go through classes with the same people and they all root for you and create a strong sense of belonging.”  

Participating in Future Educators

Irwin learned of the Future Educators program in one of his education classes, and he became part of its inaugural class in fall 2022. He credits the program for much of his success.  

It paves a path for students to become teachers and brings quality teachers to Springfield Public Schools (SPS). Students pursue an education program at Missouri State and upon graduation, they begin their teaching career at SPS. 

They receive financial aid, mentor support and additional teacher training. 

“The Future Educators program helped immensely with the financial burden of being an adult with a family trying to go back to school full time,” Irwin said.  

Becoming Rookie of the Year  

During his time in the Future Educators program, Irwin was mentored by Alicia Johnson, a first-grade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary. Irwin accepted a fourth-grade teaching job at Mark Twain in 2023.  

His family has a history of fourth grade teachers. 

“My aunt taught fourth grade for many years and so did my grandma, so it runs in the family,” Irwin said.  

In Irwin’s first year of teaching, he received SPS’ “Rookie of the Year” award, which honors a beginning teacher who builds meaningful connections with peers and gains critical skills. It is named after Disney Elementary teacher Malori McGhe, who died during her first year of teaching. 

In his acceptance speech at the Celebrate SPS event in April, Irwin thanked the teaching team he was a part of. He worked with Nicole Mccord and Rachel Dutton.  

“They gave me wise advice when I needed it, supported me in every way possible and made me an equal part of the team,” Irwin said. “But more than anything, they set the high bar for me to strive for.” 

Irwin also thanked his students and acknowledged what the year meant to him.  

“I, of course, need to thank my students for being patient, determined and trusting, and for learning that the Backstreet Boys are a crucial component of math instruction,” Irwin said. “It has been a surreal year watching my students grow, as I grew alongside them. This feels like a dream come true, because it is my dream come true.” 

Irwin will teach fifth grade in his second year as a full-time teacher at Mark Twain.   

Explore programs in the College of Education  

Filed Under: COE Alumni Tagged With: alumni, Drew Irwin, Elementary Education, Future Educators Program, Springfield Public Schools, Student Success

Getting ready to shape students’ futures

March 20, 2024 by Strategic Communication

A portrait of Aleila Cage

Aleila Cage has a passion for learning, equity and her community. She decided to pursue an education degree because she wanted to foster a safe space for all students. 

This semester, she is completing her student teaching at Springfield’s Reed Academy in 7th and 8th grade social studies. 

“Student teaching has been a roller coaster of events,” Cage said. “Middle schoolers keep you on your toes. Their perspectives and experiences give me a meaningful approach to teaching.” 

Cage was selected for the second cohort of the Future Educators Program. This partnership between Missouri State and Springfield Public Schools seeks to recruit, hire, and retain educators from diverse backgrounds to the district. 

Her time at Missouri State 

From St. Louis, Missouri, Cage transferred to MSU from Southern Baptist University after having positive experiences with the campus community. She is now in her last semester of the middle school education program. 

“The entire education program has had the most positive impact on me,” Cage said.  

At MSU, she has found professors who model what a good educator looks like. She notes Dr. Julie Steiger and Dr. Ashley Payne have played a major part in shaping her into the educator she is today. 

After graduating this spring, Cage plans on teaching middle school while pursuing a master’s degree in education.  

Engaging with the campus and larger community

Cage is the president of Missouri State’s NAACP chapter. She joined the NAACP because it is the largest civil rights organization in the country, and she is proud to be a part of their fight for equity. 

“The past, present and future of this nation is shaped by the NAACP,” Cage said.  

She is also vice president of Sigma Gamma Rho, a historically African American sorority. Cage resonated with this organization because it was founded by educators. She said she found a true sisterhood within her chapter of people who share her goals. 

Off campus, Cage is also a cheer coach at Central High School in Springfield and a pre-teen coordinator at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield. In this position, she develops programs and curriculum encouraging self-growth and healthy lifestyles for students aged 11-13.   

Offering some advice 

Her advice to those wanting to pursue education is to get organized, practice patience and be intentional.  

“Remember, you’re shaping the future,” Cage said.  

She believes education is one of the most important careers someone can engage in.  

“Be that person your younger self would need.” 

Learn more about education programs at MSU

Filed Under: COE Students, Middle School Education Tagged With: School of Teaching Learning and Developmental Sciences, Springfield Public Schools, student spotlight

Future Educators program continues to help Springfield community

October 30, 2023 by Strategic Communication

Future Educators with Dean Barri Tinkler and President Clif Smart.

Missouri State University began the Future Educators program in fall 2022, with seven students in the first cohort. 

Since then, two of the seven students began teaching in Springfield Public Schools (SPS). Plus, five students joined the program’s second cohort.   

Future Educators paves a path for students to become teachers and helps bring quality teachers to SPS. 

Two start their teaching journey 

This fall, Sam Johnson and Drew Irwin started teaching full time in Springfield, Missouri. 

Johnson graduated from MSU in spring 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She teaches kindergarten at Bingham Elementary.  

Originally from Houston, Texas, Johnson chose to stay in Springfield to teach thanks to the Future Educators program.  

Irwin is a post-baccalaureate student pursuing teaching certification and a master’s degree in elementary education. He plans to complete teacher certification requirements in December 2023 and hopes to finish his master’s degree by 2027.  

To fulfill his student teaching requirement, Irwin is the teacher of record for fourth grade at Twain Elementary, where his daughter attended and his son currently attends.  

“The Future Educators program boosted my skills and confidence as an educator through real-world training and guest presenters,” Irwin said.  

“I knew going into my first year of teaching there would be bumps along the way, but I’m able to take risks and put my full self into it knowing I have so much support from Twain, MSU and SPS.” 

Five more commit to teach local 

In August 2023, five students signed into the second Future Educators cohort.  

Megan Bolen, Aleila Cage, Malina Carnelison, Susan Cha and Symphony Darville will complete education programs at Missouri State, then teach in Springfield.  

Bolen found the program has already helped her grow as a future teacher. 

“The Future Educators program has been a great way for me to gain practical knowledge about education,” Bolen said. “I’ve been surrounded by like-minded students, educators and experts who have helped me explore new teaching opportunities.” 

Cha shared the program has helped her build meaningful relationships.  

“The program has allowed me to make connections within the Springfield School District for future employment, as well as new friendships where we can learn about the best teaching practices together,” Cha said.  

To Darville, the Future Educators program is a way to help improve representation for her community.  

“I only had one teacher of color in my 13 years of schooling in the SPS school system. The opportunity to be able to go back into my own community and be that representation for students as a Black woman is very special to me,” Darville said.  

About Future Educators 

The Future Educators program helps students from underrepresented and under-resourced backgrounds become educators. 

Future Educators participants complete a program in education at Missouri State. Upon graduation, they will begin their teaching career in SPS.  

They receive financial aid, mentor support and additional teacher training.  

Apply to be a Future Educator 

Filed Under: COE Alumni, COE Students Tagged With: Future Educators Program, Springfield Public Schools

MSU alumna goes above and beyond

September 6, 2022 by Strategic Communication

Christy Osborne's award.

Christy Osborne, a recent graduate of Missouri State University who teaches at Central Park Elementary, was recognized for her outstanding teaching.  

She was awarded the Teacher of the Year for the Monett School District.  

Osborne graduated from Missouri State in May 2022 with a master’s in elementary education and a graduate certificate in dyslexia. She is currently in her 10th year of teaching third grade.   

Osborne’s colleagues nominated her for the award because she goes above and beyond for her students.  

Using her passion to help others 

Several years into her teaching career, Osborne believed she had more to learn to be the best teacher for her students. She enrolled in the master’s program while teaching full-time. 

However, during the beginning of her coursework, she did not feel driven. She felt that her priorities needed to be fully on her teaching career, so she put the program on hold.  

She later noticed that some of her students were showing dyslexic qualities and realized she did not have the training to teach them.  

“The students felt dumb, and they thought something was wrong with them,” Osborne said. “I knew I needed more specialized training on how to help these students realize that they are smart and help them succeed academically.” 

When she discovered that Missouri State had a graduate certificate in dyslexia, she rejoined the program. She thought it was what she needed to help the struggling readers she sees every day.  

“Once I heard about the dyslexia certificate, I knew I had chosen the right college and picked up right where I left off,” Osborne said.  

During the last year of her program, she put what she learned from her studies into practice and won Monett Teacher of the Year.   

Asking for help to become a better teacher  

Throughout Osborne’s teaching career, she learned the importance of asking questions. 

“One of the most challenging aspects when I began teaching was asking for help,” Christy said.  

“Once I got my degree, I thought I should know exactly what I needed to do. I thought that if I asked too many questions, it meant that I was not a good teacher.”  

Osborne started talking with other teachers a few weeks into her first year of teaching and admitted that she felt overwhelmed. She discovered that she was not alone in her struggles.  

“After seeing teachers with years of experience still asking questions, I realized that in order to learn, you must continue to ask questions.”

Osborne’s ability to ask questions and admit when she needs help has allowed her to develop extraordinary teaching skills.   

She uses these teaching skills to help her students thrive in their academic and personal lives.  

“Making a difference in the day-to-day lives of my students is the most rewarding part of being a teacher,” Osborne said. 

“But to say that teaching is rewarding is not enough. Teaching students to be the best person they can be is the most important task teachers face.”  

As a recipient of the Monett Teacher of the Year award, Osborne has learned how to help students be the best version of themselves.  

Advice for future teachers 

Osborne advises future teachers to stick with their career through the difficult times. She said that teaching will be hard, physically and emotionally, and they will be thoroughly exhausted.  

But the challenges will be worth it. 

“The sparkle in the student’s eye when they overcome a struggle to understand something, the voice of confidence when the quiet student raises a hand to give an insightful answer and the smile on the students’ faces make the difficult parts of teaching seem so unimportant,” Osborn said. 

“These children are the future of our world. We make today better for our students; they make tomorrow better for all of us.”

Explore education programs

Filed Under: COE Alumni Tagged With: alumni, college of education, Elementary Education, Springfield Public Schools, Teacher of the Year

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