Truman State Education Department

Hooray for Parker and all the 2025-2026 MAE graduates!

Alumni Spotlight: Each year, the Rockwood School District selects three building-level Teachers of the Year. We’re proud to share that two Truman State University MAE alumni were honored! Congratulations to middle school vocal music educator Jennifer Houchins (LaSalle Springs Middle) and high school science teacher Sarah Moonier (Rockwood Summit High) on this incredible achievement. This recognition is another example of Truman State’s commitment to preparing exceptional educators.
Click the link below to watch these amazing educators receive their recognition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkqQHUERlGs&t=89s

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kristen Cypret, our new Assistant Professor of French this school year! We’re excited to have her as part of our Bulldog community!

On March 27, Truman State University welcomed more than 1,400 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students from the NEMO region to campus for the 15th Children’s Literature Festival. At the concluding banquet, the 2025 and 2026 recipients of the Drs. Kay Clapp and Donna Rhinesmith Children’s Literacy Award were honored. The 2025 recipients were Sharon Howe, a reading intervention teacher at La Plata Schools, and MAE student Gracie Neff. The 2026 recipients were Jessica Erwin, a supplemental communication arts teacher at Brashear Schools, and MAE student Mary Grace Schneller. We congratulate these individuals on their dedication to children’s literacy!

Truman faculty and Physical Education students attended the SHAPE America National Convention in Kansas City for professional development and networking opportunities supporting future physical and health educators. Attendees included ES faculty Julene Ensign and Melody Jennings, along with pre-MAE and MAE Physical Education students.

Participants explored sessions on K–12 pedagogy, curriculum design, student engagement, adapted physical education, and more. To top it all off, Truman’s College Bowl Team earned 3rd place out of 17 teams in the content-area trivia game! The group also connected with Truman alumni teaching in the Kansas City area. Great job representing Truman State!

Earlier this month, our faculty proudly represented Truman State at the MACTE Conference on March 12–13!
On Thursday, Drs. Arnold and Strange presented “Literacy: It Is So Simple, Isn’t It?”, sharing insights that sparked thoughtful conversations about literacy teaching and learning.
On Friday, Dr. Pareja and Maria Pareja presented “A Practical Framework for Cultural Analysis,” offering meaningful strategies for understanding culture through an educational lens.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share ideas, collaborate with fellow educators, and continue contributing to important conversations in teacher education. Congratulations to our presenters for their outstanding work!

Join our Graduate Gifted Education Info Session on March 26 at 4 p.m. via Zoom! Hear from Jeanne Harding, director of graduate studies and advisor for gifted education, about Truman’s program, certification requirements, and how you can support gifted learners.
Free to attend! Register here:
https://connect.truman.edu/register/GiftedWebinar03262026

The Office of Graduate Admissions is promoting three different master’s programs, each with its own informational session. The first of these sessions, covering careers in applied behavioral analysis, will take place Thursday, March 19 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. The webinar is free to anyone interested!

Register here: https://loom.ly/7n-Sqh4
Learn more about the info sessions here: https://loom.ly/2wCQe4M

You’re invited to the Children’s Literature Festival at Truman on March 27!
Join us for a day of storytelling and creativity featuring 12 incredible authors, interactive 30-minute sessions for 4th–6th grade students, and a special theatre performance of “Lions in Illyria.” Stick around for free public book signings (3–4 p.m.) or make it a full experience with an evening banquet alongside the authors ($20, register by March 25).
Spots fill fast! Pre-registration is required! Learn more and sign up at childrensliteraturefestival.truman.edu.

At the 2026 Missouri Music Educators Association Conference, two Truman State University alumni were recognized for their exceptional work in music education. Paul Rueschhoff was awarded the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award and Brad Balog was awarded the Outstanding Music Educator of the Year Award. This marks the third consecutive year that a Truman State University alum has won the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award! In 2025, Truman alum Chris Ramey received the award, preceded by Hannah Aubry in 2024. These consecutive honors highlight Truman State University’s continued excellence in preparing outstanding leaders in music education!