MACTE Elections FALL 2026
Nominee Statements
Nominees for MACTE Secretary
Dr. Karrie Snider
As a lifelong Missouri educator, I am honored to be considered for the MACTE Board of Directors as Secretary. I currently serve as Professor of Early Childhood Education and Associate Dean of the College of Education at the University of Central Missouri. My career began in the classroom, an experience that continues to shape my commitment to preparing future educators. Since 2007, I have served in higher education in a variety of instructional, research, faculty leadership, and administrative roles. My work has focused on advancing high-quality teacher preparation through program evaluation, accreditation, continuous improvement, and the development of innovative pathways into teaching for traditional and nontraditional students. My partnership efforts to expand professional pathways for early childhood educators and paraprofessionals were recognized with the 2025 State Children’s Champion Award from the Missouri Head Start and Region VII Associations. I have also served as President of the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children, provided leadership for statewide educator workforce initiatives, and currently serve on the Educator Preparation Technical Advisory Committee.
I value MACTE's role in connecting educator preparation professionals, strengthening partnerships, and advocating for the teaching profession across Missouri. I am deeply committed to addressing the challenges schools and educator preparation programs face in ensuring every classroom has a highly qualified teacher, while fostering opportunities for programs to innovate, collaborate, and collectively address the critical issues facing Missouri's educators. My experience in faculty governance and organizational leadership has reinforced the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and service in advancing the work of professional associations. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to MACTE's efforts to strengthen educator preparation, expand pathways into the profession, and support Missouri's current and future teachers.
Dr. Karrie Snider | Professor, Associate Dean
College of Education
University of Central Missouri
I serve as Chair of the Education Department and Professor of Music Education at Truman State University, where I have taught since 2014, after teaching music in Indiana and Minnesota. In my current role, I oversee our educator preparation programs, supervise student-teaching interns, and mentor graduate students on their research projects. Beyond the department, I've served as President Pro Tempore of Truman’s Faculty Senate and, with the Missouri Music Educators Association, as both Advocacy Chair and College/University Vice President. Those roles taught me how much a professional organization depends on clear communication, careful records, and follow-through. I’m interested in joining the MACTE board because the challenges facing teacher preparation in Missouri, from recruitment and retention to policy changes, are best met when institutions work together. I would welcome the chance to support that collaboration and to learn from colleagues across the state.
Jocelyn Alexis Stevens, DMA | Professor of Music Education
Chair, Education Department
Truman State University
I've been at Missouri State since 2018, and I currently serve as School Director of the School of Teaching, Learning, and Developmental Sciences, working alongside about 50 full-time faculty and staff, 1,000+ students, and our on-campus Child Development Center. I'm also an editor for the Journal of Educational Supervision.
What I value most about MACTE is that it makes all of us better. No program in this state can fix the teacher pipeline on its own, but together we can share what's working, learn from what isn't, and speak with one voice to DESE, policymakers, and our school partners. That kind of collaboration depends on good structure underneath it: clear records, timely communication, and a process members can trust. That's the work of the Secretary, and it's work I'd be glad to take on. As Wendell Berry put it, "Good work is our joy and salvation.
A. Minor Baker, Ph.D.
School Director & Associate Professor
School of Teaching, Learning, and Developmental Sciences
Missouri State University
Jocelyn Alexis Stevens, DMA
A. Minor Baker, Ph.D.
Nominees for Board Member Private Institutions
Alex J. Tripamer Ed.D.
Mary Saale
Dr. Michele A. Stanley
I have spent 32 years in public education as an elementary teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, and for the past eight years I have served Lindenwood University as an adjunct, assistant professor, and now interim dean of the College of Education and Human Services. Across both roles, I’ve seen firsthand how much our schools depend on a strong pipeline of well-prepared teachers. Recruiting talented students into the profession has become a central focus of my work at Lindenwood. I am interested in serving on the MACTE board because I believe the addressing the teacher pipeline is a challenge we can only meet together; but I also see this challenge as a meaningful opportunity for all EPPs to support the next generation of teachers. I would welcome the opportunity to bring a K–12 leader’s perspective to conversations about educator preparation, to learn from colleagues across the state, and to help strengthen statewide efforts that attract, prepare, and support the next generation of Missouri teachers.
Alex J. Tripamer Ed.D. | Interim Dean
Assistant Professor, Initial Teacher Education
College of Education and Human Services
Lindenwood University
As a dedicated educator, I proudly served Missouri public schools for 29 years as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. During that time, I also had the privilege of serving as an adjunct professor at Missouri Baptist University (MBU), a role that deepened my commitment to preparing the next generation of educators. Following my retirement from K-12 education, I joined MBU full-time and have continued to support educational excellence through higher education.
My initial position at MBU as Assistant Director of Early College Partnerships allowed me to remain closely connected to Missouri's K-12 schools. In this role, I collaborated with 52 school districts across the state to expand students' access to rigorous, high-quality college coursework while still in high school. These experiences reinforced my understanding of the importance of strong partnerships between P-12 and higher education institutions. Currently, I serve as Director of Field Experiences and Assistant Professor, where I work closely with teacher candidates, school partners, and faculty to support the development of effective, classroom-ready educators.
I share my professional experiences because they have provided me with a unique perspective on the critical importance of ensuring that every student has access to a well-prepared, highly effective teacher. High-quality teacher preparation programs are essential to the future of our profession, and I believe we have a collective responsibility to advocate for policies, practices, and standards that reflect research-based best practices, maintain high expectations for pedagogical excellence, and meet the needs of diverse learners.
It would be a tremendous honor to serve on the MACTE Board. I am committed to working collaboratively with colleagues across Missouri to strengthen educator preparation, support meaningful policy development, and cultivate a strong professional community dedicated to advancing excellence in teaching and learning. Together, we can amplify our collective impact on the educators and students we serve.
Mary Saale
Assistant Professor | Director of Field Experiences
Missouri Baptist University
I bring more than 25 years of experience in education, spanning PK–12 teaching, higher education, and educator preparation leadership. I currently serve as an Academic Clinical Specialist in the School of Education at Western Governors University (WGU), where I focus on strengthening clinical experiences, supporting program quality, and ensuring alignment with state and accreditation requirements. Previously, I served as Program Chair of Elementary and Special Education at WGU and as an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Teacher Education at Adrian College, where I led program development, accreditation initiatives, and partnerships with PK–12 schools. I hold a Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, serve as an accreditation reviewer for AAQEP and CAEP, and am currently a member of the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) Clinical Practice Advisory Panel.
I am interested in serving as the Private Institutions Representative on the MACTE Board because I value collaboration and recognize the important role private institutions play in preparing future educators. My experience across different educator preparation models and state contexts has given me an appreciation for the opportunities and challenges institutions face. I would welcome the opportunity to bring this perspective to MACTE, represent the interests of private institutions, and collaborate with colleagues across Missouri to strengthen educator preparation, clinical partnerships, and teacher candidate readiness.
Dr. Michele A. Stansley | Academic Clinical Specialist
Western Governors University