2026 MACTE Spring Conference Agenda Day 1: March 5th

  • Registration Table located near conference center entrance.

  • Vendor Room: Open to conference guests from 8AM-5PM. Water, Coffee and Snacks

  • Presenters:

    Dr. Ken Boning (MACTE)

    Cassie Cordray

    Representatives of the Missouri community college teacher education programs will meet to discuss topics specific to their programs.

  • Presenters:

    Christi Bergin, Research Professor Emerita, University of Missouri; Jen Foster, Senior Program Coordinator, eMINTS

    Joy Roos, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Missouri

    Prosocial Education is an approach that can improve preservice and in-service teachers’ enthusiasm and their students’ behavior and learning. We provide evidence and strategies.

  • Presenters:

    Nabat Erdogan, Associate Professor, University of Central Missouri

    Yuankun Yao, Professor, University of Central Missouri

    This session presents a step-by-step process for designing intercultural classroom scenarios and transforming them into AI-generated video simulations to prepare interculturally and globally responsive teachers.

  • Presenters:

    Buddy Alberson (MACTE)

    Marjorie Tanner (DESE)

    Please send your questions to: https://forms.gle/r4m3aYE8UqdAYLxW8

  • Presenters:

    Christina Edholm, Mental Health Training and Outreach Specialist, Missouri Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Beth Kania-Gosche, Chair, Department of Teacher Education, Missouri University of Science and Technology

    This session explores how Mental Health First Aid can be embedded into teacher education programs to better prepare educators to recognize, respond to, and support student mental health needs.

  • Presenters:

    Natalie Bolton, Associate Professor, University of Missouri - St. Louis
    Dawn Thieman, Graduate Research Fellow, University of Missouri - St. Louis

    This session highlights ways educator preparation programs can help teacher candidates use AI thoughtfully, emphasizing standards-aligned instructional decision-making, ethics, and professional judgement.

  • Presenters:

    Beth Kania-Gosche, Professor and Chair of Education, Missouri S&T
    Daryl Fridley, Coordinator, Educator Preparation, DESE

    New to the state? New to your job? Just confused about all the acronyms? We'll start at the basics.

  • Presenters:

    Jeni Vieselmeyer, Missouri Southern State University, Clinical Field Director, Certification Officer and Master Instructor

    This session highlights immersive, scenario-based instructional practices that build resilience, skill, and confidence in preparing teacher candidates to navigate challenges within the evolving teacher landscape.

  • Presenters:

    Annice McLean, MAT Program Director
    Dr. Ching-Wen Chang, Educational Technology Program Director
    Dr. Krista Tate, MATL/SETL Program Director, Missouri State University, College of Education

    Explore how AI-powered chatbots provide instant student support, reduce repetitive questions, improve communication, and help build resilient teacher education programs through ethical, practical, student-facing applications.

  • Presenters:

    Dr. Beth Kania-Goche, Missouri S&T, MACTE President

    Dr. Daryl Fridley (DESE)

    Dr. Fridley will provide a DESE update and make himself available for Q&A. Please send your questions to: https://forms.gle/r4m3aYE8UqdAYLxW8

  • Presenters:

    Julie Smith Sodey, (MACTE)

    Please send your questions to: https://forms.gle/r4m3aYE8UqdAYLxW8

  • Presenters:

    Jill Arnold, Associate Professor of Elementary Education, Truman State University

    Session considers reading laws in application to higher education courses and classroom practices. It is a lot to consider, but teaching literacy is simple, right?

  • Presenters:

    Michelle Kilburn, Ph.D., Full Professor of Criminal Justice, SEMO
    Samuel Duncan, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Educational Administration, SEMO.

    This interactive session explores school threat dynamics, social media influences, case studies, and research findings; engaging educators to consider effective responses, safety, and student well-being.

  • Presenters:

    Kim Nuetzmann, MACTE

    Field and Clinical Experiences representatives will discuss current topics impacting teacher education candidates. Key agenda topics will include evolving student teaching requirements, best practices and accountability measures in virtual supervision, and policies governing candidates’ paid work during clinical placements. Through collaborative dialogue, participants will explore strategies and share ideas to enhance placements and partnerships. Please send your questions to: https://forms.gle/r4m3aYE8UqdAYLxW8

  • Presenters:

    Dr. Manda Foster, Assistant Professor of Education, Columbia College
    Dr. Ariel Robinson, Assistant Professor of Education and Child Development, Columbia College

    Discover how simulations boost student engagement and learning across all certification areas. Explore current research and practical implementation strategies for enhancing classroom instruction.

  • Presenters:

    Mike McBride, Associate Director of Accreditation, Northwest Missouri State University
    Tim Wall, Dean, College of Education, Health & Human Services, Northwest Missouri State University
    Joseph Haughey, Professor, Northwest Missouri State University

    This follow-up presentation will review the 2024 AAQEP Accreditation Leader Survey, including quantitative and qualitative analyses, to determine factors related to accreditation leader success.

  • Presenters:

    Laurie Kingsley, Assistant Dean of Teacher Education, University of Missouri - Columbia
    Bridget Murphy, Data Coordinator, University of Missouri - Columbia

    This presentation shares findings from a withdrawal survey and follow-up interviews illuminating experiences and barriers influencing persistence and completion among teacher preparation non-completers.

  • Presenters:

    Dr. Kristy Roberts, Assistant Professor, Missouri Baptist University

    Teacher candidates create standards-aligned elementary science and social studies curriculum websites using Google Sites, shifting from textbook consumers to content creators through authentic, OER-based coursework.

  • Presenters:


    Dr. Ramona Stowe, Department Chair, School of Education, Avila University
    Dr. Sue Ellen McCalley, Professor, School of Education, Avila University
    Dr. Jessica Kamuru, Associate Professor, School of Education Avila University

    Using Teaching with AI- A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning, we will discuss how to use AI strategically as teacher educators.

  • Presenters:

    Laurie Kingsley, MACTE

    Tim Wall, MACTE

    Join us for an opportunity for Deans and Unit Leaders to gather, provide feedback and support, and tackle common challenges and opportunities in Missouri educator preparation. Please send your questions to: https://forms.gle/r4m3aYE8UqdAYLxW8

  • Presenters:

    Gina Paese, Director of Teacher Education and Assistant Teaching Professor, UMKC

    Drawing on community focus groups, this session explores answerability in teacher education and demonstrates how community dialogue informed course redesign, partnerships, and pedagogical practice.

  • Presenters:

    Dr. Casey Echelmeier, Assistant Professor of Education, Westminster College

    This presentation shares different engagement strategies the Westminster College Educator Preparation Program implements with teacher candidates during classroom instruction.

  • Please join us in the hotel lobby bar for social hour and an opportunity to meet and network with your colleagues from across the State.

  • Keynote Speaker:

    Eryca Neville, Ph.D, Principal, Frederick Douglass High School, Columbia Public Schools

    During an era when major shifts in policy happen daily, it is essential that educational professionals stay grounded in purpose. This interactive discussion will empower educators with tools to embrace change and remain committed to the profession that love so dearly.

2026 MACTE Spring Conference Agenda Day 2: March 6th

  • MACTE Business Meeting, Organizational updates and future plans, MACTE AWARDS & RISE Announcements

    And Bacon!

  • Vendor Room: Open from 8AM - Noon

    Please join us for Water, Coffee and Snacks!

  • Presenters:

    Beth Kania-Gosche, Professor and Chair of Education, Missouri S&T

    How can we integrate that advocacy into publishable work, either in a scholarly or a broader outlet?

  • Presenters:

    Abbie Kaufmann, M.Ed., RYT-500, ICF Certified Coach, Wellness Coach & Speaker

    Equip future educators with nervous system regulation tools grounded in science and somatic practices. Transform stress into strength for sustainable teaching careers and thriving classrooms.

  • Presenters:

    University of Missouri-St. Louis, Post-Doctoral Research Fellows: Dr. Pallavi Aggarwal, Dr. Taylor Lawson-Smith, Dr. Jamie Martin, Dr. Adriana Martinez, Dr. Dawn Thieman, Dr. Kim Starkey, Dr. Jacob Steiss, Dr. Philip White

    Post-Doctoral Fellows working in St. Louis schools provide considerations for districts and schools making external partnerships with a lens of translating research into practice.

  • Presenters:

    Ken Boning, Teacher Education Program Coordinator, Jefferson College
    Laurie Kingsley, Assistant Dean of Teacher Education, University of Missouri-Columbia

    Missouri law requires a statewide 60-credit-hour associate-level pathway designed to transfer seamlessly from community colleges into public four-year elementary education programs. While there is strong interest in moving this work forward, questions remain regarding alignment with DESE Elementary Education competencies, field experiences, course scope, and the capacity of four-year programs to meet remaining state requirements. This facilitated working session will bring together representatives from community colleges and four-year institutions to establish a shared understanding of the proposed 60-hour framework, surface key questions and constraints, and identify areas of alignment and consensus. The session is intended to support transparent dialogue and collective problem-solving rather than to finalize program decisions (which will occur at the state level).

  • Presenters:

    Dr. Cindy Whiston Education Department Chair and Associate Professor of Education Culver-Stockton College & Dr. Lindsay Uhlmeyer Master of Education Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Education Culver-Stockton College

    Explore how Ron Clark Academy’s House System and The Amazing Shake can enhance teacher preparation programs, fostering engagement and real-world professional skills in future educators.

  • Presenters:

    Douglas Fiore, Dean, College of Education, University of Central Missouri

    This session teaches participants how to lead with their strengths to create a culture that focuses on what people do naturally and well.

  • Vendor Room: Open from 8AM - Noon

    Please join us for Water, Coffee and Snacks!

  • Presenters:

    Julie Bryant, Professor of Education, Southwest Baptist University
    Rebekah Crites, Certification Officer and Clinical Placement Coordinator, Southwest Baptist University

    This session explores the science and practice of brain breaks, offering practical strategies to boost attention, engagement, and learning in classrooms of any age.

  • Presenters:

    Enrique Pareja, Associate Professor, Truman State University
    Maria Pareja, Ph.D. Student, University of Missouri.

    Our presentation proposes, based on the analysis of existing literature, a practical framework for addressing culture-related aspects of educational practice and policy development.

  • Presenters:

    Cynthia Schairer-Kessler, Northwest Missouri State University
    Linda Gray Smith, Northwest Missouri State University
    Travis Dimmitt, Northwest Missouri State University

    We explore the importance of preparing our TCs to use AI for lesson design to improve efficacy and equity, especially for rural teachers

  • Presenters:

    Stephanie Clark (MACTE)

    The Chair of the Advocacy Committee will provide legislative updates and MACTE's Day on the Hill activities. Please send your questions to: https://forms.gle/r4m3aYE8UqdAYLxW8

  • Presenters:

    Elizabeth Thorne Wallington, Associate Professor, Missouri Western State University
    Adrienne Johnson, Professor, Missouri Western State University

    This presentation outlines a literacy scope and sequence for preservice teachers grounded in language development, interdisciplinary research on reading instruction, and state policy goals.

  • Presenters:

    Dr. Jill Wright, Assistant Professor, Southeast Missouri State University

    This session examines how excessive educational technology reshapes the reading brain, influencing teacher candidates’ literacy habits and the classrooms they will lead.

  • Please fill out the post conference survey.