Avila University – Insights and Resources for Educators
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Thoughts and profiles from Avila University’s School of Education professors and graduates.
- Avila Graduates Awarded MACTE Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award
Avila School of Education graduates, Katie Mooneyham and Brooke Wells were awarded the MACTE Outstanding Beginning Teacher award. “We know that Brooke and Katie are making impacts at their schools in Districts not too far from Avila—in Blue Springs and… - Avila Full Circle: Angela Danley Returns to Serve as Director of Clinical and Field-Based Experiences
Angela Danley, Ph.D., returns to Avila as the new Director of Clinical and Field-Based Experiences, where she earned her Special Education degree and obtained Missouri certification in elementary education and Special Education K-12 in 1996. “As a first-generation college student,… - Five Latinx Avila School of Education Students Receive $3k GrantsFive Latinx Avila School of Education students were each recently awarded a $3000 grant to assist with the educational cost of pursuing their dream of being an educator. The grant was awarded to Avila University by the Missouri Department of…
- Too many college students never finish their degrees. This Kansas City program helps.
A Google search on higher education news today will turn up countless references to college “entry,” “access,” and even a call for “free college.” The federal government recently announced a student debt forgiveness program which will benefit millions of Americans…. - Avila Commencement Celebrates 391 New Graduates
Avila University Welcomes its 105th Graduating Class During commencement exercises on May 14 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, the Colleges of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Science & Health, and Professional Schools held individual graduation ceremonies for undergraduate and… - Q&A: Payton Kinnison, MA.Ed ’22
Payton Kinnison was working a job that wasn’t fulfilling and knew she wanted a career. “Before I started my cert and MA, I was working in the millwork industry as a purchaser (really putting that English major to use lol)… - Q&A: Vickery Ottaway, current student
Vickery Ottaway knew she wanted to earn her initial teaching certification and then proceed into a master’s program. Avila offers the opportunity for aspiring teachers to earn their certification, start working as a classroom teacher, and then earn their master’s… - Education Takes Lead for Women in Leadership PositionsWomen have been battling an uphill climb into leadership positions for decades and are slowly making headway, but gender equality remains an issue. Women are still fighting against gender pay disparities, a lack of opportunities and promotions against their male…
- Q&A: Danielle Sloop, MA.Ed ’22
Danielle Sloop, Master of Arts in Education ‘22, was looking for a career change when she found Avila’s MAEd geared toward working professionals. “By offering evening and online courses, I could easily take classes that fit my schedule. The program… - Q&A: Kate Sweeney, MA.Ed student
Kate Sweeney is a mom, a full-time employee, and a current Avila student in the Master of Arts in Education program. She earned her initial teaching certification from Avila in 2020 and continued toward her master’s. Sweeney is currently an… - Q&A: Megan Carnes MA.Ed
Megan Carnes graduated from Avila with her BA and decided to return to earn her teaching certification and Master of Arts in Education. “Avila’s program is an undiscovered gem in the metro area,” said Carnes. Carnes is now a Journalism… - Q&A: Pamela Burham MA.Ed ’19
Pamela Burham, MAEd ‘19 began her career in the field of Criminal Justice, but couldn’t find a place that sparked any passion. Her sister encouraged her to look into Avila’s education program after her own wonderful experience. After researching several… - Q&A: Heather Chaszar MA.Ed ’17
Heather Chaszar was changing careers to education and looking for a program that offered course flexibility while meeting her needs as a working adult. She found Avila’s Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum & Instruction. “After completing the required… - Q&A: Carolyn Brown MA.Ed ’22
Carolyn Brown is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Education at Avila University. Earlier in her career, she completed the teacher certification program. “After completing the certification program at Avila, I decided that it would be beneficial to continue… - Q&A: Brett Beneke MA.Ed ’19
Brett Beneke completed his teaching certification in Secondary Education at Avila and returned a few years later to earn his Master of Arts in Education in 2019. Brett said, “One of my undergraduate professors at KU raved about Avila’s approach… - Q&A: Ashley Rowland MA.Ed, ’21
After a nine-year career in the field of criminology, Ashley Rowland felt a push toward a new direction. “I needed a program that would allow me to continue to meet my obligations to my family while still being able to… - Education Blog: Which Teachers Are Most in Demand in Missouri?You might hear on the news about teacher shortages, but have you ever wondered what types of teachers are most in-demand? At the end of each year, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education publishes a Teacher Shortage Report…
- Education Blog: Helping Students Move Beyond Making Lessons Plans Through a Broader Lens
Dr. Sue Ellen McCalley, Professor in the School of Education at Avila University, has expertise is in special education, literacy, and learning theory. She has traveled internationally to consult on developing programs for children with special needs in China, Russia,… - Q&A: Samantha Collins MA.Ed, ’19 and 2020 Kansas Horizon Award Winner
Samantha Collins, MA.Ed is a 2019 graduate of Avila University’s School of Education. A career-changer, Collins went through Avila’s initial teaching certification program before continuing on to earn her Master’s degree. “When I decided to make a switch to be an… - Education Blog: Burnout, Teacher Retention, and the Well-Being of Preservice Teachers
Dr. Jessica Kamuru, Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Avila University, has some wonderful insight on teacher burnout and the well-being of preservice teachers, and how they can take care of themselves in the classroom. As a professor who… - More than 20 Complete Teaching CertificationMore than 20 students in the Avila School of Education earned their teaching certifications this December, with nearly half already working in the classroom. While the process for those students completing their certification requirements—or completers—remained the same, the need for…
- Q&A: Andy Jett, Ed.D., Dean of the College of Professional SchoolsAndy Jett, Ed.D., recently joined Avila University as its new Dean of the College of Professional Schools, overseeing the Schools of Business, Education and Visual & Communication Arts (VisCom), as well as the Avila Advantage Institute for Professional Studies. We asked Andy…
- Andy Jett Named Dean of College of Professional Schools
Avila University announced Andy Jett, Ed.D. as its new Dean for the College of Professional Schools, effective April 6…. - Avila’s M.A.Ed. Program helped Maasen find ‘Dream Job’
Mark Maasen, M.A.Ed. ’19 knows opportunity sometimes comes when you’re least expecting it. After more than a decade of acting and serving tables during the evenings in order to help raise his daughter, a chance encounter with a graduate of…
School of Education Newsroom
- Avila University Earns National Accreditation of Educator Preparation ProgramsCo-authored by, Sarala Rijal, student writer and contributor Avila is proud to announce another milestone in the university’s commitment to excellence in education – an…
- Avila Graduates Awarded MACTE Outstanding Beginning Teacher AwardAvila School of Education graduates, Katie Mooneyham and Brooke Wells were awarded the MACTE Outstanding Beginning Teacher award. “We know that Brooke and Katie are…
- More Than 330 Undergraduates Named to Fall 2022 Dean’s ListAvila University recently announced its Fall 2022 Dean’s List recipients, recognizing the academic excellence of the more than 330 undergraduate students who earned the distinction….
- Avila Full Circle: Angela Danley Returns to Serve as Director of Clinical and Field-Based ExperiencesAngela Danley, Ph.D., returns to Avila as the new Director of Clinical and Field-Based Experiences, where she earned her Special Education degree and obtained Missouri…
- Five Latinx Avila School of Education Students Receive $3k GrantsFive Latinx Avila School of Education students were each recently awarded a $3000 grant to assist with the educational cost of pursuing their dream of…