Dr. Mindi Richardson
Chair | Director of Clinical Experiences and Certification
Murphy Hall 111N
(816) 271-5951
mrichardson5@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Mindi Richardson
Chair | Director of Clinical Experiences and Certification
Office: Murphy Hall 111N
Office Phone: (816) 271-5951
Email: mrichardson5@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 203 Participation in Teaching I
EDU 377 School Experience in Teaching
EDU 408 Elementary Student Teaching III
EDU 409 Secondary Student Teaching III
EDU 426 Experience Teaching Cross-Categorical Disabilities
EDU 427 Cross-Categorical Disabilities Student Teaching
EDU 462 Early Childhood Student Teaching III
EDU 562 Participation in Teaching – Secondary Education
EDU 603 Internship in Teaching Secondary Education
EDU 607 Professional Student Teaching Secondary Education
EDU 608 Student Teaching Secondary Education
Dr. Richardson is a university alum with 24 years of experience spanning elementary education, reading and math intervention, coaching, and school administration. She currently serves as the department Chair and Director of Clinical Placement & Certification, where she plays a vital role in preparing future educators for success in today’s classrooms. Her research includes 3D Coaching and innovative strategies for equipping teachers to thrive in the modern educational landscape.
Teri Holt
Administrative Assistant
Murphy Hall 111A
(816) 271-4332
tholt4@missouriwestern.edu
Teri Holt
Administrative Assistant
Office: Murphy Hall 111A
Office Phone: (816) 271-4332
Email: tholt4@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Benedict Adams
Associate Professor
Murphy Hall 111K
(816) 271-4304
badams16@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Benedict Adams
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Urban Education Studies and Teacher Education, Indiana University
M.S., Education, Indiana University
B.A., Education, Suffield University
Office: Murphy Hall 111 K
Office Phone: (816) 271-4304
Email: badams16@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 202 Introduction to Education
EDU 308 Multicultural Education
EDU 376 Applied Teaching Methods and Management
EDU 430/521 Teaching Students with Reading Deficits
EDU 561 Induction to the Teaching Profession
EDU 661 Multidisciplinary Approaches in Differentiated Instruction
EDU 678 Master Educator Experience – I
EDU 679 Master Educator Experience – II
Dr. Benedict L. Adams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education at Mo West, as a Curricular Scholar, Education Foundations Scholar, and Multicultural Specialist. He is a graduate of Indiana University in Urban Education Studies and Teacher Education.
Dr Adams was awarded the Outstanding Teaching Certificate of Excellence from Indiana University in 2014. In 2024, he received the Certificate of Outstanding Teacher Educator from Missouri Western State University and in 2025, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award for Exceptional Teaching Skills and Service to Students and the Community.
Dr Adams is the author of eleven peer-reviewed articles and two book chapters. Dr. Adam’s research interests include Teaching and Teacher Education, Learning and Instruction, Curriculum Studies, Teacher Education and Socialization, Diversity Studies, and Historical and Social Foundations of Education.
Dr. Ollie Bogdon
Associate Professor
Murphy Hall 111J
(816) 271-4302
obogdon@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Ollie Bogdon
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Studies: Education and Public Affairs & Administration, University of Missouri Kansas City
M.S., Education, Cornell University
B.S., Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
Office: Murphy Hall 111J
Office Phone: (816) 271-4302
Email: obogdon@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 150 Psychological Development for Children & Adolescents for Educators
EDU 202 Introduction to Education
EDU 230 Science Content for Elementary Teachers
EDU 330 Science Methods for Elementary Teachers
EDU 331 Instructional Media and Technology
EDU 662 Teacher Leadership in Differentiated Instruction
EDU 678 Master Education Experience I
EDU 679 Master Education Experience II
HON 195 Honors Colloquium
Dr. Ollie Bogdon, PhD, is an Associate Professor entering her 8th year with Mo West and earned her BS and MS degrees from Cornell University, researching an outreach conservation education program and gains in 5th grade standardized State testing scores; her PhD is from University of Missouri Kansas City where she researched use of conservation educational resources to supplement classroom teachings and teacher environmental attitudes. Dr. Bogdon’s strong science education background comes in part from her research and work with the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and having worked as an Educational Specialist with NASA. She enjoys providing rich community based applied learning experiences in her science education courses, along with teaching educational technology, developmental psychology, and supporting graduate students completing their Capstone Projects.
Dr. Bogdon serves on the Association of Science Teacher Education (ASTE), conference proposal review team, is a member of National Science Teaching Association’s (NSTA) Rural Advisory Board, and is a founding member of Kansas City Environmental Education Network (KCEEN) through the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC).
Ronda Chesney
Advanced Instructor
Murphy Hall 111R
(816) 271-4449
rchesney1@missouriwestern.edu
Ronda Chesney
Advanced Instructor
Professional Certifications & Teaching Endorsements: Early Childhood Special Education
M.S., Education, Baker University-Baldwin, Kansas
B.A., Education – Emphasis in Early Childhood, Missouri Western State University-St. Joseph, Missouri
Office: Murphy Hall 111R
Office Phone: (816) 271-4449
Email: rchesney1@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 300 – Intro to Early Childhood Education
EDU 313 Family, Community, and Schools: Partnering for Young Children
EDU 332 – Integrating the Arts in Classrooms – developed and taught
EDU 334 – Play Based Instruction – developed and taught
EDU 374 – Early Childhood Literacy
EDU 376 Applied Teaching Methods and Management
EDU 400 – Seminar in Early Childhood Education
EDU 403 – Elementary Education and Human Relations
Ronda Chesney is an Advanced Instructor at Missouri Western State University. She specializes in the area of early childhood education. Several of the courses she teaches are held in schools to allow students to have real classroom experiences with children to better prepare them for their future teaching career.
Alesia Hamilton
Instructor
Murphy Hall 111J
(816) 271-4302
ahamilton11@missouriwestern.edu
Alesia Hamilton
Instructor
M.Ed., Baker University
Reading Recovery Certificate, University of Illinois
Early Childhood (prek-3) Certificate, Hannibal-LaGrange College
B.S., Elementary, Hannibal-LaGrange College
Office: Murphy Hall 111J
Office Phone: (816) 271-4302
Email: ahamilton11@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 313 Family, Community, and School: Partnering for Young Children
EDU 351 Mathematics Methods for Early Childhood & Elementary Educators
EDU 360 Assessing and Individualizing Reading
EDU 375 Teaching Reading in Elementary School
Alesia Hamilton is an instructor in the Education Department. As a 32- year veteran in elementary classrooms, her passion is to inspire future teachers by helping them learn how to instill a love of learning in their students, while promoting relationship-building, autonomy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills within the school community and beyond.
Dr. Adrienne Johnson
Professor
Murphy Hall 111M
(816) 271-4303
ajohnson76@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Adrienne Johnson
Professor
Ph.D./M.A., Linguistics, University of Kansas
M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction, National Louis University
B.A., Psychology & Spanish, University of Denver
Office: Murphy Hall 111M
Office Phone: (816) 271-4303
Email: ajohnson76@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught (undergraduate and graduate):
TSL 467/661 Second Language Acquisition
TSL 469/562 Materials and Assessments for ELLs
TSL 632 Introduction to Linguistics TSL 664 Language & Culture
TSL 665/667 Teaching English Learners Elementary and Secondary Practicum
EDU 150 Psychological Development for Children & Adolescents for Educators
EDU 348 Language Development for Educators
EDU 678 Master Educator Experience – I
EDU 679 Master Educator Experience – II
Dr. Adrienne Johnson is a Professor in the Department of Education and an internationally recognized expert in supporting the academic and linguistic needs of multilingual students, from birth through adulthood. Dr. Johnson has degrees in linguistics, education, psychology, and Spanish and researches the factors that affect language acquisition and the academic success of multilingual learners. Dr. Johnson teaches graduate and undergraduate courses at MoWest related to TESOL, language development, and general education.
Dr. Haruka Konishi
Associate Professor
Murphy Hall 111Q
(816) 271-4365
hkonishi@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Haruka Konishi
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Education, Specialization in Learning Sciences, University of Delaware
B.A., Psychological Studies, Temple University Japan
Office: Murphy Hall 111Q
Office Phone: (816) 271-4365
Email: hkonishi@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 150 Psychological Development for Children & Adolescents for Educators
EDU 314 Issues & Trends in the Education of Young Children and the Management of Programs for Young Children
EDU 316 Organizing, Developing, and Managing Environments for Young Children
EDU 332 Teaching in the Integrated Areas
EDU 344 Early Childhood Assessment
EDU 333 Science and Mathematics for Young Children
EDU 678 Master Education Experience I
EDU 679 Master Education Experience II
Dr. Haruka Konishi is an associate professor and co-director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Haruka specializes in early childhood education and her research focuses on the intersection of language and social emotional development in young children.
Dr. Jennifer Malone
Assistant Professor
Murphy Hall 111I
(816) 271-5629
jmalone3@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Jennifer Malone
Assistant Professor
M.S.E. Special Education K-12 University of Missouri Kansas City
Ed.D. St. Louis University
Office: Murphy Hall 111 I
Office Phone: (816) 271-5629
Email: jmalone3@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 315 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child
EDU 411 Methods of Teaching the Student with Cross-Categorical Disabilities
EDU 474/574 Collaborating with Families and School Personnel for Inclusion
EDU 472/572 Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication in Inclusive Settings
EDU 515 Fundamentals and Strategies for Teaching Learners with Exceptionalities
EDU 561 Induction to the Teaching Profession
EDU 675 Assessment and the Identification Process
EDU 667 Teaching Critical Thinking through Technology, Collaboration and Differentiated Instruction
EDU 678 Master Education Experience I
EDU 679 Master Education Experience II
Dr. Malone is a first-generation college graduate. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in special education from Truman State University in 1985. In 1992 she earned an MA in special education and in 1996 an EdS in educational administration, both from the University of Missouri. She earned her EdD in 1999 from Saint Louis University in the area of educational leadership.
Dr. Malone’s scholarship encompasses the shortage of Black teachers serving special education students, dismantling the self-fulfilling prophecy encroached upon students of color, uncovering the disparities of the graduate records exam concerning Black scholars, best instructional practices in higher education, and tackling the achievement gap.
Dr. Malone is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children and Black Women in Higher Education (Kansas City Chapter).
She is a proud, lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and is active in the Xi Tau Omega chapter in Grandview, Missouri. In addition, she serves on the board for Bridge Leadership Academy.
Dr. Daniel Shepherd
Professor
Murphy Hall 111L
(816) 271-4366
dshepherd@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Daniel Shepherd
Professor
Ed.D., Ed. S., Ball State University
M.Ed., Indiana Wesleyan University
B.A., English Education, Cedarville University
Office: Murphy 111L
Office Phone: (816) 271-4366
Email: dshepherd@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 225 Educational Psychology
EDU 250 Assessment and Data Analysis for Teachers
EDU 340 Elementary Social Studies Methods
EDU 370 Behavior Management
EDU 565 Instructional Methods for Secondary Learners
EDU 662 Teacher Leadership for Differentiated Instruction
Dr. Dan Shepherd is a Professor of Education at Missouri Western State University, where he currently teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, including Classroom Management, Assessment and Data Analysis, Elementary Social Studies Methods, Instructional Methods, and Educational Psychology. His courses are well-received by students, who describe his teaching as engaging and practical. He has also served as Department Chair and Assistant Dean, contributing to program leadership and development.
Before entering higher education, for more than two decades, he held key roles in public schools, including assistant superintendent for student learning (curriculum and instruction), elementary and secondary principal, and high school English teacher. This extensive background informs his commitment to bridging academics and practice for classroom and school improvement.
Internationally, Dr. Shepherd has served as a U.S. Department of State Specialist, providing trauma-informed instruction training to educators in Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine. He has delivered popular keynote addresses and workshops to teachers and educational leaders in Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Honduras, Thailand, China, South Korea, and Singapore, focusing on teacher leadership, brain-friendly instruction, and relationship-centered pedagogy.
An accomplished author, he wrote Students of Trauma: A Handbook for Classroom Teaching in an Environment of Suffering and regularly publishes peer-reviewed articles in respected journals. Dr. Shepherd earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Ball State University and is dedicated to equipping educators with practical, research-based strategies that foster success for every student.
Dr. Kipton Smilie
Professor | Education Graduate Program Director
Murphy Hall 111P
(816) 271-5952
ksmilie@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Kipton Smilie
Professor | Education Graduate Program Director
Ph.D., History, Philosophical and Social Foundations of Education, University of Kansas
M.A., English, University of Kansas
B.S., Education, Pittsburg State University
Office: Murphy Hall 111P
Office Phone: (816) 271-5952
Email: ksmilie@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 202 Introduction to Education
EDU 311 Secondary Reading Techniques
EDU 365 Methods for K-12 Learner
EDU 376 Applied Teaching Methods and Management
EDU 404 Seminar in Secondary Education and Human Relations
EDU 511 Content Area Literacy
EDU 521 Teaching Students with Reading Deficits
EDU 604 Seminar for Student Teaching Professionals
EDU 611 Research Development and Literature Analysis
EDU 678 Master Educator Experience – I
EDU 679 Master Educator Experience – II
Dr. Kipton D. Smilie is professor and graduate program director in the Department of Education at Missouri Western State University. His primary areas of scholarship include curriculum studies and conceptions of schooling and education through philosophical, social, and historical frameworks.
Dr. Elizabeth Thorne-Wallington
Associate Professor | Assessment Director
Murphy Hall 111F
(816) 271-5977
ethorne@missouriwestern.edu
Dr. Elizabeth Thorne-Wallington
Associate Professor | Assessment Director
Ph.D., Education, Washington University-St. Louis
M.P.A., Public Policy, University of Georgia
B.A., Political Science, University of Missouri-Columbia
Office: Murphy Hall 111F
Office Phone: (816) 271-5977
Email: ethorne@missouriwestern.edu
Courses Taught:
EDU 110 Education Orientation Workshop
EDU 325 Introduction to Reading and Language Arts Methods
EDU 328 Children’s Literature
EDU 678 Master Educator Experience – I
EDU 679 Master Educator Experience – II
EDU 483/583 Practicum in Elementary Reading
EDU 484/584 Practicum in Secondary Reading
EDU 500 Education Orientation Workshop
TSL 468/560 Methods of Teaching ELLs
TSL 664 Language & Culture
Dr. Elizabeth Thorne Wallington is an associate professor at Missouri Western State University, teaching language and literacy development courses. She also serves as Assessment Director for the Missouri Western Education Department. Liz received her Ph.D. in Education from Washington University in St. Louis in 2014. Her research considers education policy with a focus on school context and geospatial modeling.