Instant Impact

News from Baylor University's Moody School of Education

June 25, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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School of Education Honors Outstanding Teacher-Education Students

Student award recipients with SOE Dean Shanna Hagan-Burke. Back row l-r: Amy Heick, Will McNierney, Dean Hagan-Burke, Navy Casady, Samantha Jones. Front l-r: Kaitlyn Genzer, Laura Workman, Ellie Ramsey, Anna Garner, Audrey Nolen

Student award recipients with SOE Dean Shanna Hagan-Burke. Back row l-r: Amy Heick, Will McNierney, Dean Hagan-Burke, Navy Casady, Samantha Jones. Front l-r: Kaitlyn Genzer, Laura Workman, Ellie Ramsey, Anna Garner, Audrey Nolen

by Gabriela Garcia

Baylor School of Education (SOE) recognized nine new or soon-to-be graduates as outstanding students at the 40th annual Recognition Banquet on May 15, 2025. Seniors were honored for their excellence in academics and fieldwork in education programs and their readiness to impact the world.

Baylor SOE senior award recipients (biographies below) for 2025 are:

  • Navy Casady – EDICUT Preservice Educator of the Year Award
  • Kaitlyn Genzer – Dolores Coker Phi Delta Kappa Award: Outstanding Student in Education
  • Samantha Jones – Lorena B. Stretch Award: Outstanding Student in Elementary Education
  • Will McNierney – M. L. Goetting Award: Outstanding Student in Secondary Education
  • Amy Heick – Outstanding Student in Middle Grades Education
  • Laura Workman – Outstanding Student in EC-12 Special Education
  • Anna Garner – Outstanding Student in Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
  • Ellie Ramsey – Outstanding Student in English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Audrey Nolen – Outstanding Student in Gifted and Talented Education Continue Reading →

June 18, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Spring issue of Baylor Impact now online

Students in the Baylor TIP program work in engineering classThe newest issue of Baylor Impact newsletter (Spring 2025) is now online. If you are an SOE graduate and did not receive a newsletter in the mail, please let us know by emailing BaylorImpact@baylor.edu. To make sure you don’t miss any future communications, you can also update your information online at this link: Update Your Information

This Impact issue features exciting news about SOE programs, faculty, students, and alumni who are making a difference.

  • The cover story, Promising Futures (photo above), shares how the School of Education’s scholarship program is removing barriers associated with income so that more high-ability students can participate in Baylor TIP (Talent Identification Program) through the Baylor Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.
  • Dr. Mark Brown, president of Tuskegee UniversityMeet Dr. Mark Brown, a 2022 EdD graduate who is making history as the first Tuskegee University graduate to be named the institution’s president. A retired two-star Air Force major general, he was previously chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid. Read about his educational journey, how he managed to earn an EdD while working full-time, and his vision for the future of education. (Photo courtesy of Tuskegee University)
  • Dr. Jimmy WilliamsonBeloved SOE professor and former interim dean Dr. Jimmy Williamson and his family have established a new scholarship fund to benefit graduate students preparing for leadership in K-12 schools. The James L. and Glenda Williamson Endowed Scholarship Fund in Educational Leadership was created in loving memory of and tribute to Glenda, a Baylor graduate and longtime educator like Jimmy. The family gathered for a signing ceremony (and family picture) at the Hurd Center.
  • Baylor students standing in from of the Tower Bridge in LondonThe SOE’s Interns in England program is celebrating its 40th anniversary! Learn about the latest program updates from co-program director Dr. Kelly Johnston, who actually was a student participant. And yes, there’s a picture of her from 2004 — with some local English students and Dr. Tony Talbert — co-director then and now. You can also find out all of the other places where SOE students can study abroad.
  • Plus, we’ve got lots of photos from events in the SOE, a message from the Dean, news of faculty research, awards for faculty and students, and more! Continue Reading →

June 13, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Tracey R. Jones Receives ESC Region 12 Bilingual ESL Community Partner Award 

Dr. Tracey Jonesby Gabriela Garcia

Dr. Tracey R. Jones, clinical assistant professor in the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum & Instruction, received the Bilingual ESL Support Award from Region 12 Education Service Center. The award was given to recognize her various contributions and partnerships with Baylor and Region 12 school districts. Jones specializes in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and bilingual education; she teaches the SOE’s ESL (English as a Second Language) certification courses.

Jones said the recognition, which she received on May 12, 2025, came as a total surprise. “They were sneaky,” Jones said with a laugh. “They just said, ‘Why don’t you come to our annual luncheon?’ and then they gave me an award.” Continue Reading →

June 4, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor School of Education Launches Innovative Online MS and Certificate Programs for Digital Learning Leaders

Pat Neff Hall at Baylor Universityby Elizabeth Pearson

Baylor University is launching fully online graduate (MS) and certificate programs to prepare professionals for careers in digital learning and instructional design. Applications are open now, and classes begin in the fall of 2025.

These three new programs will launch in the fall:

Programs are 100% virtual, offer accelerated pathways and hands-on lab experiences, and provide immersion in the latest emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.

Read the full story on the SOE’s Online Learning Website.

May 28, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Joshua Smith Receives Baylor Outstanding Staff Award

Dr. Joshua Smith

by Elizabeth Pearson

Dr. Joshua Smith, assistant director of the Research and Writing Development Center (RWDC) for Baylor School of Education’s EdD in Learning and Organizational Change (EdD-LOC) and associate graduate faculty member, was named one of the seven recipients of the Baylor 2025 Outstanding Staff Award. The EdD’s Research and Writing Development Center offers EdD-LOC students research and writing support as they compose dissertations, conference presentations, publications, and grant applications.

The award was presented by Baylor University President, Dr. Linda Livingstone, at the annual Staff Awards Ceremony on April 29. The prestigious university-wide honor recognizes Smith’s extraordinary contributions to the university’s academic mission and his unwavering dedication to student success. Continue Reading →

May 22, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Grace Casper Receives Baylor Outstanding Staff Award

Grace Casper

by Ivette Wilhelm

Grace Casper, program coordinator at the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, received a 2025 Baylor Outstanding Staff Award. This university-wide recognition honors a select group of staff members each year who go above and beyond in supporting Baylor’s mission through exceptional job performance, servant leadership, and contributions to both campus and community.

The award was presented April 29 by Baylor University President, Dr. Linda Livingstone, in a heartfelt ceremony held at Truett Seminary. Casper was selected from a competitive pool of employees who receive the Baylor PLUS recognition, demonstrating outstanding achievement, alignment with Baylor’s mission, and a spirit of dedication to others. The Outstanding Staff Award recognizes those whose work exemplifies excellence and leaves a lasting impact on the university and beyond — providing the PLUS in the Baylor experience. Continue Reading →

May 15, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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SOE Business Office Receives Baylor Team Staff Award

Business Office staff Casey McNeil, Emma Stonecipher, Meg Hoefer, Ashleigh Herr, and Leone Moore (photo by Sahira Kodra)

Business Office staff (l-r) Casey McNeil, Emma Stonecipher, Meg Hoefer, Ashleigh Herr, and Leone Moore (photo by Sahira Kodra)

May 15, 2025

Five members of the School of Education’s Business Office —Meg Hoefer, Ashleigh Herr, Leone Moore, Emma Stonecipher, and Casey McNeil — received the Baylor University Team Staff Award in a ceremony on April 29. Baylor president Dr. Linda Livingstone presented the award, which is chosen based on nominations from colleagues during the prior year.

“We have an extraordinary business team whose expertise and productivity have enabled the School of Education to grow in ways we could not have imagined,” said Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, dean of the School of Education. “Often, we assume our best mentors are those we report to, but in reality, I have learned so much from their example. Our business team models respectful interactions with others and demonstrates how we should steward resources. I am grateful for the partnership I have with them because they make me better at my job.” Continue Reading →

May 9, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Tony Talbert Receives Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award

Dr. Tony Talbert

May 9, 2025

Dr. Tony Talbert, professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, was recognized with the Baylor Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenured Faculty. With a nearly 40-year career as a public school and higher education teaching scholar, Talbert has been and continues to be a significant influence in the lives of his students and on the success of learning communities.

“Dr. Talbert’s contributions to student success, innovations in teaching and research, and inspiration in the lives of the students and faculty with whom he serves render him an exceptional recipient of this prestigious award,” said Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, dean of the School of Education.

Talbert said he is called to be a teacher, so he approaches it with serious commitment and dedication, entering each classroom ready to meet the changing needs of students, schools, and communities. Continue Reading →

May 8, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Sarah Mire Receives Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award

Dr. Sarah Mire

May 8, 2025

Dr. Sarah Mire, LP, NCSP, LSSP, associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and faculty affiliate with the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, both in the School of Education, received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Scholarship for Tenured Faculty. Mire’s transformative research bridges families, school personnel, and medical providers to improve outcomes for children with autism.

Mire’s research directly addresses the challenges and complexities of autism, which frequently co-occurs with behavioral health conditions and school-based difficulties that necessitate coordinating support across multiple systems. Her dual credentials as a Licensed Psychologist (LP) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) provide her with insight into the nuanced needs of children and families. Continue Reading →

May 5, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Sandi Cooper Receives Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award

Dr. Sandi Cooper

May 5, 2025

Dr. Sandi Cooper, School of Education (SOE) associate dean for undergraduate education and professor of mathematics education in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Award for Significant Contributions to the Academic Community. Cooper has been at Baylor for 18 years and has spearheaded numerous initiatives ranging from a doctoral program whose oldest graduate is in her 80s to a summer math program for pre-kindergarten students.

“Dr. Cooper exemplifies the university’s motto of Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo as she demonstrates Christ’s light and love in her work as a teacher, scholar, leader, colleague, and outstanding ambassador of our beloved institution,” said Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, dean of the School of Education. Continue Reading →