Beginning Teacher Assistance Program
Sustaining Educator Growth
Ecosystem of Empowerment for Early Career Educators
Questions? Contact MNEA Professional Practice Program Services Administrative Assistant Olivia Compton (olivia.compton@mnea.org, (417) 569-1401).
Registration Closed.
The forest is not a forest without individual trees, and individual trees are never as strong standing alone as they are surrounded and supported by the whole forest. Similarly, education cannot exist without individual teachers, and individual teachers will have a better chance of growing into strong, experienced educators with the support and guidance from their forest of fellow educators.
All teachers with a Missouri Initial Professional Certificate (IPC) must participate in a beginning teacher assistance program (BTAP) before upgrading their certificate.
Much like the mechanisms that create the ecosystems that regulate the health of our planet, MNEA has overhauled our Early Career Educator Program to include the following:
- Network: Just as trees develop interconnected root systems, MNEA’s Ecosystem of Empowerment for ECEs ensures that the initial establishment of a teacher's professional networks is not only within their district but also expands to their region, state, and national resources and support systems.
- Shade and Shelter: For growth and stress reduction, tree canopies provide share and shelter for each other. Regional facilitator-mentors are accomplished teachers and leaders who provide guidance for growth and experience in how to navigate typical challenges of the teaching profession.
- Stability: Through the Ecosystem of Empowerment programming, the stability of consistent meetings with facilitator-mentors and support from fellow ECEs is a anchor for participants—much like the mutual support of trees growing close together.
- Resource Sharing: The transfer of resources helps everyone in a network and within the Ecosystem of Empowerment, Facilitator-Mentors and ECEs regularly share all resources for teachers to best support all students. Resource sharing leads to the promotion of overall forest—teacher—resilience.
- Belonging: All educators deserve to be supported and encouraged and empowered by fellow educators; this space is for you and every early career educator.
The Ecosystem of Empowerment for ECEs programming includes the following:
- Regional sign-up at this webpage (sign ups will be available starting in July 2024 and will continue at the beginning of each semester hereafter)
- Any teacher who needs ECE support or who is seeking their BTAP—whether they are a member or not—can sign up for this programming.
- Participants will be grouped regionally and paired with two accomplished teachers as regional facilitator/mentors who will support them during the entire two years of the program. Participants self-select into these regions.
- You will get all courses for the program upon registration; these courses cover the topics in the BTAP Rule (5 CSR 20-400.385).
- The courses that you will be enrolled in at MNEA Learns will be gradually released each semester; these courses cover the topics in the BTAP Rule (5 CSR 20-400.385). Participants will be enrolled in the program for 2 years in accordance with state requriements (5 CSR 20-400.385). This is a DESE approved program.
Missouri Rules and Regulations, 5 CSR 20-400.385, requires teachers to take a Beginning Teacher Assistance Program that is two (2) years long in order to upgrade their Initial Certification to a Career Continuous Certification. Missouri NEA previously had the “I Can Do It” training that did serve this purpose.
Program Details
Cost: $75 for Members, $100 for Non-Members.
Registration Limit: 35 registrants per region each semester
Regions
- East + Northeast
- Central + North Central
- West + Northwest
- South
Semester Registration Dates:
- Fall Semester - Registration Deadline: Aug. 15
Registration Closed.
Program Progression Outline
Meet your Regional Facilitator-Mentors
The 2024-2025 regional facilitator-mentors are a team that not only spans various continuums of content, roles, and experience, it is compiled of an infinite amount of love, respect, compassion, and support for fellow educators. MNEA's team is comprised of accomplished teachers, rockstars, who are truly at the top of their craft. Click the regions below to learn more about them.
Central + North Central
Amanda Brewer
Assistant Professor of English and Education, ELA Teacher University of Central Missouri
Amanda Brewer taught 7th, 8th, and 10th grade English Language arts for 11 years in diverse schools in suburban Texas. She has an M.Ed. in Reading Education and a Ph.D. in Reading (Literacy and Learning). She is currently an assistant professor of English Education at the University of Central Missouri, where she teaches classes in adolescent literature, composition and evaluation, and supervises pre-service teachers' field experiences.
Nokomis Tilford
Missouri Options and Special Education Teacher, Columbia Public Schools
Nokomis Tilford is an accomplished educator with a strong background in special education and educational leadership. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Nokomis has dedicated her career to supporting and advocating for students with diverse needs. She works in the Columbia Public School district in Columbia MO.
Throughout her career, Nokomis has held several key positions that showcase her versatility and commitment to education. She has served as a 9-12th grade English Teacher, where she helped students enhance their academic skills and achieve their educational goals. In addition, she has been involved in the Social Skills Intervention Program, working closely with students to develop crucial social and emotional skills.
Currently, Nokomis is the District Coordinator for MO Options, a program designed to provide alternative pathways for students to succeed academically and personally. In this role, she coordinates efforts across the district to ensure that students have access to the resources and support they need to earn their high school diploma and achieve their post-secondary goals.
In addition to her role with MO Options, Nokomis is the Coordinator for placing pre-service teachers with host teachers, playing a critical role in the development and training of future educators. She is also the Co-Chair of the Leadership Council, where she collaborates with colleagues to drive strategic initiatives and foster leadership within the educational community. Furthermore, Nokomis serves as the Co-Chair of the Student Support Team, working to address and support the diverse needs of students through collaborative problem-solving and intervention strategies.
East + Northeast
Leah Hayes
Special Education Educator, Special School District
Leah Hayes is an educator from St. Louis, Missouri, married to Joshua Hayes, and a mother of five children. She began my career with St. Louis Public Schools in 1999. In 2005, Leah moved to Austin, Texas, to work with the Austin Independent School District until 2013. During this time, she had the privilege and opportunity to co-found Paul Habans Charter School, now known as Dorothy Heights Charter School, where she served as the Director of Special Education.
In July 2014, Leah returned to St. Louis and joined the Special School District, where she works to make a significant impact on students and teachers. Leah currently is the Recording Secretary for the SDNEA Executive Board and is actively involved as an accessibility reviewer and essential skills MAP assessment writer. Additionally, she serves as the Secretary of the Professional Development Leadership Team for the Special School District.
Beyond Leah's professional commitments, she is an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member, volunteers at her local church, and co-hosts a Special Education podcast for MNEA with her colleague Lindsey. She has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Central Missouri and a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO.
During her personal time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, cycling, hiking, and going to the movies. Leah prays her passion and dedication to education, her community, and her commitment to family define her best as a leader and advocate in education.
Lisa Kickbusch
Retired 31-Year Elementary Educator, Pattonville School District
Lisa Kickbusch taught for 31 years in the Pattonville School District in St. Louis County. During her career Lisa was active in NEA at the local, state, and national levels. She was a local president and a member of the local negotiations team. She served on the MNEA and NEA Board of Directors, held positions on many committees, and attended numerous RA’s. Currently, she is a member of the MNEA-Retired Executive Council, MNEA Professional Practice Advisory Committee, and Pattonville School Board member.
South
Dr. Jenny Hernandez
Instructional Coach, Math Educator, NBCT, Hollister School District
Dr. Jenny Hernandez is a National Board Certified Teacher who lives and works in Hollister, Missouri. She currently serves as a district instructional coach, specializing in supporting early career educators and their mentors. Prior to working at the district level, she was an elementary classroom teacher for ten years.
Dr. Hernandez works to elevate education in Missouri through a number of avenues. She has contributed to several Missouri DESE committees and work groups focused on grant writing and math resource development. As president-elect of the Missouri Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, Dr. Hernandez is at the forefront of advancing math education in the state.
Her instructional leadership and expertise in effective teaching are highly sought after. Dr. Hernandez frequently speaks at state and regional conferences and has served on Missouri’s State Selection Committee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Additionally, she mentors National Board Certification candidates as a Professional Learning Facilitator and delivers high-quality math professional development in collaboration with the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Further demonstrating her commitment to teacher support and development, Dr. Hernandez serves as the local NEA president, advocating for educators' needs and professional growth. Through these diverse avenues, Dr. Hernandez continues to make significant contributions to the field of education in Missouri.
Stephanie Kramme
High School Librarian, Secondary ELA Educator, Waynesville School District
Stephanie is a second-year high school librarian and a 14-year ELA teacher (7th grade one year, 13 years at the high school level). For seven years, she taught British and World Literature and Composition as a dual credit high school/college-level course. Stephanie served on various leadership committees, mentored other teachers, and is currently pursuing her EdS degree with a focus on curriculum.
When Stephanie is not at school, you will find me spending time with my friends and family. She has multiple great nephews and one great niece who keeps her very busy with their sports and activity schedules. When she is at home, she is most likely passing time reading a book or watching Ted Lasso.
West + Northwest
Jessica Claerhout
Elementary and Middle School Art Educator, Park Hill School District
Jessica Claerhout currently teaches middle school art in the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, MO. Prior to that, she taught elementary art in Kansas City Kansas Public Schools for seven years and was an education intern and art teacher for a combined six years at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Her time spent in elementary and secondary education has also included hosting intramurals, reading and math intervention, designing and coordinating the yearbook, co-leading student council, teaching remotely online, and coaching Girls on the Run. Her varied experiences in content, audience age, and setting - including elementary in the urban core; middle school in a high-performing suburban district; and all ages in a world-class museum - have given her a unique and expansive perspective in the field of education. Her teaching approach is easygoing and flexible, and she strives to draw connections through art across the curriculum.
She completed her B.A. in Art, Education, and Environmental Studies at Prescott College in Prescott, AZ, and her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has two children, a husband, and a dog - all keeping her busy with various athletic commitments, excursions, and daily walks. She enjoys fitness, painting, photography, writing and piano, and occasionally shows her work as an artist.
Ally Swisher
Elementary and Middle School Counselor, Elementary Educator, Park Hill School District
Ally Swisher began her educational career in 2008 teaching at the elementary level, and within a couple of years she was teaching at the middle school level. Due to her passion for making connections and wanting to play a different role with her students, she pursued her Master’s Degree in School Counseling. For the past seven years, she has been a School Counselor at the elementary and middle school level for the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, MO. She inspires students and staff members by fostering a culture of kindness, encouragement, and positivity. Her light-hearted approach and genuine empathy make her a valuable asset. One of her favorite parts of her job is working alongside classroom teachers who need creative ideas to support their most challenging students. In addition to being a counselor, Ally also serves on her building’s AVID Site Team, writes curriculum for the district, and coaches girls cross country.
Ally enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two daughters, and you will most likely find her outdoors, watching a Kansas City sporting event or volunteering in her community.