Faculty

The faculty members in the College of the Ozarks Education department have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with our students. Our faculty members are committed to doing whatever it takes to see our students become reflective decision makers and effective teachers.

Each member of the faculty has taught for a number of years in the public schools, and therefore can share not only “book” knowledge with our students, but “practical” knowledge that will assist students in their goal to become successful educators.

Kara Swofford, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor and Director of Teacher Education

Kara Swofford began teaching in the Education Department in Fall 2007. She completed her undergraduate, masters and specialist degrees at Missouri State University and received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Arkansas. She taught at the elementary level for six years and served four years as a primary school principal.  In 2012, she was named as Director of the Teacher Education Program.

Danita Frazier, Ed.D. - Associate Professor

Dr. Frazier joined the faculty at College of the Ozarks in 2003. She obtained her masters degree in Educational Administration and her Specialist in Education through Missouri State University. She completed her doctorate at St. Louis University. Dr. Frazier was a public school teacher and administrator for 17 years, serving seven years as a classroom teacher and ten years as a middle school principal.  Dr. Frazier also serves as the sponsor for the S-MSTA (Student Missouri State Teachers Association) organization on campus.

Marcia Mahlman - Associate Professor

Marcia Mahlman completed her masters degree at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and has 17 years of experience as a classroom teacher. She began teaching at the College as an adjunct professor for our early childhood program and became a full-time faculty member in 2005.  Mrs. Mahlman currently serves as a co-sponsor for Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education.

Tina Brown - Associate Professor

Mrs. Brown began her College of the Ozarks career as a member of the Education Department faculty in Fall 2012.  She holds a Master of Arts degree from Lindenwood University, where she is also presently completing her Ed.D. (ABD).  She has 12 years of experience as a classroom teacher, most recently in fourth grade, and nine years as a Library Media Specialist.

Ryan Knight - Associate Professor

Ryan Knight completed his Masters degree in Educational Leadership at MidAmerica Nazarene University.  He joined the Education Department faculty in 2012, bringing experience as a classroom teacher and technology educator.  In addition, Mr. Knight has served the last eight years as an elementary school principal. 

Dori Rapinchuk - Department Secretary and Teacher Certification Officer

Dori Rapinchuk is our department secretary.  She handles the day-to-day operations of our office, verifies certification requirements for our majors, supervises our student workers, and assists the Director of Teacher Education. Mrs. Rapinchuk joined the Education Department in January of 2003 and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our program (drapinchuk@cofo.edu).

Contact Information

Dr. Kara Swofford or Mrs. Dori Rapinchuk
Education Department at College of the Ozarks
P. O. Box 17, Pt. Lookout, MO  65726
Phone:  (417) 690-2150
E-mail:  drapinchuk@cofo.edu