CertificationsEducational TestingLicensure Requirements
Today’s educators help shape tomorrow’s leaders. As the demand increases for highly qualified educators, College of the Ozarks’ Teacher Education Program’s vision statement is the guiding force which propels students toward their goal.
OUR VISION
The College of the Ozarks’ Teacher Education Program will provide innovative technique, academic rigor, clinical experience and ministry opportunities to commission faithful educators who will fulfill their calling.
Innovative Technique
By example and instruction, Team Ed will model:
Academic Rigor
By example and instruction, Team Ed will:
Clinical Experience
By example and instruction, Team Ed will provide:
Ministry Opportunities
The College of the Ozarks' Teacher Education program is accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students who complete an approved program of study will be eligible for teacher certification through the state of Missouri.
Please contact the Teacher Education Department for additional information at 417-690-2150 or dcopeland@cofo.edu.
Title: Professor of Education and Director of Teacher Education
Email: kswofford@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: EDU 213 The Call to Teach, EDU 373 Methods for Teaching Science, EDU 4002 Implementation of Elementary Best Practices, EDU 403 Early Childhood Leadership, EDU 4102 Implementation of K-12 Best Practices, EDU 413 Early Childhood Environment, EDU 433 Early Childhood Assessment and Instruction, EDU 441 Classroom Leadership, EDU 45V Student Teaching
Education: B.S., Southwest Missouri State University, 1996; M.S., Southwest Missouri State University, 1999; Ed.S., Southwest Missouri State University, 2002; Ph.D., University of Arkansas, 2009
Dr. Kara Swofford began teaching in the Education Department in the fall of 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. Kara 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. Dr. Swofford served as the Chair of the Education and Health Division from 2015-2024.
Title: Professor of Education and Education and Health Division Chair
Email: chardy@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: EDU 201 Classroom Observation, EDU 213 The Call to Teach, EDU 283 Linking Families with Community Resources, EDU 383 Methods of Teaching Social Science, EDU 393 Methods of Teaching Literacy in the Secondary School, EDU 4102 Implementation of K-12 Best Practices, EDU 4202 Implementation of Secondary School Best Practices, EDU 45V Student Teaching
Education: B.S., Evangel College, 1985; M.S., Drury University, 1996; Ed.D., Saint Louis University, 2003
Dr. Colleen Hardy joined the faculty at College of the Ozarks in fall 2017. Dr. Hardy earned a terminal degree at St. Louis University in Educational Leadership. She has over 30 years experience in education. During her 15 years in public education she worked as a classroom teacher, staff development specialist and a curriculum consultatnt. As a teacher preparation faculty member in higher education she has had the opportunity to teach, develop new programs, provide leadership, and present internationally. She worked extensively with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the development of a statewide assessment system and the review of teacher preparation programs. Dr. Hardy also serves as the Coordinator for Assessment in the Education Department.
Title: Professor of Education
Email: tkeith@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: EDU 213 The Call to Teach, EDU 313 Methods of Teaching Mathematics II, EDU 323 Methods of Teaching Literacy II, EDU 353 Instructional Interventions, EDU 4002 Implementation of Elementary Best Practices, EDU 4003 Best Practices in Teaching Elementary, EDU 4102 Implementation of K-12 Best Practices, EDU 45V Student Teaching
Education: B.S., Missouri State University, 1991; M.S., Lindenwood University, 2009; Ed.D., Lindenwood University, 2015
Dr. Tina Keith began her College of the Ozarks'career as a member of the education department faculty in fall 2012. She holds a M.A. degree from Lindenwood University, where she is also completed her Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership. She has 12 years of experience as a classroom teacher, most recently in fourth grade, and nine years as a Library Media Specialist. Dr. Keith also serves as a co-sponsor for the S-MSTA (Student Missouri State Teachers Association) organization on campus.
Title: Associate Professor of Education
Email: kmoore@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: EDU 213 The Call to Teach, EDU 223 Methods of Teaching Literacy I, EDU 333 Analysis in Curriculum & Methods of Teaching, EDU 363 Methods of Teaching Literacy in Content Fields, EDU 4002 Implementation of Elementary Best Practices, EDU 4003 Best Practices in Teaching Elementary, EDU 4102 Implementation of K-12 Best Practices, EDU 45V Student Teaching
Education: B.S., Southeast Missouri State University, 2000; M.Ed., Evangel University, 2011; Ed.D., Evangel University, 2018
Dr. Kerry Moore joined the faculty at College of the Ozarks in Fall 2013. Dr. Moore graduated with an Elementary Education/Early Childhood degree from Southeast Missouri State University and completed her Masters in Reading Education as well as her doctorate in Educational Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction at Evangel University. Kerry's twelve year teaching career includes teaching kindergarten and second grade, as well as serving as a Reading Recovery/CIM Interventionist.
Email: cpatrick@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: EDU 211 Classroom Participation, EDU 213 The Call to Teach, EDU 253 Methods of Teaching Mathematics I, EDU 343 Methods of Teaching Literacy III, EDU 4102 Implementation of K-12 Best Practices, EDU 4202 Implementation of Secondary School Best Practices, EDU 423 Educational Assessment & Data Based Decision Making, EDU 45V Student Teaching
Education: B.S., Missouri Southern State University, 1998; M.S., Missouri State University, 2001; Ed.D., Lindenwood University, 2015
Dr. Christy Patrick holds a Master of Arts degree from Missouri State University and earned her Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University. She joined the Education Department faculty in 2018. Christy has over 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher, with varied experiences in kindergarten, third grade, sixth grade and junior high science. Dr. Patrick serves as a co-sponsor for the S-MSTA (Student Missouri State Teachers Association) organization on campus.
Title: Associate Professor of Library Science and Library Media Specialist
Email: Simmons@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Information Literacy
Education: B.A., School of the Ozarks, 1989; M.A., University of Missouri, 1990
Gwen Simmons joined the C of O faculty in 1991 as a media specialist in the library and is currently the library director. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history at the School of the Ozarks and a master’s degree in library science at the University of Missouri. She also serves as sponsor of Kappa Delta Pi, the honor society for teacher education majors.
Title: Assistant Professor of Library Science
Email: cwiley@cofo.edu
Education: B.A., Asbury College, 2005; M.A., Michigan State University, 2010; M.S., University of Kentucky, 2018
Chip is the Collection Development and Instruction Librarian. He has a BA from Asbury College (KY), MA TESOL from Michigan State University, and an MS in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. He spent five years serving in China teaching English as a foreign language in Beijing, Qufu, Changchun, and Siping.
Title: Administrative Assistant and Teacher Certification Officer
Email: dcopeland@cofo.edu
Mrs. Donna Copeland joined the Education Department at College of the Ozarks in the fall of 2022. Mrs. Copeland earned her Bachelors of Science in Communication degree at Evangel University. She brings 25 years experience in higher education. Mrs. Copeland coordinates the daily operations of the Education office, verifies requirements for state certification, supervises student works, and assists the Director of Teacher Education and the Education faculty.