Jan. 17, 2023

Book Series Release – Teaching Women’s and Gender Studies

“We (Kathryn and Jill) believe that Women’s and Gender Studies calls us to: think critically across disciplines and points of view; offer and celebrate more complete stories of history, culture, and identity; affirm a multiplicity of lived experiences and perspectives; and work to further the cause of justice and equity while also reducing oppression and marginalization.” (Fishman-Weaver K. and Clingan J., 2023, pg. 15)  The book series they had to write. Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST) is not often taught in the middle and high school classroom. Mizzou Academy faculty and coauthors Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver and Jill Clingan hope to…

Jan. 15, 2023

Specialist Spotlight—Lisa Boyer

On January 5, 2023, Mizzou Academy held a Gratitude Luncheon.There, the team shared celebrations from 2022, recognized milestone work anniversaries, and announced the winter Honor Award nominees and recipient. The Honor Award is a peer-nominated recognition for excellence in our school community. It is open to all members of our team and awarded quarterly. This quarter, the team celebrated many outstanding nominees, including Ericca Thornhill, Brian Stuhlman, Tami Regan, Jessie Arnold, Chevi’ White, Julia Dunn, and Virginia Poehlman.  Executive Director Kathryn Fishman-Weaver announced that “many of our nominees and even our winner this quarter couldn’t be with us in person…

Jan. 14, 2023

An Eye for Excellence – Edna Conness, Student feature

At first, Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, executive director of Mizzou Academy, thought her voicemail message was spam. “The message mentioned a big national award and fancy camera kit prize. I thought it was one of those too good to be true messages, but then the caller named Edna Conness, our student, and I knew it was real.”  Edna Conness, a first year high school student with Mizzou Academy, was recently named the winner of the School Photographers of America (SPOA) National Student Photography Contest in the Creative category. SPOA is the national trade association for school photography and yearbooks.  Edna is the…

Dec. 21, 2022

Advocacy and Friendship, A Music Lesson with Lou Jobst

Children and Louis Jobst When Mizzou Academy needed a music teacher for a special children’s event on self-advocacy and friendship, Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver knew just who to call. Lou Jobst, known to many as “Sweet Lou,” has been bringing music to our team for almost seven years, and he’s been bringing music to children and schools for over four decades. At Mizzou Academy, where Jobst teaches language arts, he often writes and records songs for students who need a little extra encouragement or celebration.  “Lou helped us start poem-in-your-pocket day at Mizzou Academy,” says Fishman-Weaver. “And while that is…

Dec. 17, 2022

Better Together: Teaching and Learning Conference in São Paulo, SP

It might have been the way Matheus Nucci Mascarenhas held his grandmother Marilia’s hand as the two navigated to our conference stage. It might have been the way Marilia beamed at her grandson the whole time. Regardless, 120+ conference attendees laughed and cried as these two told their story during the opening session for the Mizzou Academy annual teaching and learning conference in Brazil.  This month, Matheus completed his high courses in the Mizzou Dual Diploma program where he studies at Notre Dame (Campinas, SP).  He and Marilia presented on the continued need to work for women’s rights. This…

Nov. 23, 2022

A Long Commitment to Gifted Education

Did you know that Mizzou Academy was the first online school to get an Advanced Placement course approved by the College Board? More than twenty years ago, Karen Scales, who now serves as Mizzou Academy’s global English Language Arts division chair, approached the College Board about launching Advanced Placement or AP courses at Mizzou Academy. At the time, the College Board was—skeptical. “A core objective of AP learning involves collaborative scholarship,” explains Scales, “the kind of meaningful thought work that happens when learners come together to ask questions, discuss, explore, and debate. The College Board wondered how that could…

Nov. 21, 2022

Right at Home at Mizzou

Lara Stefani, Mizzou Academy Alumna, Continues her Undergraduate Studies at Mizzou Lara Stefani, Mizzou Academy Alumna Although she is 5,000+ miles from home, Lara Stefani is no stranger to Mizzou, since she graduated from the University of Missouri High School in December 2021. As a high school student, Lara earned two high school diplomas before enrolling as a first year biochemistry major at Mizzou. The Dual Diploma Program at Mizzou Academy enables international students to earn both a diploma from their home country and a U.S. diploma. In Lara’s case, this meant a high school diploma from the University…

Nov. 1, 2022

Mizzou Marketing Project in Maringá

“It takes a lot more planning to put together a food stand than I imagined,” shares Laura Fabri about a recent school social studies project. “We have to prepare more than just the product we are going to sell and the selling itself. …Offering a good service can count more than having a good product because clients are happier and feel more welcome when we are nice and gentle, when we pay attention to them!”  These are invaluable lessons for anyone interested in business, service, or entrepreneurship. Laura, a Dual Diploma high school student at Colégio Objetivo (Maringá, PR) learned…

Oct. 24, 2022

$7.5 million grant helps Mizzou Academy redevelop training videos for childhood care providers and professionals

Mizzou Academy will redevelop existing training courses and create new on-demand video-based courses.

Oct. 21, 2022

Fall Honor Award Celebration – Congratulations to Paul Craigmile!

Paul Craigmile is a Columbia local and traces his educational roots to our Columbia Public Schools (shout out to Russell Blvd. Elementary, West Middle School, and Rock Bridge High School) and Mizzou. While he has deep local roots, his work with Mizzou Academy includes giving feedback to students from around the globe. Paul excels at this, and his talents for compassion, encouragement, and teaching have not gone unnoticed.  On Wednesday, October 19, Paul Craigmile was named the Mizzou Academy 2022 Fall Honor Award Recipient. The announcement came at an enthusiastic zoom meeting and was a “complete surprise” to Paul who…