Dr. Beth Kania-Gosche, formerly the associate dean of the School of Education and professor of education at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, has been named founding chair of the department of teacher education and certification at Missouri S&T. Her appointment begins July 1.

Kania-Gosche takes over from Kelly Carter, who has served as interim chair since Jan. 1, 2018, when Missouri S&T’s teacher education and certification program was elevated to department status. Carter also served as interim director for S&T’s teacher education program from 2016 to 2018 and oversaw all academic and human resources functions of the unit. She will continue to serve the department as associate teaching professor and coordinator and supervisor for all student teaching experiences.

Dr. Kania-Gosche, president of the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, presented Outstanding Beginning Teaching Awards at their March 2019 conference. Photo by Alicia Lincoln.

Kania-Gosche joined the Lindenwood faculty in 2009 as an assistant professor in the doctorate of education (EdD) program. In 2010, she became supervisor of graduate research for EdD, and in 2013, she was named assistant dean of accreditation and faculty development for the School of Education, serving until 2016 when she was promoted to associate dean.

Kania-Gosche brings a host of relevant experiences to S&T, including managing national accreditation initiatives, implementing new educator standards and assessments from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, facilitating the creation of new online graduate degree programs, redesigning curriculum portfolios, partnering with area school districts, and statistically improving student recruitment, enrollment and retention.

“Dr. Kania-Gosche is precisely the accomplished and experienced leader that we have been seeking to serve as the founding chair of S&T’s newest academic department,” says Dr. Stephen Roberts, vice provost and dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. “We are immensely grateful to Kelly Carter for transitioning S&T’s teacher education program into a comprehensive department with new opportunities for state-approved teacher certification in natural sciences, social sciences, economics, mathematics and elementary education and with additional certifications in progress. The department is well positioned to further advance S&T’s reputation for graduating some of Missouri’s most inspiring educators, and Dr. Kania-Gosche is arriving at the perfect time to help lead this effort.”

Kania-Gosche holds a Ph.D. in educational studies from Saint Louis University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a bachelor of science degree in English education from Southeast Missouri State University. She is currently president of the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the author or co-author of 12 peer-reviewed journal publications, many focused on the integration of technology into adult learning.

“My goal for S&T’s newly established department of teacher education and certification is to continue to provide high quality teachers to the region through collaboration with school districts and faculty across the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business,” says Kania-Gosche. “I look forward to expanding school district partnerships and programs that benefit children in classrooms and to help recruit future STEM teachers.”