MSU, Phelps Center to launch partnership this fall

Missouri State University's College of Education will partner with Springfield Public Schools this fall to expand learning opportunities at the Phelps Center for Gifted Education, 924 S. Kimbrough Ave.

The partnership is designed to support student learning and faculty efforts by sharing knowledge and resources, according to an MSU news release. Expanded activities will include classroom visits to Phelps, guest lecture opportunities for Phelps teachers in MSU classes, mentoring of Phelps students by Honors College students and outdoor classroom assistance from students in agricultural education courses.

"We have been working on our outdoor classroom over the past year, and we are really eager to make connections with the (MSU) agricultural department," Phelps Center Principal Lenae Lazzelle said in the release. "Being in close proximity to the university creates infinite learning experiences for our students outside of the school building and establishes an open line of communication with the faculty and students at Missouri State."

David Brown, acting associate dean of the MSU College of Education, said in the release that the college is actively pursuing opportunities for teacher candidates to interact with schoolchildren.

A six-person board of directors - with representatives from both institutions - will be established to oversee and enhance the partnership, according to the release.