On Nov. 11, 2011, the University of Missouri College of Education announced a significant gift to establish the Dr. Lois Knowles Math Education Scholarship in honor of Lois Knowles, a national leader in mathematics education who taught at the MU College of Education for nearly 40 years. She was the first female full professor in the MU College of Education and she received the MU Distinguished Faculty Award in 1968.

“My aunt, Lois Knowles, not only changed the course of my family’s life, but the lives of her students and everyone she came into contact with,” said Bob McFarland, Knowles’ nephew. “In the depth of the Depression, my mother was left to raise three young children alone when her husband left home and never returned. Aunt Lois bought us a nice home and gave us financial stability when our future was the darkest,” said McFarland.

“My wife, Barbara, and I are pleased to establish this scholarship in recognition of Lois’ lifelong dedication to teaching and learning, and her generous and compassionate spirit,” said McFarland. The McFarland’s also funded the Dr. Lois Knowles Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Math Education.

Knowles earned a bachelor’s degree in education, master of arts and doctor of education from MU. She taught elementary education for three years before joining the MU College of Education faculty in 1934 where she remained until she retired in 1971.

Knowles was a national leader in mathematics education and an accomplished author of mathematics education textbooks. She co-authored “Seeing Through Arithmetic” and conducted math workshops for teachers across the country. In addition, she held numerous leadership positions at the university and was a strong supporter of equality for women in higher education.

Ludie Dickeson, an MU College of Education alumna, fondly remembers Knowles as a teacher and a mentor. “She was always kind and encouraging to students,” said Dickeson. “I can remember education majors telling others to be sure to take a class from Dr. Knowles. Her influence inspired many to continue their career path in education. And her wisdom and validation of my love for teaching encouraged me to set high standards for myself and my students.”

“The MU College of Education is grateful for the ongoing support from Bob and Barbara McFarland in honor of Dr. Knowles,” said Dr. Daniel Clay, dean of the MU College of Education. “Dr. Knowles made many important and lasting contributions in the field of math education and this scholarship helps aspiring math education teachers carry on her legacy.”

Read more at: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/11/11/family-influential-math-educator-lois-knowles-announces-scholarship/

According to her hit song, every day is a winding road.  We’re glad that road led nine-time Grammy Award winner, Sheryl Crow to Columbia this weekend where she was honored by the University of Missouri with an honorary degree.  The recognition is one of the highest honors the university bestows. And was given to Crow during the Honors Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, May 14, 2011. 

A native of Kennett, Mo., Crow graduated from the MU College of Education in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.  She taught music in an elementary school in Fenton, Mo., prior to moving to Los Angeles to pursue her now celebrated career in music.

"Mine is the story of hard working perseverance, and perhaps a little luck thrown in, but mine is definitely the story of infinite possibility and if you take nothing away from my standing here please take away these two words infinite possibility," said Crow to 1,200 honors graduates Saturday morning.

Crow’s fame has allowed her to bring positive change and impact to her home state and the world.  She is a champion for music education in schools, supports a center for children in Kennett, and recently established The Sheryl Crow Imaging Center in Los Angeles to provide services for breast cancer patients.

“It is wonderful when we can recognize the outstanding achievements of one of our education graduates,” said Daniel Clay, dean of the College of Education.  “Ms. Crow is a shining example for our current MU students and future graduates.”

Honorary degrees are awarded to graduates or former students, who have achieved distinction. Degrees are also awarded to people who have rendered distinctive service to the state or the University, as well as people of high distinction from around the world.

MU faculty in the College of Education have developed curricula that uses a virtual world experience, similar to a video game, to help students with autism learn social competency. Faculty hope the project, called iSocial, will change the way kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder are taught.

Dr. Janine Stichter, professor of special education, has been working with students who have behavior disorders and children with autism for more than 20 years.  She is responsible for the development of the curricula in iSocial. When she began researching the curricula available for kids with special needs, she found it was very generic and limited. However, she says that iSocial meets specific needs for high-functioning students and the results have been astounding.

“Families were coming back saying, ‘wow what are you doing,’ ” says Stichter. “Teachers were coming to us and saying, ‘can we have whatever you’re doing? We are seeing changes at school.’ That really spawned that desire to keep going.”

Dr. Jim Laffey, professor of information science and learning technologies, engineered the virtual world and platform of iSocial.