Oct. 8, 2025
Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning
Congratulations to Dr. Jill Peterfeso on the release of a new edited volume with Alexis Franzese. Jill is a Professor with an endowed chair at Guilford College, where she has taught for over 13 years. She also serves as a Mizzou Academy instructional specialist, sharing her wisdom and care with learners in our global high school English courses. The following book release story is based on a conversation between Dr. Peterfeso and Karen Scales, our Global Language Arts Department Chair. The idea for Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning, emerged from my (Jill’s) experiences…
Sep. 15, 2025
Mizzou Academy Hosts International Education Conference on Human-Centered Computer Interaction
“All learning starts with relationships,” said Amelia Howser, Director of School Counseling at Mizzou Academy. “When we are vulnerable enough to open up, we can make real connections in the classroom. This can start small with an introduction, emoji, fun fact, or interesting question.” She then invited the nearly 70 participants in attendance at the Mizzou Academy Educational Leadership Conference to share in the chat and break into small groups to practice introductions designed to build connections across our global learning community. Executive Director Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver set the 2025 conference theme, Human-Centered Computer Interaction. She shared, “At Mizzou Academy,…
Sep. 10, 2025
People-Centered Proctoring
Mizzou Academy Puts Students First in the Digital Age For many students, online learning has become second nature—they log in, access materials, submit assignments, and check their grades with ease. But when it comes to exams, the online environment often feels less certain, familiar, and safe. Online exam proctoring has traditionally relied on impersonal camera surveillance, which can heighten stress rather than support success. At Mizzou Academy, we believe instructional practices should be rooted in connection. This includes our approach to exams. That’s why our in-house proctoring team offers a testing environment that balances integrity with care.
July 24, 2025
“Wholehearted School Leadership” by Kathryn Fishman-Weaver Offers a Compelling Vision for Teaching and Leadership in a Global Context
Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver When Dr. Kathryn Fishman-Weaver joined the administrative team at Mizzou Academy in 2015, she immediately recognized that our school had important lessons to offer in the field of education. “Lab schools are unique sites for innovation, learning, and creativity,” says Fishman-Weaver, who remembers “being deeply humbled to serve at our school.” Over the years, her “respect for our team and what we are venturing in education has only deepened.” This new book release—the seventh by Fishman-Weaver since joining Mizzou Academy— builds on a framework she presented in her 2018 release, Wholehearted Teaching of Gifted Young Women. The…
May 27, 2025
Mizzou Academy Partners with the International Islamic Academy in Detroit, MI
Dr. Bayan Chaker is a dedicated endocrinologist serving patients with diabetes in the greater Detroit area. In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Chaker serves as the board president of the International Islamic Academy (IIA). Mizzou Academy counselor Alicia Bixby fondly recalls Dr. Chaker’s eagerness for knowledge as a young student. “She would frequently call our office with great questions,” Bixby shares. “When the call came to me, she would say, ‘This is Bayan with you.’” Dr. Chaker earned her University of Missouri high school diploma in 2005. Bixby adds, “She was also a role model to her younger brother…
May 21, 2025
Mizzou Academy Science Team Hosts Inaugural Science Fair
Ninth-grade student Britney Suy spent several days analyzing and photographing plants in the hills of California. She presented her findings and an extensive plant photography portfolio at our inaugural science fair on May 1, 2025, organized by Assistant Professors Ericca Thornhill and Sherry Denney, co-sponsors of our Mizzou Academy Science Team (MAST). However, Thornhill shares that it was “our MAST students [who] first asked for a science fair!” In addition to Britney, William Fleury and Lorena Freitas also presented projects at the Science Fair. Their topics were the physics of figure skating and the way bilingualism impacts brain circuitry, respectively.
May 12, 2025
Tami Regan Celebrates 20 Years of Service to the University of Missouri!
Celebrating Two Decades of Excellence and Inspiration at Mizzou Academy Earlier this month, Stephanie Walter, our Director of Teaching and Learning, struggled to format information in Smartsheet (“as so often I do,” says Stephanie). Though frustration started to build, she suddenly felt calm as she realized, “Aha! I have help. Tami knows how to do this stuff.” A few days later, while working with a student and their family, Stephanie needed more context and a supportive partner to brainstorm strategies. She immediately reached out to Tami again. Stephanie says, “Tami is not only business smart, she is also a fierce…
May 7, 2025
Mizzou Academy Hosts a Special Read-Aloud for Teacher Education Students and International Elementary Learners
Laboratory (lab) schools—designed to provide exceptional education to K-12 students and a learning context for teacher education candidates and research—have a long history in the United States. The first was started by John Dewey in 1896 at the University of Chicago. Today, Mizzou Academy is one of about 100 university-based lab schools in the world. Lab schools play an important role in studying where education is headed. At Mizzou Academy, we know future teachers must develop competencies in multicultural and inclusive classroom practices and digital literacy. This semester, the future teachers in Executive Director Kathryn Fishman-Weaver’s honors inquiry class led…
Feb. 19, 2025
Mizzou Academy Hosts Teaching and Learning Conference in São Paulo, SP
When Elementary Coordinator Lisa DeCastro took the microphone, she looked out into the audience and asked for grace. “This is my first time singing publicly like this.” She then led the 150 attendees in a West African welcome song called “Funga Alafia.” The song title translates from Yoruba to “greetings and blessings.” Music can be both a teaching tool and a vehicle to bring people together. At our recent teaching and learning conference in São Paulo, several members of our team leveraged the power of music in our first All-Conference Sing. The teaching and learning conference is one of several…
Feb. 7, 2025
Mizzou Academy Celebrates National School Counseling Week
Each year, during the first full week of February, the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) recognizes National School Counseling Week. School counselors provide critical academic, social, and emotional support to students. At Mizzou Academy, we are fortunate to learn with school counselors Alicia Bixby and Amelia Howswer. These professionals engage in the essential care and guidance work with our students across the globe. Acknowledging that there aren’t enough words to thank them for all they do, our administrative team put together the following appreciation story for our two school counselors, Alicia Bixby and Amelia Howser. Founding Counselor, Alicia Bixby…