Chair of Westminster’s Education Department Named President-Elect of the Missouri Association for Teacher Education

Congratulations to Education Department Chair Dr. Sarah Hairston, who recently was named president-elect of the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE)!

Her two-year term with the organization officially began July 1, 2024. Following her current term with the MACTE, Hairston will serve for an additional two years as president and then for two years as past president.

Hairston says she is enthusiastic about her new role with the MACTE because of the organization’s vital importance to educator preparation programs, or EPPs, which are certified by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Westminster is among those certified.

“The MACTE serves as a crucial communication bridge between EPPs, DESE and other interested parties,” Hairston explains. “Through Westminster’s institutional membership, we gain the knowledge and resources necessary to deliver a high-quality education that directly addresses the needs of our students.”

At Westminster, Hairston places student needs first by wearing many hats: In addition to her current responsibilities chairing the education department, she also serves as an assistant professor and coordinator of the Teacher Education Program at the College.

Prior to her responsibilities at Westminster, Hairston worked for 20 years with diverse populations in various educational settings, from pre-kindergarten through graduate school.

Hairston received a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis, a certificate in qualitative research and an education specialist degree in PK-12 educational leadership and administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in speech and theatre education from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.

Originally from Fulton, Missouri, Hairston currently lives in Columbia, Missouri, with her husband, Tom, 10-year-old daughter, Abi, and two dogs, Bailey and ZuZu.

In summing up her involvement with the MACTE, Hairston mentions that her new role will help Westminster’s already thriving education major, which is one of Westminster’s most popular programs.

“Assuming the role of president-elect of the MACTE grants me greater access and influence, empowering me to become a true agent of change in education,” Hairston concludes. “Additionally, ongoing conversations with EPPs, DESE representatives, legislators and interested parties will allow me to tailor a program that surpasses expectations in both quality and service delivery, ultimately benefiting the Westminster education department.”

For more information on Westminster’s education major at Westminster College, please visit our website.