Sara Tipton

Sara Tipton serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Internship Academy at Missouri State University's School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences within the College of Education. She leads clinical teacher preparation initiatives with focus on elementary education programs across Springfield campus.

Her educational credentials include:

• Education Specialist in Education (2016, Missouri State University)
• Master of Science in Education (2015, Missouri State University)
• BS in Elementary Education (2002, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Dr. Tipton's research centers on yearlong clinical placements in teacher preparation, pioneering immersive models that extend beyond traditional student teaching. Her work examines how extended classroom residencies develop professional competencies through continuous mentorship and reflective practice. Additional interests include home-school-community relationship building and contemporary issues in elementary education, addressing evolving pedagogical challenges in diverse learning environments.

As Internship Academy Director, she oversees clinical placements for elementary teacher candidates across regional school districts. Her leadership establishes partnerships with K-6 schools for yearlong residencies, trains cooperating teachers, and integrates field experiences with university coursework. The Academy operates as Missouri State's central hub for practical teacher training, emphasizing real-world application of educational theory.