Message from the Dean: May 2025
As we wrap up another academic year, the energy in Fitzgerald Hall begins to shift. Students are celebrating hard-earned achievements, faculty are finalizing grades and we all are gifted with some time to reflect on the good work we’ve done together this year, our 100th year of educating educators!
Our students continue to inspire us with their leadership and accomplishments. Nathaniel Reyes, a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education with concentrations in English and Research-Intensive English, was named a 2025 MACTE RISE Scholarship recipient in recognition of his commitment to inclusive, student-centered learning. In addition, Aurora Hofius, a senior secondary English education major, was named a 2025 Missouri Teacher Leader of Tomorrow for her passion for student learning and leadership in the profession. These honors reflect the promise and impact of the next generation of educators.
This semester brought new opportunities to live out our mission of advancing educational equity and supporting our communities. I’m proud to share that the School of Education is deepening its commitment to St. Louis students through a new partnership with The Biome School, which will officially join SLU’s charter school sponsorship portfolio on July 1, 2025. The Biome, founded in 2015 and located just blocks from Fitzgerald Hall, is rooted in equity, innovation, and academic excellence. It will become the fifth public charter school sponsored by the University and the second in St. Louis, further strengthening our role in community-based education partnerships across Missouri.
We also hosted a number of meaningful centennial events this spring. In March, we hosted a Fireside Chat with Dr. Howard Fields III and Dr. Karen Hall, who discussed Dr. Fields’ recent book and challenged us to reimagine education policy in ways that honor and uplift Black school communities. That same month, we gathered at Sophie’s Artist Lounge to celebrate women educators, recognizing 38 individuals through a pay-it-forward nomination process. The event, held in honor of Women’s History Month and the SOE’s 100th anniversary, reminded us of the power of storytelling and the influence women have had — and continue to have — on our field.
Finally, in March, we had the pleasure of hosting the 2025 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on SLU’s campus. With 47 of the region’s top young spellers participating, the event brought hundreds of families to the Busch Student Center and reaffirmed our role as a hub for curiosity and academic celebration.
These stories — of partnership, progress and purpose — remind me that education is always a community effort. We are grateful to work alongside so many of you in advancing this mission, both here in St. Louis and far beyond.
As summer begins, I hope you find time to rest, recharge and reflect. Thank you for being a vital part of the SOE family. Please stay connected — we love hearing from you and sharing in your successes.
Warm regards,
Gary W. Ritter, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Education