MSU College of Ed. strengthens KY teacher education process
The Morehead State University Volgenau College of Education is sending more than just highly qualified educators into schools. Now, the College of Education is introducing new tools to ensure the highest standards for student-teachers are met.
MSU will launch its new compliance verification process, TESA™ (Teacher Education Security Assurance), in Spring 2026, a system designed to strengthen safety and readiness for pre-service teachers entering P–12 school classrooms for observations and teaching.
TESA™ was developed by Dr. Alicia N. Day (Class of 2014, 2025), clinical and field experience coordinator and instructor in teacher education services at MSU. With over 20 years of experience in higher education (17 of which were at MSU), her work focuses on strengthening compliance, partnerships, and professional readiness for pre-service teachers.
TESA™ is a compliance verification framework that provides a clear, visual indicator confirming that a teacher candidate has met all required documentation and readiness requirements before entering a Kentucky school for field experiences. The system consolidates verification tasks into a centralized checkpoint to ensure compliance with every pre-service teacher.
This system will benefit more than 400 MSU students entering Kentucky schools each year as part of teacher preparation programs. The College of Education relies on strong partnerships with schools to provide these opportunities while ensuring that every student entering a Kentucky school meets various state and national verification requirements.
"TESA™ reflects the University's commitment to preparing highly qualified, professionally ready educators while strengthening partnerships with regional school districts," Day said. "The system provides prospective and current candidates with a clear, structured pathway for meeting field-experience requirements, reinforcing MSU as a rigorous, student-centered program and a strong choice for individuals pursuing a career in education."
Pre-service teachers who complete all compliance requirements receive the status of Green Dot Verified CLEAR™ (also created by Day), indicating they are Compliant for Learning Experiences and Authorized Readiness. This status is displayed through a digital-to-printable verification badge, allowing entry into Kentucky schools for student teaching or field experience.
"By emphasizing accountability, safety, and professional responsibility, TESA™ prepares future educators to meet real-world expectations in P–12 settings," Day said. "The Green Dot Verified CLEAR™ designation streamlines verification for school partners, reducing administrative burden while advancing regional workforce development and educational stability—particularly across the rural communities MSU serves."
To learn more about the MSU's Volgenau College of Education and its programs, please contact Dean of the Volgenau College of Education Dr. Nicola Mason at nfmason@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2162.
