After 21 consecutive years working in K-12 education, Dr. Francisca Jensen began a new chapter in 2025 when she joined Mid-America Christian University’s School of Teacher Education as an Associate Faculty member. While her move into higher education marked a new season of her career, her passion for early childhood education and advocacy for children and families has remained at the center of her work.
Since joining MACU, Jensen has embraced a variety of roles, including teaching courses in both accelerated and traditional formats, advising Early Childhood students, and serving as the Early Childhood program coordinator. She also serves as the Urban Teacher Prep Academy (UTPA) program sponsor for students interested in teaching in urban education environments. She is a member of the India Task Force Committee, which works to establish partnerships in India for MACU and the School of Teacher Education.
Jensen said her first year at MACU has been marked by a strong sense of community and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.
“It has been a whirlwind of great love and community as I engaged in various roles to honor the work that was laid before me and to dream bigger,” Jensen said.
Her work outside the University has also continued to shape her approach to teacher preparation. Jensen remains connected to the school district where she spent 21 years and has continued to collaborate with educators, administrators, families, and community organizations. Her professional involvement over the past year included presenting at the Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children (OKAEYC) conference in Oklahoma City, where she shared her knowledge of working with Latino students in American public school settings and discussed ways to strengthen partnerships with Latino families.
She also attended the National Board Summit, which brings together National Board Certified educators for collaboration and professional learning, and the Oklahoma Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (OACTE), where she connected with other higher education professionals involved in teacher preparation.
For Jensen, maintaining relationships with K-12 educators is an important part of preparing future teachers at MACU. Her own classroom experience gives her a firsthand perspective she can bring to her students.
“I have only been out of that world for a year and love to share my knowledge and experiences of directly working with children, families, and administrators,” Jensen said.
Through those ongoing connections, Jensen helps MACU students understand what is happening in today’s classrooms and connect educational theory to real-world practice. She said the perspectives of current teachers, administrators, children, and families help her keep students informed about the latest educational initiatives and challenges.
Jensen’s commitment to advocacy also extends into her research and professional scholarship. She recently completed her dissertation at the University of Oklahoma, focusing on the narratives of Latino students and families and their experiences in American public schools and universities. Her research allowed her to work with the school community she had served for 21 years and further understand the experiences of Latino children and families.
Her scholarship has also led to a recent publication in the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Educating Young Children magazine. Her article, “Children as Agents of Change: How an Oklahoma Elementary School Fosters Joyful Advocacy,” highlights how elementary students can use their voices to create positive change.
For Jensen, empowering others to use their voices is central to her work.
“I am a strong advocate, and one of my greatest wishes is to empower others to use their voice or knowledge to spark change,” Jensen said.
That same philosophy carries into her work with MACU students. Jensen encourages her students to take ownership of their education, ask questions, seek resources, and look for opportunities that extend beyond the University classroom.
Her message to future educators is to view their college experience as more than academics.
“Study hard, learn lots, and create a community,” Jensen said. “Remember that when you graduate, you have achieved something many cannot or do not have the opportunity to do so – don’t take that for granted and always be ready to give a hand up.”
Through her teaching, research, and continued involvement with K-12 educators and families, Jensen is helping future teachers connect what they learn at MACU with the realities of the classrooms and communities they will eventually serve.