Today, University of Missouri Human Development and Family Science Department Chair Brenda Lohman announced that Miranda Clines has been named the next Director of the MU Child Development Lab School, effective December 5, 2022.

The MU Child Development Laboratory (CDL) is an educational setting for community children and a teaching and research laboratory for university students, faculty, and staff. The CDL operates a full-day, full-year teacher-training lab school affiliated with the Department of Human Development and Family Science within the College of Education and Human Development.

The CDL serves 68 families with children from six weeks of age through age five. The mission of the CDL parallels the research, teaching, and service missions of the University of Missouri. The CDL enhances the science of early childhood education, health, and development, promotes the professional growth of undergraduate and graduate students, and simultaneously creates strong foundations for children and their families.

“I am pleased to welcome Miranda Clines as the next Director of the CDL,”said Lohman. “ Her unique blend of academic and practical experience makes her a great asset for the Child Development Lab. I look forward to her stewardship in enhancing the research, teaching, and service missions of the CDL and growing opportunities for training future early childhood educators in the state of Missouri.”

Clines received a bachelor’s degree in General Studies with a minor in English Literature from Columbia College, and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Early Childhood Trauma Studies from Pacific Oaks College.

Over the past eight years, Clines has dedicated her professional life to the field of Early Childhood Education. Her passion for education began in college where she studied English literature with the goal of becoming a High School English teacher. Through her course of study, Miranda discovered the valuable impact of high-quality Early Childhood Education on the community and began working in the classroom as a teacher’s assistant.

Since that initial spark of inspiration, Miranda has worked in Head Start classrooms as a Teacher and Family Development Specialist. Her passion for serving children in need led to a Child Advocate and Program Manager role with True North of Columbia. She completed her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Early Childhood Trauma Studies before going on to serve as the Executive Director of the Mary Lee Johnston Community Learning Center.

 “It’s an honor to join such a passionate organization. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this team,” said Clines.