MSU's Grisham Master Teacher Kelly Moser to Unpack 'Magic' of Teaching

Moser's upcoming lecture will explore the strategies and preparation behind transformative classroom experiences.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:34pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a whiteboard marker repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the tools and techniques of effective teaching.The upcoming Grisham Lecture by Master Teacher Kelly Moser will shine a light on the intentional practices and expertise that make great teaching appear 'magical' to students.Starkville Today

Mississippi State University's Grisham Lecture Series will feature a talk by 2025-26 Grisham Master Teacher Kelly Moser on April 23. Moser, an associate professor in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literature, will deliver a lecture titled 'Explaining the Trick: What Looks Like Magic in Teaching and Why It Isn't,' exploring the intentional practices that drive effective teaching and student learning.

Why it matters

The Grisham Lecture Series highlights MSU's most distinguished educators, giving the campus community an opportunity to engage with their professional journeys and teaching insights. Moser's lecture will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into creating transformative classroom experiences, which is valuable for both current and aspiring educators.

The details

Moser's lecture will take place at 3 p.m. on April 23 in the John Grisham Room of Mitchell Memorial Library. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, Moser serves as the director of teaching initiatives in the College of Arts and Sciences and mentors students and aspiring educators.

  • The Grisham Lecture Series continues this month with Moser's talk on April 23.
  • Moser and Holli Seitz, associate professor of communication, were named the university's 2025-26 Grisham Master Teacher recipients.

The players

Kelly Moser

An associate professor in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literature at Mississippi State University, and the 2025-26 Grisham Master Teacher.

Holli Seitz

An associate professor of communication at Mississippi State University, and the other 2025-26 Grisham Master Teacher recipient.

John Grisham

An internationally recognized author and Mississippi State University alumnus, after whom the Grisham Master Teacher recognition is named.

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What they’re saying

“Great teaching can look like magic from the outside, but that's often because we don't see the work behind it. I want to pull back the curtain and show that what looks like magic is really a set of intentional practices that make learning visible.”

— Kelly Moser, Associate Professor, Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literature

What’s next

The Grisham Lecture Series will continue to highlight MSU's most distinguished educators, providing the campus community with opportunities to engage with their teaching insights and professional journeys.

The takeaway

Moser's lecture will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the intentional practices and preparation that drive effective teaching, providing valuable insights for both current and aspiring educators on how to create transformative classroom experiences.