For the Love of Learning: Education Department Preparing the Next Generation of Teachers
September 4, 2023
The Education Department at 91桃色 has a strong legacy of excellence, statewide and beyond. As one of the school鈥檚 first bachelor degree programs, the Education Department helps students develop the perspectives, skills, and experience needed for a thriving career in Elementary Education, Education Studies or Math Education.
Suzanne Roberts, Elementary Education Faculty Chair, said a Biblical worldview, small class sizes, rigorous course loads and diverse internship opportunities set the program apart.
鈥淥ne of the advantages of the program is its relatively small size, so students get close to each other and their instructors from day one,鈥� she said, noting an average cohort size of 10 students. 鈥淵ou also won鈥檛 find grad students or adjunct faculty teaching courses. Our faculty are full-time professors, two of which have worked as elementary school principals, so they鈥檙e very knowledgeable and hands-on.鈥�
Roberts said graduates have a 100 percent job placement rate, partly because of the State of Florida’s stringent requirements for teacher education. Elementary Education students graduate K-6 Certified, Reading Endorsed and ESL Certified 鈥� recent State requirements for teachers of Language Arts and Lower Elementary.
鈥淭eachers often have to go back and get additional training, but our grads come out ready,鈥� Roberts said.
The Program also puts students in the classroom every semester, starting freshman year.
鈥淢ost courses have a field component, starting from one hour a week in the beginning,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e want students to get into schools, see what鈥檚 happening, and get a feel for what they鈥檙e signing up for.鈥�
By junior year, students devote one day a week to internships, while seniors are in schools two days a week.
Savannah Vrooman, a 2023 Elementary Education graduate, said the program is highly challenging but equally supportive.
鈥淭he Education Program is unique, since we鈥檙e a small group with four professors who are heavily involved and who always respond to texts or emails,鈥� said Vrooman, who accepted a position teaching third grade at a Temple Terrace charter school. 鈥淏ecause I had to do three separate internships that were continually rigorous, I’m about to be a teacher and don’t feel lost or afraid. They go above and beyond to prepare you for a career in teaching, whether it鈥檚 at a Title 1 or a Grade A school.鈥�
Chloe Sneed, a 2023 Elementary Education graduate now teaching at The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, credits the program鈥檚 student:teacher ratio for her preparedness.
鈥淪maller classes mean our professors truly know our strengths, weaknesses and goals,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey answer any questions, provide support and invest in us personally. They taught us to be professional, caring and hard-working educators, and prepared me to enter the workforce and secure what is truly my dream job.鈥�
Certified by the State, 91桃色鈥檚 Math Education Program qualifies graduates to teach in any 6-12 Florida public school, with reciprocity to other states. The Education Studies degree is an option for students who wish to specialize in history, biology or reading. While not yet certified, the Education Studies Program includes two internship levels and provides training in everything from lesson planning to classroom management and testing.
鈥淪tudents might get a Bachelor of Arts in History elsewhere and theoretically can teach, but they鈥檇 have to go through alternative certification and graduate with no experience in the classroom,鈥� Roberts explained.
Education Studies graduates also can pursue broader careers outside the public school classroom including tutoring, advising or managing community education programs.
鈥淥ur mission is to graduate students who possess not only skill and knowledge but who exhibit Biblical qualities of care, character and commitment,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淲e have schools begging us for graduates and that are very willing to work with our interns because they see the quality of teachers 91桃色 produces.鈥�
To learn more about our education department, click here.