Teacher Education

About the program

Students desiring to be licensed at the elementary level (PK - 6) major in liberal arts and minor in teacher education. Students pursuing a secondary license (6 - 12) may major in one of fifteen academic endorsement areas and minor in teacher education. Students seeking licensure in art, dramatic and theatre arts, physical education, or foreign language can earn an all level (PK - 12) license.

The Ferrum Teacher Education Program prepares students to become teachers in today's restructured classroom. The program challenges them to think about curriculum issues, approaches to classroom management, and alternatives to traditional assessment. They are asked to reflect on current educational policy and to take and defend a stance on such matters. Students make data-driven decisions, consider effective ways to reach and involve learners, and develop their own philosophy of education, which is constantly examined and refined.

The Ferrum Program produces teachers who believe that all students can learn, who have the strategies and confidence to reach all learners, and who work collaboratively with colleagues, school leaders, and parents to best serve the community. The goal is to produce teachers who become educational leaders early in their careers.

Coursework in Teacher Education

The curriculum incorporates a variety of topics to prepare students for opportunities in the field of Teacher Education, and includes courses such as:

Introduction to Education
Developmental/Diagnostic Reading
Content Area Reading
Strategies I and II
Survey of Special Education
Foundations of Education
Language Arts
The Middle School
Student Teaching and Synthesis

Related Clubs

There are over 50 clubs and organizations available to students at Ferrum College. These are specifically related to Teacher Education:

Student Virginia Education Association
Teacher Education Club

Experiential & hands-on learning opportunities

Internships: Students are strongly urged to explore career opportunities and to establish mentors through an internship. In each education course students work in classrooms under the guidance of cooperating teachers. The internship field experiences typically begin in the sophomore year with the first teacher education course. These early experiences give students ample time to prepare themselves for a career in teaching.

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What can I be with a minor in Teacher Education?

A minor in Teacher Education leads to traditional career paths, as well as less expected fields. For example:

You could be a(n) ...
Teacher
Editor
Research Assistant
Curriculum Designer
College Registrar
Public Relations Specialist
Personnel Manager
Day Care Worker
Technical Writer
Education Materials Designer