Education, Elementary and Secondary/K-12 Concentration

Develop the skills, knowledge, and disposition to teach at elementary, secondary, and K-12 levels. Become an agent of change for educational reform, both within the classroom and in the public policy arena.

Why Study Education at Albion?

Our nationally-recognized education program will equip you to be an effective educator and advocate for educational equity and access. You’ll pursue a major in a field you’re passionate about while building skills in our four essentials for effective teaching—observation, inquiry, reflection, and creativity. You’ll apply all of this through hands-on clinical experience in a local school, learning through observation and practice.

We designed our program for both students who seek to acquire certification to teach in public schools in the U.S. and those who want to teach outside of the public school system and abroad. Albion’s Education Program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education and was accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) based on the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) Quality Principles in November 2016.

The Fritz Shurmur Center for Teacher Development

As an education student, you’ll have access to guest speakers, co-curricular activities, mentorship opportunities, and a close community of peers and mentors through the Shurmur Center for Teacher Development. You’ll gain hands-on experience in the form of internships, research, and travel, preparing you for a meaningful career in education.

The Ferguson Center for Technology-Aided Teaching and Learning

The Ferguson Center exists to promote the effective use of technology in the service of teaching and learning. The Ferguson Center is now home to the Education Department’s Learning Café, a fully equipped computer and media-enabled space that flexibly supports problem-based learning and group work, courses, activities, and student field experiences.

MaeMester

During the spring term of your junior year, you’ll have the opportunity to teach a unit of your design to local students over a three-week MaeMester period. At the end of May, you’ll display and discuss a portfolio of your work in an open-to-the-public MaeMester Showcase in the Science Complex Atrium.

Capstone Experience

You’ll put everything you learn over your four years at Albion into practice in your senior year, where you spend a semester teaching in a local elementary or secondary school under the supervision of an experienced, well-qualified teacher. You’ll reflect on your learning during a concurrent capstone course that focuses on professional development, portfolio design, technology integration, and classroom management.

What Will You Learn as an Education Student?

You’ll develop a broad foundation of knowledge through your major and develop subject-specific teaching strategies.

You’ll learn to create, improve and deliver instructional plans, and assess learning progress in K-12 students.

You’ll learn how to connect with and develop teaching and learning strategies for learners from diverse backgrounds.

You’ll put your skills, knowledge, and experience into practice through a senior year student teaching experience in a local school.

Certifications

At Albion, you’ll develop a strong foundation in your major—which is essential for your success as an educator. Then you’ll add an education certification through our teacher education program.

Elementary Certification Program

Albion offers programs leading to Michigan certification at the elementary level (grades K-8) in the following subject areas: English/Language Arts, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Teaching English as a Second Language (minor only).

Secondary/K-12 Certification

Albion offers programs leading to Michigan certification at the secondary level (grades 6-12) in the subject areas listed below and K-12 certification in French, German, Spanish, and music.

The following are options for secondary teaching majors and minors: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science/Geology, English, French, German, History, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Social Studies (major only), Spanish, and Teaching English as a Second Language (minor only).