Education – Elementary, Secondary, PK-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.
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 teacher certification at the elementary level (grades PK-3 only, or grades PK-3 and 3-6 combined). Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) as candidates for elementary certification must:
- Complete any Albion College major, along with the Elementary Education Concentration
- The Elementary Education Concentration includes a sequence of pedagogy courses and clinical experiences
- Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department.
Students interested in an elementary concentration should consult the Albion College Academic Catalog and directly with the Education Department (224 Olin Hall).
Secondary Certification
Albion offers programs leading to Michigan teacher certification at the secondary level (grades 7-12 only, or grades 5-9 and 7-12 combined) in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, and for grades 6-12 in Psychology. Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP) as candidates for secondary certification must:
- Complete an Albion College major in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies or Psychology, along with the Secondary Education Concentration
- The Secondary Education Concentration includes a sequence of pedagogy courses and clinical experiences
- Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department
Students interested in a secondary concentration should consult the Albion College Academic Catalog and directly with the Education Department (224 Olin Hall).
PK-12 Certification
Albion offers programs leading to Michigan teacher certification at the all-grades level (grades PreKindergarten-12th) in Spanish and Music. Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP as candidates for PK-12 certification must:
- Complete an Albion College major in Spanish or Music, along with the PK-12 Education Concentration
- The PK-12 Education Concentration includes a sequence of pedagogy courses and clinical experiences
- Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department
Pedagogy course(s) note: Music students take pedagogy courses in the Music Department. Students should consult with their Education Department adviser to ensure they are taking the correct pedagogy courses.
English as a Second Language (PK-12) Endorsement
Albion offers a program leading to an additional teaching endorsement in English as a Second Language at the all-grades level (grades PreKindergarten-12). This endorsement can be added to any Elementary, Secondary or PK-12 teaching certification. Students accepted into the Teacher Education Program (TEP as candidates for PK-12 ESL certification must:
- Complete an Albion College minor in Teaching English as a Second Language, along with the Education Concentration required for their initial certification.
- Complete all other requirements for certification as specified by Albion’s Education Department
Opportunities
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.
