Professional Development

The Fritz Shurmur Center for Teacher Development provides supplementary support to teacher candidates in Albion’s Teacher Education Program. Teacher candidates may receive up to $300 in reimbursement for approved experiential learning and career-readiness activities, including:

  • Professional requirements such as background checks or substitute teaching permits
  • Attendance at professional conferences, meetings, and workshops
  • Participation in job fairs, MTTC testing, or internship-related events

Students completing the Shurmur Mentorship Practicum as part of the Educational Studies minor are also eligible for reimbursement of materials needed to complete and present their required interdisciplinary project.

Why This Support Matters

Today’s educational landscape is evolving rapidly, and staying current with new research, instructional approaches, and classroom technologies is essential. By providing funding for professional development, the Fritz Shurmur Center helps teacher candidates:

  • Connect theory to practice
  • Engage with emerging trends in the field
  • Build professional networks
  • Strengthen confidence and readiness for the classroom

This support ensures future teachers enter the profession with both strong academic preparation and an informed, real-world perspective.

Examples of conferences our students regularly attend include:

  • Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)
  • Michigan Council for Social Studies
  • Michigan Council of Teachers of English
  • Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  • Michigan Reading Association
  • Michigan World Languages Association (MiWLA)
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