
Education (secondary)
Do you have a passion for math, science, social studies, language arts, foreign language, physical education, music or art and enjoy working with teenagers? Do you want a rewarding career where you have the opportunity to make a difference every day? If you can answer “yes” to these questions, consider Central’s secondary education program.
At Central, you major in your content (math, science, social studies, language arts, foreign language, physical education, music, art) and take education courses necessary to obtain a teaching license. These courses provide you with the background necessary to become an effective middle and high school teacher.
At Central, all education students participate in field experiences with teachers and students in classroom settings. In addition, Central students have the opportunity to apply for admission in the innovative “Central Teacher Academy.” This program provides extensive experiences working with 7-12 teachers and students with opportunities for expanded professional development.
Graduates from Central who have received secondary teaching certification have gone on to become high school and middle school teachers, special education teachers and coaches.
Faculty
- Christine Day, Ed.D., visiting instructor of education
dayc@central.edu
- Jennifer Diers, Ph.D., assistant professor of education
diersj@central.edu
- Alida Droppert, Ph.D., assistant professor of education
dropperta@central.edu
- Philip George, Ph.D., professor of education
georgep@central.edu
- Kris Kilibarda, Ed.D. assistant professor of education
kilibardak@central.edu
- Paula Lee, instructor of education
leep@central.edu
- Joy Prothero, Ed.D., associate professor of education
protheroj@central.edu
- K. Rex Shahriari, Ed.D., professor of education
shahriarir@central.edu
- Esther Streed, Ed.D., associate professor of education
streede@central.edu
Successful Careers
- Special education teacher, West Central Valley School District, Dexter, Iowa
- Special education teacher, SE Polk Middle School, Iowa
- Behavior disorder teacher, Fair Oaks Middle School, Fort Dodge, Iowa
- Junior high behavior disorders teacher, Marshalltown, Iowa
- Special education teacher, Saydel School District, Des Moines, Iowa
- Special education teacher, Hampton-Dumont school district,
Hampton, Iowa
- 7-8 special education teacher, Knoxville, Iowa
- Middle school math and language arts teacher, PCM School District, Prairie City, Iowa
- 7th grade life science teacher, Washington School District, Washington, Iowa
- Principal, Oskaloosa, Iowa
- 8th grade special education teacher, Southeast Polk School District, Runnells, Iowa
- High school math teacher, Southeast Polk School District, Runnells, Iowa
- High school science teacher, Southeast Polk School District, Runnells, Iowa.
- High school science teacher, Linn-Mar School District, Marion, Iowa
- High school science teacher
- Middle school science teacher, Southeast Polk School District, Runnells, Iowa
- Fourth grade teacher, Pella, Iowa
Internships
Field experiences are very important at Central. Continuous contact with teachers and students in realistic settings enables prospective teachers to successfully transfer educational theory into effective practice. Students also are encouraged to consider the numerous off-campus experiences available at urban and overseas sites.
Central Teaching Academy
The Central Teacher Academy (CTA) program is an exceptional teacher preparatory program and is the only on of its kind in the state! Secondary education students apply for and are selected to be a CTA participant. CTA students are trained and paired with mentor teachers in the Pella Community School District for three years. This unique program collaborates with three distinct educational resources – Central College, the Pella Community School District, and Heartland Area Education Agency.
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
- Foundations of education
- Human relations
- Exceptional children
- Introduction to instructional technology
- Developmental psychology
- Classroom and behavioral management
- Field experience in secondary education
- Advanced integration of technology in education
- Psychology in secondary education
- Reading in the content area
- Secondary general methods
- Secondary special methods
- 7-12 multicategorical resource student teaching
- Secondary student teaching
- Professional development seminar
Endorsements
- Art (K-8 / 5-12)
- Athletic Coach
- Business (5-12)
- Business marketing/management (5-12)
- English/Language Arts (5-12)
- ESL teacher
- French (5-12)
- German (5-12)
- Health (5-12)
- Instructional strategist I - mild and moderate
- Mathematics (5-12)
- Middle school teacher (5-8)
- Music (K-8)
- Music (5-12)
- Natural science
- Physical education (K-8)
- Physical education (5-12)
- Science — Biological (5-12)
- Science — Chemistry (5-12)
- Science — Physical science (5-12)
- Science — Physics (5-12)
- Social sciences — American government (5-12)
- Social sciences — American history (5-12)
- Social sciences — economics (5-12)
- Social sciences — psychology (5-12)
- Social sciences — sociology (5-12)
- Social sciences — world history (5-12)
- Spanish
- Speech communication
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- Foundations of education
- Introduction to instructional technology
- Secondary education practicum
- Endorsement program courses
- Core courses and/or electives
Sophomore year
- Human relations
- Exceptional children
- Adolescent development
- Core courses and/or electives
Junior year
- Psychology in secondary education
- Reading in the content area
- Behavior and classroom management
- Secondary general methods
- Core courses and/or electives
Senior year
- Secondary student teaching
- Senior seminar
- Advanced integration of technology in education - secondary
- Endorsement program courses
- Core courses and/or electives
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
In fall 2009 the education department opened its doors to a new 57,748 gross square foot Education and Psychology Building, which cost more than $17 million. It features energy conservation and environmental responsibility. The three-story building will provide new classroom, office and instructional space for the education and psychology departments, two of Central’s largest and most distinguished academic areas, along with communication studies and Central’s nationally recognized community-based learning department. Read more at http://www.central.edu/edPsych.
Department Web site
Central’s education department maintains its own Web site with even more information about majoring in education.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Education majors might be interested in joining Central's Education Club and the Council for Exceptional Children.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Education-related field experiences are avaiable at all study abroad sites. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.