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Major Brochure | Courses | Sample Plan of Study
Want to teach where it all begins?
Young children ask a bazillion questions, hold hands, work at sharing toys and taking turns. They learn to write their names and tie their shoes. They learn to read, to add and subtract.
Some struggle with zipping their coats but are miles ahead with language.
Some seem born to play soccer but can’t sit still at circle time.
Some operate easily within the educational system. Others are at risk for falling through the system’s cracks.
Each child is different, uniquely gifted and challenged.
At Defiance College, early childhood education majors see potential in the very youngest for growth and development, value quirks and differences, and desire for each child a way to live and learn in the world to the best of their abilities. They know that developing the skills of three-year-olds through third-graders requires problem solving and collaboration, listening and innovation.
Get ready to teach where it all begins.
Defiance College has a rich teacher education heritage. For more than 100 years, the College has prepared and graduated teachers who not only teach, but become principals and superintendents as well. The success of Defiance College education graduates rests in part on the rapport established with area schools and the caring, personal attention given to each student by the experienced faculty. In addition to exceeding state minimum requirements, the program has many other strengths.
Holders of an Early Childhood License or Adolescent and Young Adult License can add a Middle Childhood License in one content area with the appropriate content and education course work. See the Head of Teacher education for details.
A license in Early Childhood Education is valid for teaching children who are typically developing, at risk, gifted and those with mild/moderate educational needs.
The Teacher Education Program
All education students should be aware that the requirements for graduation are extensive, and that careful planning is necessary. Students admitted to the College who wish to be licensed as teachers must be admitted to the teacher education program and should indicate their desire to become a licensed teacher upon entering the College. Early and continuous monitoring of students helps assure success in completing the program in a more timely manner. Students may not take upper-level education courses until a review of lower-level field experiences and coursework has been successfully completed and the student has obtained minimum scores of 176 in reading, 174 in writing, and 175 in math on the Praxis I. Each applicant seeking teacher licensure is considered on the basis of criteria formulated by the Teacher Education Council and continuance in the program is dependent upon approval by that group. The senior capstone experience for all education majors is a semester long internship.
Education Accreditation
The Teacher Education Program has been reviewed and approved by the Ohio Department of Education using the teaching education standards by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Ohio Education Licensure
Since the Ohio Department of Education periodically changes teacher licensure requirements, the College reserves the right to modify its programs and requirements to meet changing state standards. The professional courses and the teaching fields outlined will meet the current state standards for teacher licensure in Ohio. Students interested in teaching in another state are advised to contact that state's department of education to determine if the Ohio teaching license will transfer to a comparable license in that state.
Field experiences in schools, an important part of the program, begin as early as the first semester of the sophomore year, continue through a variety of classroom settings, and culminate in a supervised student teaching experience during the senior year. Studies in teaching diverse student populations are part of the program.
Major Brochure | Courses | Sample Plan of Study
Defiance College is fortunate in that it has developed a sound rapport with area schools. This type of partnership provides excellent opportunities for students to receive “hands-on” experience under the guidance of highly qualified school teachers or coaches. These field experiences are an important part of the instructional program and they culminate with a supervised student teaching experience. These experiences will be provided through opportunities in the classroom or gymnasium activities, as well as through local coaching experiences.
Minor in Autism Studies
The Hench Autism Studies Program is designed to educate students about the unique needs of persons with autism and their families. Additionally, students receive training on effective strategies for successful integration of persons with autism into education, vocational, family and community settings. Students are encouraged to apply these strategies in a supervised practicum setting. The minor in Autism Studies may be combined with any major.
Defiance College graduates are very successful, both in the classroom and in administrative roles. A high percentage of classrooms in northwest Ohio schools are staffed by well-trained Defiance College graduates, but our graduates are often sought by school districts from many parts of the country. Graduates have also been selected into the Teach for America program. With additional training, many graduates also work as principals, superintendents, and in specialty positions such as guidance counselors and program coordinators. Educators who have already completed their baccalaureate degree may choose to enroll in Defiance College’s Master of Arts in Education program.
Master of Arts in Education
Teacher leadership, the theme of the program, is implemented through four goals:
1. Teacher leaders will model effective planning and delivery of instruction.
2. Teacher leaders will engage students in learning and accurately evaluating
the students’ performance.
3. Teacher leaders will be committed to collaborative faculty improvement
through mentoring and coaching.
4. Teacher leaders will demonstrate the use of scientifically based research to
solve classroom and school problems.
Graduate programs offered in education
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Arts in Education/ Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure
- Master of Arts in Education with Coaching Concentrations
- Master of Arts in Education Intervention Specialist
- Master of Arts in Education with Ohio Reading Endorsement
Evening and summer classes are available.
Jo Ann Burkhardt, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor of Education
419-783-2315 | jburkhardt@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile
Diane L. Coleman, M.A.,
Coordinator of NCATE & Clinical
Experiences, Instructor of Education
419-783-2453 | dcoleman@defiance.edu
Fred Coulter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education
419-783-2416 | fcoulter@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile
Joshua C. Francis, M.A., Assistant Professor of Education
419-783-2571 | jfrancis@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile
Sandra Golden, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education /
Master of Arts in Education Program Director
419-783-2412 | sgolden@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile
Matthew Lydum, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education
419-783-2419 | mlydum@defiance.edu | Faculty Profile
Ian D. MacGregor, M.A., Head of Teacher Education
419-783-2324 | imacgregor@defiance.edu
Karen McCoy, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education
kmccoy@defiance.edu
