About the Education Majors
The School of Education seeks to develop highly qualified Christian teachers who view teaching as a mission. They nurture their students, reflect critically on their practice, and facilitate classroom experience to maximize the potential of all learners. Our faculty focuses on three main areas of preparation: the personal, the professional, and the practical. While we believe that all three areas are important, our focus on the personal, relational aspects of education is our key distinctive, the core value that connects our educational philosophy to our Christian worldview, our emphasis on the community, and our commitment to diversity. It is from this concept of the personal with its emphasis on the teacher as nurturer that our motto, “Touching Lives One Student at a Time,” has been developed.
We believe that the education program should be viewed as a continuous, seamless process beginning with the first introduction to the profession in Introduction to Teaching (ED 100) and culminating in the professional semester of clinical practice. Any candidate considering an education major should obtain a specific planning sheet and request assignment to an education advisor as early in the program as possible. Education courses (with the exception of ED 100, 110, 240, and 260) may be taken only by candidates who have been accepted into the School of Education. Any exception to this rule must be approved by the School of Education.
We offer programs in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Music Education/K–12, and Physical Education/K–12. The Secondary Education program is divided into various subject areas, including Biology, English, History, and Mathematics. (See links below.)
Candidates who successfully complete the general and professional education courses required for their major are eligible to be recommended for the appropriate initial state certificate. The state of Illinois requires the candidate to pass basic skills and content area tests before certification is awarded. Candidates are required to comply with all state certification requirements which are in place at the time of application for certification.
The Initial Elementary School Certificate is valid for teaching in grades kindergarten through nine. The Initial High School Certificate is valid for teaching in grades 6 through 12. The Initial Specialist Certificate is valid for teaching in grades K through 12 in the area of specialty.
The following Teacher Education Programs are approved and recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education:
Elementary Education with Middle School Endorsement/K–9
Music Education/K–12
Physical Education/K–12
Secondary Education with Middle School Endorsement/6–12
Candidates waiving courses in a secondary education major should be aware that they still must have a minimum of 32 hours of credit in their major field area in order to receive certification through Trinity.
