Education info sheet

EDUCATION

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The Dordt Difference Administrators who have had the opportunity to employ graduates of Dordt’s Teacher Preparation Program consistently share three things. First, your program is rigorous and relevant. Second, your teachers are wellprepared for the classroom. Third, how can we get more Dordt graduates for our school?

Our program is designed to blend theory and practice. You will be in the classroom on the first day of your first year and your last day before graduation. Field experiences will be built into your classes, as will opportunities to volunteer with afterschool programs, coach, and more. Each opportunity will help you deepen your understanding of and preparation for knowing how to teach, what to teach, and who you teach.

Get ready to meet professors who are passionate about equipping people with the skills to respond to the call of teaching. Get ready to meet classmates who will become lifelong colleagues and friends. Get ready to meet a network of people who are excited about what it means to teach Christianly.

PROGRAM OPTIONS Elementary teaching endorsement: For kindergarten through sixth grade classroom teachers. You can add an endorsement or field of specialization in art, reading, special education, music, mathematics, and more.

Secondary education: For grade five through 12 teachers. You will major in an approved secondary academic content area in addition to completing a secondary education major.

Vertical subject area emphasis: For teachers interested in endorsements in physical education, art, music, Spanish, or special education at both elementary and secondary levels.

Elementary subject area emphasis: This option allows you to focus on a subject area to teach in K–6 classrooms. This is a good option if you wish to teach only physical education or art at the elementary level, for example.

Endorsements: Choices include early childhood, middle school, special education, teaching English as a second language, reading, or coaching. Go to www.dordt.edu for a list of possible endorsements.

Master of education: We offer a master of education program, allowing teachers to earn an advanced degree in teacher leadership or school leadership.

Go to www.dordt.edu/academics/med for more information.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

THE PROGRAM The teacher preparation program is our largest student-enrolled program.

Whether you intend to teach in a Christian school or a public school, our education program will give you a foundation for teaching Christianly through a healthy balance of class work and field-based experience.

You’ll spend a minimum of 240 hours in classrooms prior to student teaching.

In addition to the major, students may select other courses that provide teaching endorsements as defined by the State of Iowa licensure codes.

“I cannot imagine starting teaching without having been part of the Professional Development School program. I don’t feel like a first-year teacher because I have already gone through a school year, attended in-service meetings, an open house, the first days of school, and planned as part of a team. The PDS experience is something you cannot pass up.”

Tyler Van Schepen (’13), teacher, Pella Christian School

Dordt’s Teacher Preparation Program offers a wide variety of endorsement (teaching license) options to fit your interests and goals. Academic requirements for completing fields of endorsement programs are listed course by course in the catalog. For more information about the education program at Dordt, see www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/education.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL A unique feature of the Dordt teacher preparation program is our Professional Development School (PDS), a yearlong teaching experience in a partner school during your final year on campus. You’ll have a true teaching experience within a school community and work with teachers who are trained as mentors. In this real-world context, you’ll see connections between your college coursework and classroom practice. Because of the extensive experience students in this program receive, they are sought by principals for teaching jobs.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Dordt’s program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education. Graduates are eligible for Iowa licensure, which is highly respected and can lead to licensure in a state or province. (Some states have a few additional requirements you can meet while teaching.)

In the last five years, Dordt education graduates found teaching positions in 48 states, most Canadian provinces, and 26 foreign countries. Karen Beyers, administrator at Grace Christian School in Anchorage, Alaska, wrote of one Dordt graduate: “This teacher is deeply committed to excellence, eager to learn, open to suggestions, understands Christian philosophy, is humble, has a godly heart, and learns from his mistakes. You are doing a great job at Dordt.”

THE FACULTY Kim Hengeveld, M.Ed., Dordt College; placement director

Kim.Hengeveld@dordt.edu

Barb Hoekstra, Ed.D., University of South Dakota; educational psychology Steve Holtrop, Ph.D., University of Iowa; philosophy of education, grad ed

Barb.Hoekstra@dordt.edu Steve.Holtrop@dordt.edu

Pat Kornelis, Ed.D., University of South Dakota; educational pyschology, PDS director

Pat.Kornelis@dordt.edu

Gwen Marra, Ed.D., Univeristy of South Dakota; reading methods, early childhood education David Mulder, M.Ed., Dordt College; educational technology, foundations of education

Gwen.Marra@dordt.edu

David.Mulder@dordt.edu

Ed Starkenburg, Ed.D., University of Northern Iowa; curriculum and instruction, social studies methods Timothy Van Soelen, Ed.D., University of South Dakota; educational leadership, philosophy of education Kathleen VanTol, Ed.D., Western Michigan University; special ed

Timothy.VanSoelen@dordt.edu

Kathleen.VanTol@dordt.edu

Mary Beth Pollema, M.Ed., Dordt College; diversity in education, secondary methods Ryan Zonnefeld, Ph.D., Iowa State University; math methods, educational leadership August 2015

Ed.Starkenburg@dordt.edu

MaryBeth.Pollema@dordt.edu Ryan.Zonnefeld@dordt.edu