MessagefromtheChair
We are so excited to have undergraduate students back on campus in Wesemann Hall! It’s hard to believe that it has been one year since we moved into this building We have worked hard to create a comfortable space where our students can learn We now have five micro-teaching classrooms where students can practice their lessons with their peers. Our mock classroom is up and running where most of our students have their methods of teaching classes. Plans for a new STEM classroom are in the works. This summer, we welcomed 28 Transition to Teaching students who will find their calling in the classroom over our one-year program for people who already have a bachelor's degree.
Additionally, we welcomed 15 new freshmen in the 2028 class and several transfer students this August Wesemann Hall will continue to be bustling with our continuing education opportunities, from VOLTS to STEM certification. There are so many ways to stay connected with Valpo Education. We hopetoseeyoubackoncampus.PleasestopbyWesmemannHalltosayhi!
SELINABARTELS
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT CHAIR
DepartmentUpdates
We are delighted to welcome Professor Hana Jun to our amazing team of faculty and staff! Hana Jun is an Assistant Professor of Education with an emphasis on social studies education. Hana is completing her Ph.D. program at Indiana University. Her professional interests include students’ historical understanding, particularly how they make personal connections to history, and teachers’ curricular decision-making, specifically how they navigate limited curricular space. Before her graduate studies, she completed her B.A. and M.A. in history education at Ewha Womans University and taught history and social studies in public schools in Seoul, South Korea.
2024-2025Grant-FundedPrograms
FOUNDATIONSMENTORLEARNINGCOMMUNITY
40 teachers in Northwest Indiana schools were selected to participate in the Valpo Education Foundations Mentor Learning Community during the 24-25 academic year These phenomenal teachers will serve as mentors for freshman and sophomore students who are just beginning their journey in the education field.
Additionally, teachers will come to campus twice each semester to receive leadership training centered on research-based practices in mentorship provided by Valpo faculty and staff The Indiana Department of Education funds the Foundations Mentor Learning community
MENTORLEARNINGCOMMUNITY
Valpo Education is proud to announce a partnership with Portage Township Schools for the Fall 2024 Mentor Learning Community 26 teachers were nominated and selected to serve as mentors for Valpo education juniors during their three-week practicum experience. The juniors completing the practicum will observe, teach, and learn from their mentor teacher during this “ministudent teaching” experience. The teacher mentors will attend monthly professional developments on Valpo’s campus, focused on research-based
ENGINEERINGTHETEACHERSOFTHEFUTURE
practices in reading and mentorship. This program aims to provide a sustained, practical learning experience for students that supports their understanding of the science of reading while building a strong connection between university faculty and cooperating teachers. The Lilly Endowment funds the Mentor Learning Community. Each month throughout the academic school year, Valpo Education hosts 24 teachers from 11 different school corporations who come to campus for teacher training in STEM. The full-day workshops are filled with exciting opportunities for the teachers to learn more about teaching engineering in their elementary classrooms alongside science and math. As part of the program, these educators get to hear from engineering faculty and tour the Gellerson building hosted by the College of Engineering
Teachersarealsosupportedbyeducationfacultyandstaffthroughthe developmentofanEngineeringUnitandprovidedwiththeneededmaterialsto teachtheirnewlessonsintheclassroomtocreateanimmersiveSTEM experiencefortheirstudents.Onceteacherscompletethenine-month program,theyearnaSTEMCertificationsupportedbytheuniversityand educationdepartment.The2024/2025academicschoolyearwillbethe secondyearforthisprogram.TheIndianaCommissionforHigherEducation fundsTheEngineeringtheTeachersoftheFutureprogram
Ifyouwouldliketoexploretheengineeringunitsdevelopedbyteachers throughtheEngineeringtheTeachersoftheFutureSTEMcertificationprogram, checkoutourResourcesforTeacherspageontheeducationwebsite
UpcomingEvents
FAMILY STORY TIME FEATURING A NEW COLLABORATION WITH LEAP SOLUTIONS, LLC
Story Time takes place in Wesemann Hall every Tuesday from 10-10:30 a m Education students and staff provide stories and activities that allow families to play and learn together Valpo Education is excited to announce a new collaboration with LEAP Solutions, LLC Licensed psychologists will provide training for education students and help create engaging lesson plans and activities that will support life and social skills important to your child’s development! We will focus on a different theme each month. The theme for September is “Who am I?” While activities are most appropriate for ages 2-5, all are welcome. There is no registration required. Free parking is available in Lot 50, directly across from Wesemann Hall. Check our website for more details and scheduling updates anytime.
HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND EDUCATION EVENT:
AToasttoTeachers, Friday, October 4, 5-6:30 pm
Homecoming and Family Weekend are scheduled for October 4-6, 2024. The Education Department will be hosting a combined event on Friday,October4th,forall educationalumni,currentstudents,andfamilies!Come warmupbythecampfirewiths’moresandapplecider. Lawn games will be available if you’re in the mood for some friendly competition- there will be prizes! We can’t wait to see you!
Please mark attending for “Education- A Toast for Teacher” in the list of selections (you will be able to select other homecoming events you plan to attend as well).
TheVOLTSprogramisopentoallseniorcitizenslookingforawaytoconnectwiththecommunity Participantsareretiredorabovetheageof60.Interestedinjoining?Contact emma.kelley@valpo.eduorvisitourwebsiteformoreinformation VALPARAISO ORGANIZATION FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING SENIORS (VOLTS)
VOLTSisagroupofseniorsintheareawhoareintellectuallycuriousandliketolearn,particularlywith peers.VOLTSisdirectedbyitsownmembersandnowworksincollaborationwiththeValpoEducation Department Programs,includingguestspeakersandlecturers,arechosenbytheinterestsofthose involved.
AlumniSpotlight
VALPO EDUCATION TEACHERS IN TENNESSEE
Lena Luebbering ‘24 and Lilia Wangerin ’24 took a leap of faith after graduation and decided to find their calling in the classroom in Clarkston, TN. Lena teaches 5th grade Math and Science, while Lilia teaches 3rd grade Special Education We reached out to get the full story:
How did you decide to make the move to Tennessee?
“Our cohort always joked that in Valpo El Ed, we didn’t just find our calling in the classroom, but also our best friends and that story couldn’t be truer for Lena and me! We were blessed to go on service trips in foreign locations during our time at Valpo, and they sparked our interest in teaching in a new area postgrad. We wanted to stay relatively close to home but also far enough away to experience a shift in culture, and Tennessee seemed like the perfect option! We have been so blessed to move here and go through our first year of teaching together ”
-Lilia Wangerin
How do you feel about your first
“I am so thankful for the knowledg s helped me immensely throughout n the best profession, and I can’t wa t for my first year of teaching, and I faculty, staff, and classmates throu -Lilia Wangerin
-Lena Luebbering
“I will never be able to find the words that accurately depict my love & thankfulness for Valpo Elementary Education. The support of our professors & staff throughout our fieldwork and studentteaching experiences is unmatched. They always reassured me, and I graduated without a doubt that I truly did find my calling in the right spot; the classroom! My word of the year is growth I am so excited to see how I can use what I learned at Valpo to grow as a teacher and how my own growth can help my first-ever students grow as well!”
We are so proud of Lilia and Lena and all of our Valpo educators who have gone on to find their calling in the classroom, whether here in Indiana or across the country!
ProgramHighlights
The Department of Education at Valparaiso University is proud to offer several licensure programs to find your calling in the classroom. We invite you to review the information below about the many opportunities available for those seeking a pathway to the teaching profession.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS:
Elementary Education:
The elementary education major prepares teachers with insight and practical experience to positively impact young learners. This major includes a cohort experience and has embedded a minimum of six weeks of full-time practicum experience prior to student teaching.
Pathway to 5-12 Licensure for Content Majors:
Content majors (English, history, science, math, and world languages) can pursue a pathway to 5–12 licensure and ultimately fulfill all requirements to be licensed at the middle and high school teaching level. Pedagogical coursework, embedded classroom practice, and a student teaching semester provide extensive experiences.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS:
Transition to Teaching (T2T):
Transition to Teaching (T2T) is an abbreviated program of pedagogy to prepare career professionals with bachelor's degrees in fields other than education to earn licensure and teach T2T programs include early childhood education (PK-3), elementary education (K-6), and secondary education (5-12).