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The Elementary Education Program

Students of the William Penn University Elementary Education program are placed regularly in an elementary school setting to demonstrate their effectiveness in a K–6 environment. The Elementary Education program is designed to facilitate key concepts within an elementary environment, while applying experience to better prepare students for future teaching opportunities.

Distance Learning

At William Penn, we understand completing your education degree on our traditional campus may not be an option for you. That’s why we offer a Distance Learning program, specifically designed for those busy individuals who want to earn an elementary education degree or endorsement, on their own terms. With the use of an online platform and the dedication of our instructors, our Distance Learning program offers you the flexible scheduling you need to achieve your goals.

Careers

After completing this program students will have developed complex problem solving skills and effective communication abilities, allowing them to be reflective practitioners in their classrooms. Recent graduates of the William Penn Elementary Elementary Education program have been employed with the following schools:

  • Pekin Middle School
  • Oskaloosa Elementary School
  • Albia Community School District
  • Des Moines Public Schools
  • Moravia Elementary School
  • Twin Cedars Community School District
  • Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Elementary School
  • Knoxville Community School District
  • North Mahaska Community School District

Internships

(Practicum and Student Teaching)

Classroom experience provides preparation in teacher development. Students are required to enhance their teaching qualifications by assisting local elementary teachers in a professional setting. Once their education process is complete, students are then required to teach K–6 students for 16 week supports. Students practice their behavioral management, organization, and classroom management skills in a professional classroom environment. With hands-on experience in an elementary setting, education students are ready to begin their careers shortly after completion of education requirements. Recent student teachers have been assigned to the following area school districts:

  • Oskaloosa Community School District
  • North Mahaska Community School District
  • Pella Community School District
  • Ottumwa Community School District
  • Knoxville Community School District
  • Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Elementary School
  • Montezuma Elementary School
  • Sigourney Elementary School

Faculty

Dana Oswald, M.A.

Assistant Professor of Education, Assessment Coordinator, Licensure Official 641-673-1113 Email

Stephen Henderson, Ed.D.

Associate Professor of Education 641-673-1335 Email

Shane Ehresman, Ed.S.

Assistant Professor | Director of Distance Learning 641-673-1193 319-461-6325 Email

We are proud of the collaborative partnership we have with our local school districts. Our highly qualified Education TEAM strives to deliver an outstanding education for every student.

Cathy Williamson, Chair of Education Division and Associate Professor of Education

Organizations

William Penn University’s Education Club promotes a fun learning environment for current students. Club members make frequent trips to local schools to help tutor and demonstrate important leadership qualities. Upon permission, students will volunteer and judge elementary science and history fairs, as well as other fun events which portray the growth in elementary education.

Courses

Students of the Elementary Education program will take the following courses:

Elementary Education Professional Core courses

  • EDUC 100:01 Introduction to Elementary Education (With 12-hour field experience)
  • EDUC 200 Social Foundations of American Education
  • EDUC 203 Foundations of Reading
  • EDUC 205 WPU Seminar (transfer students)
  • EDUC 218 Elementary Physical Education and Health Methods
  • EDUC 240 Elementary Fine Arts Methods
  • EDUC 265 Children’s Literature
  • EDUC 350 Media Methods
  • EDUC 355 Classroom Management
  • EDUC 365 Human Relations for Teachers

FALL BLOCK

  • EDUC 370 Teaching of Reading
  • EDUC 373 Literacy 25-Hour Field Experience
  • EDUC 378 Elementary Social Studies Methods

SPRING BLOCK

  • EASL 250 Language Acquisition
  • EDUC 372 Elementary Math Methods
  • EDUC 374 Elementary Language Arts Methods
  • EDUC 376 Elementary Science Methods
  • EDUC 379 Math 25-Hour Field

Other Required Courses for Elementary Education

  • EDSP 100 Introduction to Exceptional Learners
  • EDSP 280 Collaboration Strategies
  • EDSP 360 Diagnosis and Treatment of Reading Difficulties
  • EDSP 370 Educational Assessment
  • EDSP 385 Differentiated Instruction Methods & Strategies (K-8)
  • HIST 230 Social Science for Elementary Education
  • MATH 205 Math for Elementary Educators I
  • MATH 206 Math for Elementary Educators II
  • PHSC 100 Physical Science for Elementary Ed
  • PSYC 303 Developmental & Educational Psychology
  • EDUC 400 Elementary Student Teaching

Endorsements

  • Math (K-8)
  • Reading (K-8)
  • Reading (5-12)
  • Strategist I (K-8)
  • Strategist I (5-12)