Program Background
Wheaton College was founded in 1860 by social reformer Jonathan Blanchard. President Blanchard actively and persistently lobbied for the abolition of slavery, universal coeducation of our nation’s schools and colleges, and the abolishment of caste-like conditions in the United States.

Before the founding of Wheaton, Blanchard, as the second president of Knox College, fought for excellence in the public schools in Galesburg, Illinois. His commitment to public education was so strong that he stated he would rather see the college close down before it took precedence over the local public schools or its own private academy. Wheaton College’s role in public and private elementary and secondary education was also established early. From its founding until well into the twentieth century, the college maintained a secondary school which is now the independent Wheaton Academy. However, due to the college’s philosophy and curriculum (which meets Illinois state certification requirements), the public sphere remains a central focus of our program.

Within the context of this heritage, the Department of Education at Wheaton College has been committed to public and private education and plays an activist role in reforming institutions from within. Jonathan Blanchard’s son and presidential successor, Charles, was an advocate for the National Education Association and regularly participated in its meetings. Current department members continue to actively participate by holding offices in both public and private education associations and attempt to maintain a balance between the demands of the theoretical discipline and practical application.

General Philosophy of the Department
Because of our unique heritage and commitment to public education, the department infuses its pedagogy with a commitment to reforming our nation’s schools. Equal to that spirit of reformation is an overriding concern to maintain the development of moral character within the context of our nation’s Judeo-Christian heritage. (It is important to note, however, that Wheaton recognizes, respects, and supports the separation of church and state.) We reclaim the same nineteenth century ideals that drove a nation to abolish slavery, reform social ills in urban areas and commit to making education available to all regardless of class, gender or race.

Wheaton College Model for Teacher Education is developmentally appropriate curriculum, structured around experiences and theoretical constructs which cultivate and promote scholarship, service and reform.

The Wheaton Teacher Education Program (WheTEP) is an experience-oriented program based on the liberal arts. The conceptual framework for the program is The Teacher as as Agent of Change. There is considerable emphasis on involving teacher education students with school-age youth in each of the four years. The Department of Education is devoted to preparing Christian young people to serve as teachers in the public, private and Christian schools of our nation and the world. Students in teacher education are encouraged to explore biblical teachings and perspectives as they relate to the role of the teacher in the typical classroom.

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