Program Distinctives
World Class Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff in the Department of Education at Wheaton college combine a passion for students, teaching, research and interpersonal support. Courses are discussion-based with real life, hands-on experiences and interactions, connecting theory to practice in order to prepare students for their future classrooms. Faculty and staff take pride in developing lifelong relationships with their students that mutually support their continued professional development as educators.
Mentoring
Faculty and staff actively seek mentoring relationships with students both at the academic and spiritual level. Additionally, students in Wheaton’s education programs have unique opportunities to be part of mentoring groups. Mentoring groups may focus around an education course or a topic of interest and are available for student participation regardless of class. Some recent examples include: culturally-responsive curriculum for language learners, supporting the writing skills of teacher candidates, a book study based on a children’s author, and effective math strategies for elementary students.
Experience-Based
The Wheaton Teacher Education Program (WheTEP) is an experienced-based program that combines theory and practice from the first year of education courses. Starting in their Freshmen year, students are engaged in cross-cultural tutoring opportunities that provide academic support for immigrants, refugees, and other underrepresented groups. Next, Sophomores are placed in local elementary and middle-school classrooms as teacher aides for licensed teachers. As Juniors, students complete both a methods practicum and a learning differences practicum in a local school classroom in preparation for student teaching. In their Senior year, students will complete a semester-long student teaching experience.
Research
There are multiple opportunities for students to engage in research projects at various levels under the guidance of Education faculty. Opportunities include: research that is used by students, faculty and staff; research that leads to conference presentations; research that leads to co-author publications with faculty.