EDucation
The Secondary Education program prepares students to become intentional, reflective teachers in grades 9–12 or K–12, depending on their certification area. Students combine education coursework with specialized content knowledge to design effective instruction, assess learning, and support diverse students.
Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach effectively within their chosen content area. They learn to consider students’ developmental differences, readiness levels, backgrounds, and individual needs when planning and delivering instruction.
Students learn to design and implement clear, coherent, standards-based instruction using high-leverage teaching strategies. Coursework in disciplinary literacy and methods of instruction helps students translate their content expertise into effective learning experiences for K–12 students.
Students also develop skills in assessment and instructional decision-making. They learn to use assessments and evidence of student performance to evaluate learning and modify future instruction to better support their students.
Through clinical fieldwork and student teaching, students gain experience managing classroom environments and working with diverse learners. They become reflective practitioners who use feedback from supervisors, colleagues, professional organizations, and research to strengthen their teaching and contribute to positive educational environments.
The Secondary Education major combines professional education coursework with a student’s chosen content teaching field. Education coursework includes culturally responsive teaching, psychology and education of diverse learners, high-leverage teaching strategies, instructional design and assessment, disciplinary literacy, differentiated instruction, and student teaching.
Students progressively develop their teaching skills through clinical fieldwork before completing student teaching in a secondary school or, for K–12 certification areas, across appropriate grade levels. This progression gives students opportunities to connect educational theory with classroom practice while receiving guidance and feedback from experienced educators.
Students seeking 9–12 certification complete the Secondary Education major along with the required coursework in their content field. K–12 certification is available in approved areas such as music and Spanish, with specific program requirements. Students should work closely with an education advisor to ensure they meet all content and certification requirements.
Secondary educators have the opportunity to combine their passion for a subject with the ability to help young people learn, grow, and prepare for their futures. Graduates are prepared to create engaging, respectful classrooms where students can develop knowledge, confidence, and critical-thinking skills.
The skills developed through the program can also support careers in educational organizations, curriculum and instructional support, youth programs, and graduate study in education and related fields.
Potential career paths include:
Clinical fieldwork is integrated throughout the Secondary Education program, allowing students to progressively gain experience in K–12 classrooms. Students observe, participate in, and eventually lead instruction while developing their professional teaching skills.
The program culminates in student teaching, where students take on substantial responsibility for planning, instruction, assessment, and classroom management under the guidance of experienced educators.
William Jewell’s Secondary Education program prepares students for Missouri teacher certification in approved 9–12 and K–12 fields. Students seeking 9–12 certification must complete the Secondary Education major along with required coursework in their chosen content field.
Approved certification areas include Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Social Science, and Spanish. Specific requirements vary by certification area, and students should work closely with an education advisor to plan their program.
Students interested in Secondary Education should identify their desired teaching field early and work with an education advisor to plan both education and content-area coursework. This is particularly important because certification requires specific coursework beyond the core education curriculum.
Students can also pursue classroom, tutoring, youth development, and other educational experiences outside of required fieldwork. These opportunities can help students explore different age groups and educational settings while building professional experience.
Michael Stoll, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Program Director of Education
Jeanine Haistings, Ph.D.
Professor of Education and Clinical Coordinator
Allison Lassiter, Ed.D.
Professor of Education
