Education

The Department of Education

The York College Education Department:

Has received NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) accreditation. This is the highest standard for the preparation of classroom teachers.
Provides every student with at least 100 hours of classroom experience before student teaching in qualified K-12 schools.
Places all first-year education majors in schools during their first semester at York College.
Includes faculty who are active, involved and professional. They take time to know and mentor their students.
Allows students to individualize endorsements and concentration areas in order to have increased marketability.
Prepares graduates with the knowledge, skills and disposition needed to be successful Christian educators.
Provides placement services and advising for Education and Physical Education majors and graduates. The department boasts a very high placement rate for graduates who seek education employment after graduation.

In addition to classroom teaching, graduates may pursue advanced degrees in school counseling and administration.

Programs in the Education Major

Art Education

Elementary Education

Middle Grades Education

Secondary Education

Physical Education

Special Education

Vocal Music Education

Master of Arts in Education

Meet Our Faculty

Dr. Erin E. DeHart
Chair of the Department of Education
Associate Professor of Education

Mr. Robert E. DeHart
Chair of the Department of Physical Education
Associate Professor of Physical Education

Mrs. Gail L. Miller
Associate Professor of Biology

Mr. Chad E. Karcher
Assistant Professor of Physical Education

Mr. Theophylieus (Tree) T. Burks
Adjunct Instructor of Physical Education

Mrs. Sarah M. Van Gomple
Assistant Professor of Education

Mr. Timothy J. Alvis
Adjunct Instructor of Art

Mr. Brian E. Walth
Adjunct Instructor of Physical Education

Mr. Tim Carr
Adjunct Instructor of Education

Mr. Blaine R. Friesen
Adjunct Instructor of Education

Ms. Rochelle P. Geiger
Adjunct Instructor of Education

Mr. Erik L. Gray
Adjunct Instructor of Physical Education

Program Learning Outcomes

Standard #1: Learner Development
The candidate understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

Standard #2: Learning Differences
The candidate uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

Standard #3: Learning Environments
The candidate works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Standard #4: Content Knowledge
The candidate understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

Standard #5: Application of Content
The candidate understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Standard #6: Assessment
The candidate understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the candidate’s and learner’s decision making.

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction
The candidate plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Standard #8: Instructional Strategies
The candidate understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
The candidate engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration
The candidate seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Art Education

Graduates of the art education program at York College are certified to teach art in a K-12 setting. Students in this program will develop methods for teaching children and adolescents to think visually and create art in many styles and mediums. This program has an articulation agreement with Concordia University, so some courses are offered at Concordia’s Seward campus, approximately 30 miles from York.

Courses

Some of the courses you may take include:

Freehand Drawing and Composition I/II
Two Dimensional Design
Art Appreciation
Watercolor
Introduction to Oil Painting
Basic Photography
Sculpture
Secondary Art Methods

Three Dimensional Design
Ceramics
Introduction to Graphic Design
Teaching Art in Elementary/Middle Grades
Printmaking
Art History
Instructional Technologies
Multicultural Awareness

Elementary Education

Graduates of the elementary education program are certified to teach in kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms. Prior to student teaching, elementary education majors complete more than 100 hours of field experience, observing local elementary classrooms.

York College works closely with area schools and afterschool programs to offer our students the best real-world experience possible. The elementary education program is the largest program offered by the York College Department of Education.

Courses

Some of the courses you may take include:

Teaching Art in the Elementary and Middle Grades
Introduction to Learners with Exceptionalities
Inclusion and Collaborative Partnerships
Field Experience in Elementary/Middle Grades
Educational Psychology: Learning & Evaluation
Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary and Middle Grades
Children’s Literature
Educational Technologies

Instructional Interventions for Learning Disabilities
Instructional Interventions for Behavioral Disorders, At-Risk Students
Transitions to Career/Vocation/Community
Planning and Managing Special Education Programs
Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation
Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary and Middle Grades
Human Relations/Multicultural Awareness
Teaching Science in the Elementary and Middle Grades

Middle Grades Education

Graduates of York College who study middle grades education are certified to teach in 4th through 9th grade classrooms. Students can increase their skills and workplace marketability by adding up to two areas of endorsement:

Social Studies
English/Language Arts
Mathematics
Science

The middle grades education major is the most comprehensive education programs offered at York College. The faculty focuses on diversity issues and experiential learning throughout the program. A point of differentiation for this program is a special travel course offered on teaching the Holocaust, which includes a trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Graduates of the middle grades education program are in especially high demand in the special education arena. There is a great need for certified teachers for students with mild disabilities in K-12 classrooms across Nebraska and the United States.

Courses

Courses vary based on your area of specialization. See the plans below to view courses you may take in the Middle Grades Education program.

Physical Education

York College offers a physical education program, as well as endorsements in this area for other education majors.

Graduates of the physical education program are certified to teach kindergarten through 12th grade P.E. classes. A coaching endorsement is built into the program, so graduates are also prepared to lead extracurricular sports programs. Prior to student teaching, physical education majors complete more than 100 hours of field experience, observing a wide variety of P.E. classrooms, from elementary through high school, including adaptive P.E. York College works closely with area schools and after school programs to offer our students the best real-world experience possible.

A supplemental endorsement, Adaptive Physical Education, is available to students who have completed or are working toward a physical education endorsement. This program also can be paired with a coaching endorsement.

Courses

First Aid & Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
Comprehensive School Health
Adapted Physical Education
Teaching Health & Physical Education

Anatomy/Physiology for Physical Education
Organization & Administration of Physical Education Programs
Kinesiology
Physiology of Exercise
Concepts of Coaching and Officiating
Physical Education Non-Rhythmic Activities

Secondary Education

Graduates of York College who study secondary education are certified to teach in 7th through 12th grade classrooms.
Students can increase their skills and workplace marketability by adding up to two areas of endorsement with this major:

Business Education
English
Mathematics
Science
Biology
History
Social Sciences
Psychology
Speech (supplemental add on)
Theatre (supplemental add on)

The faculty focuses on diversity issues and experiential learning throughout the secondary education program. A point of differentiation for this program is a special travel course offered on teaching the Holocaust, which includes a trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Graduates of the secondary education program are in especially high demand in the special education arena. There is a great need for certified teachers for students with mild disabilities in K-12 classrooms across Nebraska and the United States.

Prior to student teaching, secondary education majors complete more than 100 hours of field experience, observing local high school classrooms. York College works closely with area schools to offer our students the best real-world experience possible.

Courses

Interpersonal Communication
Health Education
Human Growth and Development
Adolescent Psychology
Introduction to Learners w/ Exceptionalities
Field Experience in Secondary Education I/II

Educational Psychology: Learning & Evaluation
Human Relations/Multicultural Awareness
Instructional Technologies
Secondary Methods
Student Teaching Seminar
Student Teaching

Special Education

Special Education (K-12) is a program in special education and second endorsement only for education degrees. Program requirement: Minimum depends on first endorsement field. Second endorsement in Adaptive Physical Education is available for physical education and special education majors.

Courses

Introduction to Learners with Exceptionalities
Inclusion & Collaborative Partnerships
Instructional Interventions for Learning Disabilities
Instructional Interventions for Mental Disabilities/Handicaps
Instructional Interventions for Behavioral Disorders, At-Risk Students
Transitions to Career/Vocation/Community
Planning and Managing Special Education Programs

Assessment Diagnosis and Evaluation
Student Teaching
Field Experience in Elementary/Middle Grades
Field Experience in Secondary Education I
Adapted Physical Education
Foundations of Reading Instruction
Reading Strategies for Elemen. and Middle Grades
Reading Diagnosis/Remediation of Reading Difficulties

Vocal Music Education

See information about the vocal music education and vocal music performance programs on the music department page. Majors will participate in many ensembles, productions, and performance opportunities. Placement for music education majors seeking full time employment after graduation is 100%. For questions about this program, please contact Dr. Clark Roush, Professor of Music and Endowed Chair for the Performing Arts.

Courses

Introduction to Learners with Exceptionalities
Introduction to Education
Field Experience in Elementary/Middle Grades
Field Experience in Secondary Education I
Educational Psychology: Learning & Evaluation
Human Relations/Multicultural Awareness
Instructional Technologies
Student Teaching Seminar
Student Teaching
Writing & Reading for Secondary Content Areas
Elementary Music Methods

Private Piano Instruction
Private Voice Instruction
The Voice and Vocal Production
Ear Training
Music Theory
Music Ensemble
Concert Choir
Music Literature
Diction
Conducting
Music History
Planning and Producing Music Production

Master of Education Curriculum and Instruction

York College offers a Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction 100 percent online. This program is designed for adult learners with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. If you currently serve, or expect to serve as a K-12 principal, teacher, project manager, or training and development professional, this interdisciplinary program will enhance your ability to develop curriculum and instruction training in your chosen profession. Using a researched-based methodology, you can acquire the skills necessary to create an effective and welcoming teaching-learning environment. For more information or to apply to this program, please visit online.york.edu.