Education Department

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.

Links

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• Candidate Handbook
• York College Teacher Application for Admission
• ​CAEP Institutional Report
• ​CAEP Accreditation
• ​CAEP Action Letter
• Student Teacher Handbook
• Teacher Education Placement
• Teacher Education Policies
• Title II
• Nebraska DOE Accreditation Links
• ​Satisfaction of Employers
• Satisfaction of Completers
• CAEP
• Contact Us

Certification Areas in Education

Elementary 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. Sarah M. Van Gomple
Assistant Professor of Education

 

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
  

Physical Education 

York College offers a physical education program, as well as endorsements in this area for other education majors.
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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 6th through 12th grade classrooms.
Students can increase their skills and workplace marketability by adding up to two areas of endorsement with this major:

• Business, Marketing & Information Technology 
• English
• Mathematics
• History
• Social Sciences​
• Speech (supplemental add on)
• Theatre (supplemental add on)

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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 Arts in Education

 

York College offers a Master of Arts in Education is 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. 

Department 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.

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