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EIU Department of Teaching, Learning, & Foundations

If you are thinking about teaching children in either self-contained or departmentalized classrooms, the programs in Teaching, Learning, & Foundations are designed just for you!

  • Our programs are designed to provide learning experiences that will assist students in developing into highly competent and effective teachers.
  • Faculty create motivating learning environments through the use of innovative techniques and reflective practices.
  • Our programs are nationally accredited and standards-aligned
  • We provide numerous field experience opportunities in schools and social agencies throughout the program
  • Interactions between staff and students foster collaborative scholarly activities
  • Teacher Graduate survey results indicate high satisfaction with teacher preparation program.
  • We offer both on and off-campus programs.

The Department of Teaching, Learning, & Foundations is dedicated to providing future educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to meet the challenges of today's classroom.

Why Choose EIU for Education

Recruited Graduates

The Teaching, Learning, & Foundations Department has been ranked one of the top teacher candidate preparation programs in the state. We strive to advance the scholarly preparation of pre-service and practicing teachers by providing quality instruction that exemplifies the best teaching practices for children from birth through age fourteen - recognizing multiple pathways to learning. The Department is committed to enhancing the academic experiences of our students in an effort to fashion educators who function effectively in a culturally diverse, technologically advanced, and global environment.

Collaborative Partnerships

The Department of Teaching, Learning, & Foundations is proud to have a long legacy of preparing future educators in a program inclusive of the core components of integrated learning (intentionality, reflection, problem-solving, collaboration and meta-cognition). https://www.eiu.edu/acaffair/IntegrativeLearning/EIUIntegrativeLearning.php

Online Grad Program

Our ONLINE program is for all teachers (preK-12th) and flexibly adapts for all content areas.

The graduate curriculum encompasses comprehensive content knowledge and promotes the use of critical thinking and problem solving to cultivate teacher-researchers who are empowered to serve as leaders in the profession. Faculty members challenge students to bridge the gap between theory and practice as they develop the skills required for ethical and effective collaboration and communication within the local school community and a culturally diverse, technologically advanced global environment. We're excited about your interest in our program, so make sure you explore the whole site. We especially encourage you to learn more about the program or even look into applying!

Research and Scholarship

As a result of the scholarship and research interests of the faculty, candidates at all levels are enriched with opportunities to participate on faculty research teams in furthering the mission of the Department. Examples of current projects include: The Early Childhood Educator Preparation Program Grant; the Illinois Higher Education Partnership Grant /Response to Intervention Practices; and the Illinois Higher Education Partnership Grant/Common Core Standards Implementation.

Programs

B.S.Ed in Early Childhood Education

The B.S.Ed in Early Childhood Education leads to teacher licensure with an Early Childhood (birth through grade 2) endorsement. Graduates are employed as teachers in pre-primary and primary classrooms as well as private preschool centers. Click here for more information on this program.

B.S.Ed in Elementary Education

The B.S.Ed in Elementary Education leads to teacher licensure with an Elementary (grades 1-6) endorsement. Graduates are prepared to teach reading, writing, science, mathematics, social studies, critical thinking skills, and problem solving strategies to elementary school students in self-contained classrooms. Click here for more information on this program.

B.S.Ed in Middle Level Education

The B.S.Ed in Middle Level Education leads to teacher licensure with endorsements in middle grades (grades 5-8) literacy/language arts and a subject area of their choice (middle grades mathematics, middle grades social science, or middle grades general science). Graduates are prepared to teach adolescents transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Click here for more information on this program.

Secondary Education and Foundations

Our programs are recognized by state and national accrediting agencies including the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Illinois State Teacher Certification Board. Post-baccalaureate students seeking a teaching license in their undergraduate majors are encouraged to apply. Click here for more information on this program.

Off-Campus Program

A cohort involves a group of qualified candidates progressing together through a series of courses over a period of time, working toward graduation and certification. Our undergraduate cohorts are typically offered on a 2-year cycle and are scheduled to include Spring, Summer, and Fall coursework. Click here for more information on this program.

Graduate Program

The fully online graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction advances scholarly preparation by providing quality teaching and promoting excellence in research/creative activity. The MSED C&I program is designed to advance the professional work and studies of pre-k-grade 12 teachers and offers areas of emphasis in curriculum development, reading and ESL. Click here for more information on this program.

Meet our Faculty/Staff

Dr. Kiran Padmaraju

Professor

Dr. Padmaraju teaches undergraduate courses focusing on elementary education, along with graduate courses with emphasis on Language Arts methods and ESL. She has been teaching at Eastern since 2003 and is also an alum of EIU as she completed her Master's here. She has been involved in Study Abroad programs and has made multiple presentations at conferences hosted by Association of Teacher Educators at the regional, national and international conferences. Her research interests include Integrating Emerging Technologies, Self-Efficacy in Pre-service Teachers, English Language Learners, Language Arts Pedagogies, and Classroom Management.

Dr. Daniel Carter

Associate Professor
MSED C&I Graduate Coordinator

In his role as the MSED C&I graduate coordinator, Dr. Carter assists with the graduate school admission process and supports graduate advancement throughout the program. He also instructs courses at the graduate level, primarily EDU 5520 High Quality Instruction and EDF 5500 Curriculum Development. Dr. Carter also serves as the Teaching, Learning, & Foundations assistant chair. His areas of expertise include upper elementary education and STEM instruction.

Mrs. Julie Viertel

Academic Advisor

Julie Viertel works with Elementary and Early Childhood preservice teachers to guide them through curricular choices as they pursue their majors. This one-on-one work is vital to students, providing them customized advice. Her 20-plus years in education (EC, ELE, and MLE) helps direct the students in their journey to become a teacher. Julie is a strong, experienced resource for our students navigating the educational terrain. Her main role is to advise students, but she also instructs our ELE 1050 class: Introduction to Teaching as a Profession. She is a great resource for TLF majors, so please reach out to her if you have questions.

 

Related Pages

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONCollege of EducationStudent TeachingFinancial Aid

Contact Information

Department of Teaching, Learning and Foundations

Buzzard Hall
1920 9th Street
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-5728
coe@eiu.edu

Ngozi Onuora, Department Chair

(217) 581-7883
nonuora@eiu.edu

Jeff Duck, Advisor

(217) 581-7895
jaduck@eiu.edu

Julie Viertel, Advisor

(217) 581-7893
jviertel@eiu.edu


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