Education

The Department of Education works with other Arts and Sciences Departments in the College to provide breadth and depth of content and pedagogical knowledge in our teacher education programs. The mission of our teacher education programs is to produce intentional teachers who:

• are able to research, analyze and synthesize new information/points of view and
• practice and acquire new skills and
• are able to use that knowledge and those skills to teach and
• to reflect on and improve their own practice for the benefit of K-12 students.

The core teaching beliefs of the Department of Education faculty – for ourselves, our students and their K-12 students are that:

• High expectations drive achievement.
• Each individual possesses unique talents that must be developed.
• Teaching is a profession that demands specific knowledge, skills and dispositions.
• Learning is an active, life-long process.
• Instruction must be student-centered, challenging, and tied to assessment.
• Assessment must be used to improve instruction and foster individual growth.
• Teachers must advance equity and justice.

With these beliefs as a foundation the Department of Education faculty, in collaboration with our arts and sciences colleagues have build teacher education programs at William Jewell College that seek to assist the student in the development of personal characteristics for responsible citizenship, a Christian life style, and effective professional teaching competence.

Degree programs offered:

• Bachelor of Arts:
  - Elementary Education
  - Secondary Education (dependant upon second, content major)
  
  
• Bachelor of Science:
  - Elementary Education
  - Secondary Education (dependant upon second, content major)

Distinctives:

The Education Department at Jewell is designed to give students “hands-on” experiences early in their college careers. Students begin clinical field experiences in classrooms early, in either their first or second year. With downtown Kansas City only twenty minutes away, field experiences are in diverse urban, rural, and suburban settings, giving future teachers a broad spectrum of experiences.

Future educators will not only be well prepared to teach, they will be prepared to address the needs of a field that is ever-changing. Other educational distinctives are:

• The opportunity for teacher education students to study and teach abroad through the British Teacher Education program.
• William Jewell College has been certifying teachers for the State of Missouri since 1914 and has held membership in the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education since 1959.
• Use of the Teacher Work Sample by WJC student teachers to demonstrate that they have produced learning gains in their students.
• Teachers prepared at WJC quickly assume leadership roles in schools. Many go on to become school administrators or master teachers. Several have achieved the prestigious National Board for Professional Teaching Certification or have become Missouri STARR teachers.
• William Jewell teacher education programs have been approved by the Missouri State Board of Education in the following fields:
  
  • Elementary education 1-6
  • Biology 9-12
  • Art K-12
  • Chemistry 9-12
  • French K-12
  • Physics 9-12
  • Spanish K-12
  • English **5-9, 9-12
  • Instrumental Music K-12
  • Mathematics **5-9, 9-12
  • Vocal Music K-12
  • Science **5-9, 9-12
  • Social Studies **5-9, 9-12
  • Physical Education 9-12
  • Speech and Theatre 9-12

Successful completion of any of these programs of study leads to Missouri teacher certification in that field/grade level. Middle school certification (grades 5-9**) is available only as a second field of certification which must be added to a full teacher education program; also, required middle school courses are offered during even summers only.

Are you ready to put your lesson plans into action? Drop us an email, schedule a visit, or call us toll free (1-888-2-JEWELL).

Education Faculty:

Donna M. Gardner, Ph.D. 
Professor of Education and Chair Dr. Gardner joined the Jewell faculty in 2003 after having worked in teacher education for fourteen years at Washington University in St. Louis. She received a Ph.D. in Education from Saint Louis University and an M.A. and B.S.Ed. in History and a B.A. in Political Science from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman University). Prepared as a secondary social studies teacher, Dr. Gardner teaches in the social/political/historical foundations of education and in educational psychology. She is an active member of AERA, where she has presented numerous times, as well as several other professional organizations. Her research interests include education law and public policy. Dr. Gardner is also active in trying to shape public policy about K-12 schools, teaching and teacher education through work and service in organizations such as the Missouri Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (of which she is past-president) and the Missouri Advisory Council for the Certification of Educators, which she currently Chairs.

Cynthia A. Green, Ed.D. 
Professor of Education Dr. Green received her Ed.D. from Baylor University in 1977, an M.S. from Pittsburg State University in Reading in 1975, an M.Ed. from Abilene Christian University in school administration in 1986, and a B.S. in elementary education from Missouri Southern State College. She has done post-doctoral study at Texas Women's University in early childhood education and Hardin-Simmons University in school administration. Dr. Green holds ten certificates, including: multiple administrator certificates, reading specialist, educational diagnostician, elementary-biology, elementary, kindergarten, and early childhood education-handicapped child. Prior to joining the Jewell faculty she held positions as associate academic dean, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, professor, chair of Elementary and Secondary Education, reading specialist, educational diagnostician for a rehabilitation center, administrator of a kindergarten, administrator of a reading clinic, and teacher. Dr. Green teaches in elementary education, secondary education, and reading-communication arts, and supervises student teachers. Dr. Green is an active member of IRA as well as several other professional organizations. Her research interests include literacy instruction for students with atypical learning needs.

Jeanine L. Haistings, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Jeanine Haistings joined the Jewell faculty full time in 2006 after teaching as an adjunct instructor for six years. She received her doctorate from the University of Kansas where she also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. After graduating with a B.S. in Elementary Education and Middle School Mathematics from William Jewell College in 1992, Dr. Haistings taught in elementary and middle schools for a number of years during which she also earned her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Elementary Mathematics Education and Educational Technology from the University of Memphis. Dr. Haistings currently teaches Content and Methods of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers, Information Technology for Teachers, Reflective Student Teaching Seminar, and Methods of Teaching Integrated Curriculum. Her research interests include virtual mathematics manipulatives, and interdisciplinary techniques of teaching. Dr. Haistings is a member of and presenter at several professional organizations such as the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Alison D. Wenhart, Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Alison Wenhart joined the William Jewell College faculty in the fall of 2006 after having taught for five years at the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University. She received her doctorate from Arizona State University where she also served as an Evening Program Coordinator. Her B.A.E in Elementary Education was received from Arizona State University Tempe in 1996 and her M.A.E, in the same field, was received from Northern Arizona University in 2000. While teaching in Arizona elementary schools for many years Dr. Wenhart discovered a passion for elementary science education that she now imparts to Jewell students. In addition, Dr. Wenhart teaches Elementary Social Studies, PE, and Art methodology, and classroom management, and supervises student teachers. Her research interests focus on preparing pre-service teachers to be highly effective when working with culturally diverse populations of students. Dr. Wenhart is an active member of the National Science Teacher’s Association (NSTA), and The Association of Teacher Education (ATE), where she has presented at several national conferences.