Education

Education

We believe teacher education is a cooperative venture in building relationships and empowering candidates to be knowledgeable, skillful, and inspiring professionals who focus on the interests, welfare, and success of learners.

We believe teacher education is a cooperative venture in building relationships and empowering candidates to be knowledgeable, skillful, and inspiring professionals who focus on the interests, welfare, and success of learners.

Majors & Endorsements

Majors
  • Art PreK - 12
  • Biology 6-12
  • Elementary Education P-6
  • English 6-12
  • Health & Physical Education PreK-12
  • Mathematics 6-12
  • Music - Instrumental PreK-12
  • Music - Vocal PreK-12
  • Social Science 6-12
Endorsements

Endorsements for teacher licensure allow candidates who are completing the requirements for a teaching major to add areas for which they desire to be licensed to teach. The following endorsements are available:


  • Special Education High-Incidence (P-6, 6-12, or PreK-12)
  • English Language Learners (P-6 or 6-12)
  • Middle Level 5-8 (Social Studies, Math, English, Science)

For information about specific courses related to these majors, check the College Catalog

General Program Requirements

Candidates are required to submit a Background Self-Disclosure Form as the state of Kansas might deny licensure to a candidate who has been convicted of a felony in specified classifications, or who has entered into a diversion agreement for such offenses 


Admission to the Teacher Education Program 

All candidates wishing to be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program are approved by the Teacher Education Coordinators (TEC) committee after meeting the following criteria: 

1. Sophomore standing and cumulative GPA of 2.75 

2. Pass with a C or higher: 

  • ED100, Introduction to Teacher Education and the Teaching Profession 
  • ED200, Introduction to Teaching: Classroom Experience 
  • One MA1XX course 
  • One ID20X Writing, Research, or Religion course 


For more program information regarding requirements for Admission to Clinical Practice, please refer to Bethany’s Teacher Education Handbook and Assessment Manual →

Licensure Eligibility

Requirements to apply for a Kansas teaching license: 

  • Complete all Bethany College program requirements including student teaching
  • Pass the Bethany College Teacher Work Sample (TWS) with a score of 110. 
  • Pass the appropriate PRAXIS Content Test required subject area in which license is sought.


 Application for Licensure for Current Students and Alumni 

  • Applications and background check information for licensure are found on the Kansas Department of Education website (ksde.org).  
  • For licensure in another state, candidates must first obtain a Kansas teaching license. Some states may be able to transfer licenses. Review the state’s department of education website to learn about license transfer or specific teacher licensure forms and instructions. 
  • Steps to Licensure →


Licensure Disclosure Statement regarding the U.S. Department of Education federal regulation Section 668.43 A-C 

Bethany College’s Teacher Education Program has been accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education and meets the requirements for a professional teaching license in the state of Kansas. Additional conditions may be required for teacher licensure in other states. Bethany College Teacher Education Department is not required to determine whether the college’s courses, program or curriculum meet the educational requirements for licensure in states other than Kansas. Students planning to seek a professional teaching license outside of Kansas are strongly recommended to meet with Bethany College’s licensure officer. 

   

Find Bethany’s Clinical Practice Guide here

 Accreditation

Bethany College’s Teacher Education Program was officially accredited by the Kansas State Board of Education on March 11, 2021, and fully accredited by Kansas State Department of Education until December 31, 2027, when the next review takes place. The program met all standards required by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which ensures the quality of the education program leading to teacher licensure for students who are wanting to teach in elementary, middle, or secondary levels. Bethany’s approved programs include P-6 Elementary Education, 6-12 programs in Biology, English, Math, and Social Science Teaching. PreK-12 teaching programs are offered in Art, Health/Physical Education, and Vocal and Instrumental Music Teaching. Students can add endorsements in P-6, 6-12 English Language Learners (ELL) and Special Education High Incidence in PreK-12, P-6, or 6-12.

Bethany was the first private college in Kansas to be accredited by NCATE in 1954.


Accreditation Documents can be found here →

 

Course Offerings
Courses listed here are a sampling of those offered, and may be added to or deleted at any time, and specific offerings may vary by semester. Please consult the current College Catalog for upcoming course schedules.

  • Introduction to Teaching: Classroom Experience
  • Diversity and Pluralism in Education
  • Classroom Management
  • Educational Psychology
  • Foundations of Education
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Introduction to Infants, Children and Youth with Special Needs
  • Foundations of Literacy
  • Instructional Technology
  • Foundations of Special Education
  • Health, Movement & Wellness in the Elementary Classroom
  • Methods of Teaching and Assessing English Language Learners

When studying education at Bethany, you will receive:
 

  • Small classes with high-quality instruction;
  • Faculty and staff who care about student learning;
  • Education faculty who have classroom teaching experience;
  • Collaboration with local school districts that places you in the classroom; In-class experiences working with in-service teachers;
  • Methods classes based on theory and real-life situations.
  • Courses designed to help confirm your decision about an educational career early in your college education.

 

Education Faculty & Staff

  • Education Faculty & Staff

    Education Faculty & Staff


  • Latest from the

    Education Department

    31 Jan, 2024
    In a strategic move to enhance the educational experience for its students and contribute to the local community, Bethany College has officially entered a groundbreaking partnership with the Lindsborg Child Development Center (LCDC). This collaboration comes as a response to the recent change in Kansas State Board of Education certifications, which now includes preschool education as part of the elementary education curriculum.
    07 Apr, 2022
    Dr. Alan English, Assistant Professor of Education and Coordinator of Secondary Education attended the Association of Teacher Educators National Conference in Chicago this past February. While in Chicago Dr. English gave three academic presentations titled: "Assessing the Role of Exposure to Learning Styles Theory on K-12 Teachers" "Engagement and Compliance in Education Today" "A Voice for Teacher Education: The Advocate" “Assessing the Role of Exposure to Learning Styles Theory on K-12 Teachers” was well received by conference attendees who provided a considerable amount of feedback and support on the research he will be conducting during the Fall 2022 semester. The intended goal of the research he conducts is to make himself and his students better teachers. Bethany College is a student-focused institution. Toward that end, the research he will be conducting is intended to drive best practices in his classroom as well as in the classrooms of his students. Dr. English is currently the President-Elect of the Association of Teacher Educators of Kansas (ATE-K). With that leadership position, he hopes to be able to drive policy and best practices in education throughout the state. This will impact his past, present, and future students who pursue a teaching career. President Mauch shares, “the Faculty Development Committee was created to support faculty research to enrich the experience of our students, and I look forward to seeing how Dr. English's research benefits the Department of Education here at Bethany.” The Faculty Development Committee at Bethany College assisted in travel costs thanks to the Burmeister and Woodward Endowments. Henry ‘17 and Olinda Burmeister established their award to encourage the development of our faculty. Similarly, the Woodward Endowment for Creative Teaching and Learning will support a variety of activities to enhance creative teaching and effective student learning. Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
    11 Mar, 2022
    Education Department and KTOY Presenters Front row: (L to R) Amanda Ketterling - Bonner Springs Elementary School, Natalie Johnson-Berry - Shawnee Mission North High School, Gretchen Norland, Ed.D - Associate Professor of Education, Michelle Barreiro, M.A - Assistant Professor of Education, Lisa Martinez - Seaman High School Back row: (L to R) Kristin Salazar - Eisenhower High School, Susanne Stevenson - Beeson Elementary School, Laurie Thisius - Cheney Elementary School, Alan English, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor of Education, Kelley Menke, M.A. - Licensure Officer & Placement Coordinator
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