Department of Education

Leslie Cowell, Professor and Dean of the College of Education

Megan Parker Peters, Associate Dean, Professor, and Director of Accreditation and Research

Emily Medlock, Professor and Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education
Sarah Duncan, Associate Professor and edTPA Coordinator for Graduate and Undergraduate Programs

Robbie Hampton, Associate Professor and Lead Faculty, Special Education Graduate and Undergraduate Programs

Suze Gilbert, Associate Professor and Director of Christian Educator Program
Katelyn Hadder, Assistant Professor

Casey Heard, Assistant Professor

Kara Krinks, Assistant Professor

 

The mission of the College of Education is to serve and inspire candidates so that they master the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to become caring and competent educators in a diverse and technological society. The college offers undergraduate and graduate programs built upon the Guiding Truths-Love, Serve, Seek, and Equip. Courses are designed to meet Tennessee licensure and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation standards.

 

The College of Education cooperates with various academic departments to offer the Integrated PreK-3 early childhood major, Elementary Education K-5/SPED major, 6-8 Middle Grades Education majors (Math, English, Social Studies, Science), the special education interventionist K-8 and 6-12 majors, and six programs in grades 6-12 Education majors (biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics and physics). Several academic departments also provide preparation for teaching K-12 (art, theatre, health and physical education, instrumental and vocal music). Programs are offered for PreK-12 endorsements in French and Spanish. Candidates in secondary education will be expected to complete a education major in the academic department/subject or area in which they plan to teach. One may also elect to complete state requirements for endorsement in additional high school subjects. Undergraduate candidates completing most programs may work toward either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree.

 

The College of Education is involved with innovative programs such as the Pionero Scholars Program, Lipscomb Noyce Scholars Program and Christian Educator Program. The Pionero Scholars Program is an initiative that began in the fall of 2015, with the support of a local foundation. The long-term goal of the program is to create a “grow -your-own” pipeline and graduate more local teachers returning to teach in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The Lipscomb Noyce Scholars Program provides scholarships to encourage and support talented STEM majors to become 6-12 math and science teachers. The goal of this program is to develop highly qualified STEM teachers who are committed to teaching in high-need school districts. This program is funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program and is a joint collaboration between Lipscomb’s College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. 

 

The College of Education has been consistently impacting schools across the state in significant ways.  Lipscomb faculty support PK-12 teachers and students by providing professional development for schools and school districts locally and across the state of Tennessee through their work with the Ayers Institute for Learning and Innovation and other partnerships. 

 

The teacher education program at Lipscomb University is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education and nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The recent, March 2020 accreditation visiting team recommended the passage of all standards with no areas for improvement cited. The state team recommended approval of all programs with no weaknesses. The next accreditation visit will be in Spring 2026.  

Because of Lipscomb’s location in the metropolitan Nashville area, candidates majoring in education have a wealth of professional resources and opportunities available to them. Lipscomb education majors enjoy a variety of placements in schools in Metro Nashville and neighboring counties. Special opportunities include magnet schools and schools with large English language learner populations.  Candidates also have opportunities for placements in faith-based and private schools.  Education majors can also earn English as a Second Language endorsement as a part of their program. Programs are developmental in nature. Following admission into teacher education, candidates enroll in proficiency-based courses in which classroom teaching and clinical placements in area schools are fully integrated. Members of the education faculty invest their time and experience in the professional lives of their students, providing opportunities to learn and grow beyond the Lipscomb classroom.

 

Since the department emphasizes working with diverse populations and a variety of stakeholders, candidates visit and participate in area school activities throughout their education at Lipscomb. International student teaching opportunities are also available through Interaction International’s STAGE program. For more information, contact the director of student teaching.

Upon successful completion of the above requirements, a student may be formally admitted to the program. The capstone experience for candidates seeking a teacher education major and licensure is the successful completion of Clinical Practice III (student teaching), the student teaching seminar, a professional portfolio assessment (edTPA), and an exit presentation

Candidates planning to teach in states other than Tennessee should contact the College of Education for requirements which may vary from those in Tennessee and at Lipscomb. In order to be recommended for licensure by Lipscomb University a candidate must complete the following requirements, must pass all required PRAXIS II exams, and must complete and pass edTPA during Clinical Practice III.  (These requirements may be changed as mandated by the State of Tennessee.)

 

Christian Educator Designation (optional)

The mission of the Christian Educator Designation is to prepare teacher candidates to be effective educators within Christian school environments. This mission includes (1) education coursework that prepares teacher candidates for the Christian School environment through multiple courses featuring curriculum focused on the specific needs of the Christian educator; (2) intentional field placements at partner Christian schools; and (3) spiritual growth for candidates and those they will educate. The Christian Educator program’s goals are (1) to prepare teacher candidates for the content, issues, and experiences unique to the Christian Education environment; (2) to teach new educators how to intentionally integrate faith into academic content; and (3) to support on-going educational opportunities within the Christian Education community.

The heart of the Christian Educator program is found in the College of Education curriculum, embedded in the several Christian Educator program designated courses (e.g., Cultural Perspectives). In addition, professional learning opportunities for both in-service and pre-service educators focused on the needs of Christian educators will be offered annually at Lipscomb. Christian Educator candidates will be required to participate in the professional development offerings each year of their program and will attend at no additional cost. Candidates choosing to be recognized with a Christian Educator Designation will experience a combination of curricular and extracurricular learning environments throughout their time at Lipscomb.

The Christian Educator Designation

To achieve the Christian Educator designation, students must submit an application to the College of Education and successfully complete 15 hours of Christian Educator course credit. In addition, Christian Educator Designation candidates must participate in the Christian Education professional development each year of their education program and provide a reflection response to the Director following professional development offerings.

Christian Educator Designation completers will be recognized at graduation exercises, and the designation will be recorded on their transcript. This designation denotes the candidate’s interest and investment in preparing for work in a Christian education environment.

Christian Educator Designation Experiences:

CEP 1: Schooling in America (ED 2313) 
CEP 2: Cultural Perspectives (ED 3343)
CEP 3: Clinical Practice I (ED3636)
CEP 4: Clinical Practice II (ED 3649)
CEP 5: Clinical Practice III (ED 47XC)/Student Teaching

Christian Educator Designation Enrollment Process:
Candidates will complete the application for Christian Educator Program during ED2313 Schooling in America. Once admitted, candidates will join the CEP Canvas course and attend the introductory session with the Director of the Christian Educator Program. In addition, CEP candidates must participate in the Christian Education profession developments each year.

The Christian Education Designation will be recorded on the transcript. The designation denotes the candidate’s interest and investment in preparing for work in a Christian education environment.
 

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