Elementary Education majors at Ozarks are engaged in important discussions about the role of the public schools in producing educated citizens, and address the question, “What is the proper education of the people?” Elementary teachers form the foundation of that proper education, so our majors display competency in many content areas including literacy, language, life science, physical science, mathematics, fine arts, psychology, and computer science. Ozarks elementary education majors understand how the information to be learned in those content areas can be deployed through a host of methods and strategies grounded in theoretical and philosophical constructs from a knowledge base that all students in the classroom learn through different styles and at different rates.
Degree Outcomes
The majority of our students become practicing teachers in both public and private K-6 classrooms in the United States and abroad.
Students pursue Master’s in Teaching programs, preparing themselves for careers in administration, curriculum specialists, and college professors.
Students are also valued by professions in business, government, and other education related fields.
Teacher candidates that complete all of the required components of the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program will be eligible for an Arkansas teaching license at the end of their program of study. Our program will not align with the teacher certification licensure requirements of other states. Graduating from the University of the Ozarks Teacher Education Program will not automatically qualify program completers to receive a teaching license in another state. Teacher candidates and program completers will want to consult the Department of Education website of their preferred state in order to examine educator licensure and reciprocity requirements should they seek licensure in a state outside of Arkansas. Foundations of Reading Information
Example Courses
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EDU 3333: Behavior Management in the Classroom
This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of selecting, planning, implementing, and evaluating classroom management procedures. Students will be exposed to a sampling of models and strategies. Students will examine discipline models effective for special as well as regular classrooms for K-6 and 7-12. -
EDU 1003: Theories of Human Learning
This course provides students with an introduction to the role of the teacher with an emphasis on how students learn. The course focuses on the study of the nature and scope of educational theory as it relates to human learning. The course provides prospective education majors with the opportunity to explore the profession from different theoretical perspectives, such as cognitive and behavioral learning approaches, brain research, and learning styles. Students come to understand how people develop cognitively, socially, and emotionally and how individuals learn. Students also consider how diversity impacts cognitive, social, and emotional development. In addition, students are introduced to standards, educational research, and methodology guiding the field. This course allows students to combine an in-depth analysis of self, foster higher levels of critical reflection, learn theories and concepts in educational psychology, and participate in field experiences to enhance connections between theory and practice (Open to non-majors; required freshman course for all education major tracks). -
EDU 4403: Educational Assessment
Basic principles of educational assessment and measurement will be discussed for both formal and informal measures. Accommodations for special needs students will be addressed. Students will be expected to develop and review a variety of assessment measures suitable for use in an inclusive classroom by synthesizing human development with theory and practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program.
