Education
The Teacher Education Program prepares competent, caring and qualified teachers for schools in Appalachia and in the national and global communities.
The mission of the Teacher Education Program is to prepare and inspire teachers who possess the knowledge, skills and dispositions to prepare all students for a college- and career-ready future.
The mission is aligned with high-quality indicators from the West Virginia Professional Teaching Standards, the Approval of Educator Preparation Programs, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards and Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Standards. These standards support the integration of course content, field experience, clinical experience, technology, diversity and dispositions that enable Davis & Elkins College to meet its mission. The WV Professional Teaching Standards include the following five broad areas:
- Curriculum and Planning
- The Learner and Learning Environment
- Teaching
- Professional Responsibilities for Self-Renewal
- Professional Responsibilities for School and Community
Davis & Elkins College’s educator preparation program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Through its accreditation process, CAEP assures the quality of educator preparation and supports continuous improvement in order to strengthen P-12 student learning. CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation. This accreditation recognizes that our education programs have met national professional standards for the preparation of teachers and other educators. Through the CAEP accreditation process our teacher candidates have demonstrated that they know the subject matter they plan to teach and how to teach effectively so that all students learn. Our current accreditation extends through Fall 2025.
Davis and Elkins College’s education preparation program is aligned to meet all licensing requirements for the state of West Virginia.
Teacher Education Admission Requirements
Generally, students apply for Admission to Teacher Education in their third or fourth semester (40-55 hours). The application to Teacher Education is viewed as a declaration by the candidate that they have met the criteria of pre-candidate and are prepared to complete the approved education preparation program and seek licensure. The Education Department Review Panel (EDRP) will accept applications each semester prior to October 1 in the Fall, and prior to March 1 in the Spring.
• Application for Admission to Teacher Education
Education Programs
Programs:
The following programs are offered at the undergraduate level and lead to initial licensure. For specific course requirements, refer to the Undergraduate Course Catalog.
Elementary Education K-6
The major in education leads to the awarding of the Bachelor of Arts degree. A student seeking initial certification/licensure in elementary education grades K-6 undertakes a major in elementary education.
A student is encouraged to seek additional specializations which may be obtained in a content area by meeting West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) licensure requirements. Additional add-on endorsements available:
- Reading, K-6,
- Mathematics, 5-9
Special Education – Multi-Categorical BD, MI, SLD, 5-Adult, K-6 Excluding Autism
The major in special education leads to the awarding of the Bachelor of Arts degree. A student seeking initial certification/licensure in special education, 5-AD, K-6 undertakes a major in special education.
Special Education – Multi-Categorical BD, MI, SLD, 5-Adult, K-6 Including Autism
The major in special education leads to the awarding of the Bachelor of Arts degree. A student seeking initial certification/licensure in special education, 5-AD, K-6 including Autism undertakes a major in special education.
CAEP Annual Reporting
Our teacher education program is fully accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), we are required to submit an annual report and publicly present data on our programs. We encourage you to look through our data in each of the sections below.
For more information contact:
Annual Impact Measures
2025 Teacher Education Accreditation
Go Further.
Facilities
The Education Department is located on the third floor of Liberal Arts Hall.
Education majors have convenient access in one area to faculty offices, the main classroom equipped with tables and chairs, and a computer lab.
In addition, the bright and comfortable Education Lab and Lounge provides students with a place to study, work on group projects, share ideas and socialize between classes. It is equipped with large tables, sample textbooks for formulating lesson plans, and education manuals. Students also have access to a refrigerator and microwave.
Clubs
Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter
The International Honor Society in Education is Kappa Delta Pi (KDP). Founded more than 100 years ago, the society aims to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Eligible students must have completed 18 credit hours in college and 6 hours in education courses. One must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate leadership attributes.
Student Education Association
This pre-professional organization for future teachers strives to improve the quality of tomorrow’s educators. The group meets bi-monthly and includes activities such as discussions with guest speakers, fund-raising activities, and community service projects.
Strawderman Awarded Grant
ELKINS — Davis & Elkins College is proud to recognize senior Wesley Strawderman as the recipient of the Walter Regula Mathematics Teacher-in-Training grant on behalf of the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Strawderman was recognized earlier in the year as a Clinical Teacher of Record, filling a vacancy in middle school math in Tucker County.
“We are incredibly proud of Wesley and the growth he has demonstrated throughout his preparation as a mathematics educator,” sayid Assistant Professor of Education and Chair, Teacher Education Melanie Gribble.
“Watching him develop into a thoughtful and skilled teacher has been a privilege, and this recognition highlights the high standards of preparation we value in the mathematics education program at Davis & Elkins College.”
The Walter Regula Mathematics Teacher-in-Training grant is named in honor of Walter Regula, a Marshall University math education professor who also served as president of the West Virginia Council of Teachers in Mathematics.
The award is made each year to an outstanding college or university student who is training to become a mathematics teacher and who has intentions of teaching in West Virginia.
“It’s an honor to be recognized with this award,” says Strawderman. “To me, it represents not just past effort, but a responsibility to continue striving for excellence as a future educator.
“Meeting the criteria for this award reassures me that my dedication to learning, leadership, and service is making an impact. Most importantly, this recognition strengthens my commitment to give back to West Virginia, whether that’s through education, community involvement, or supporting the next generation.
“I’m proud to represent a state that has given me so much, and I’m motivated to give just as much back to it,” Strawderman said.
Anna’s Blog – Why I Choose D&E for My Education Degree
Education is a popular major choice for most students. Almost every college offers some type of Education program. Davis and Elkins College has, in my opinion, one of the best Education programs. I think that since D&E is such a small school, the faculty in the Education department can become familiar with what each of their students need for them to learn best. They build strong connections with us and they are able to relate better to us because of the small class sizes. They become aware of our strengths and weaknesses. If a student struggles with writing a lesson plan, they will help them improve. If someone struggles with classroom management, they will give them strategies of things that worked for them. I am so lucky to be a part of this department.
Our Education professors are very skilled in their field and they share with us the struggles and benefits of working in a public school. Many of the Education professors have taught locally and know how to teach us what to expect. I feel that each of the Education professors have such a passion and a spark for teaching. I love that they can openly share that with us. Their passion has inspired me so much. D&E has the best of the best professors. I am very excited to continue my journey through this department. Most of all, I am hopeful that I can become as wonderful of a teacher as my Education professors!
Anna Ruf, Junior Math Education Major
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