About the Teacher Education Department
The mission of the department is "Preparing teachers of character who are competent in the profession and have a heart of service for others."
The foundation of the mission is based on Micah 6:8, which states, "He has shown you…what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." We apply this in these ways:
Character – walk humbly
Competence – act justly
Service – love mercy.
The objective of the faculty is to equip candidates who will become productive and redemptive educators in the world. Graduates are prepared to transfer that value system and worldview to the youth of tomorrow. As Grace College Teacher Education candidates, they are systematically exposed to a biblically grounded and philosophically and educationally consistent set of liberal arts values.
The Teacher Education Department has the specific charge to candidates to provide guidance in recognizing aptitudes and deficiencies in areas of communication skills, pedagogy, understanding of the learning process, and human growth and development with respect to effective teaching. Guidance in the educational components of planning, instruction, classroom management, and professionalism permeate the curriculum. Preparing teachers of character who are competent in their profession and have a heart for service to others is the desire of the department.
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The University College Cork (UCC) is one of Grace College's partner institutions for student teaching placements in Ireland. In the photo is the historic administration building on the UCC campus in Cork, Ireland |
The department has the overall responsibility for all of the teacher education programs of Grace College, regardless of the specific teaching field. All teacher education programs are under the guidance of the Teacher Education Department Chair. The Teacher Education Committee is composed of faculty members who are directly involved in teacher preparation and three education majors.
Student teaching takes place for a full semester during the student's senior year. Students may choose to have a 10-week student teaching experience in Indiana and seven weeks in an alternative setting or a 17-week experience in a local school. Alternative settings include Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Guam, Hawaii, Inner-city Chicago, Inner-city Miami, Ireland, Okinawa, Japan, The Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and West Palm Beach, Florida.
Links
   Accreditation Resources
   Conceptual Framework
   Education Majors' Information
   Resources for Education Majors
Accreditation
The Teacher Education Department at Grace College is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), www.ncate.org. The department's program is approved by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Â and the Division of Professional Standards.
Teaching Licenses
Since all of the teacher education programs have been approved by the Division of Professional Standards, graduates of these programs who have been approved by the Teacher Education Committee and who have met the state regulations are eligible to receive the standard instructional license from the State of Indiana. The teacher education program is also approved by the Association of Christian Schools International, making ACSI certification available to graduates also.
Click here to go to the Teacher Education Department Web site.
Faculty
Shara B. Curry, B.A., M.A., Ed.D.
Chair, Teacher Education Department
Professor of Education
Dr. Curry earned her B.A. degree from Fairmont State College, M.A. from West Virginia University, and Ed.D. from Ball State University. She joined the Grace College faculty in 1987.
Telephone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6142
E-mail: currysb@grace.edu
James E. Bowling, B.A., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Professor of Education
Dr. Bowling joined the Grace College faculty in 1986. He earned his B.A. degree at Grace College and his M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio University.
Telephone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6141
E-mail: jebowling@grace.edu
Click here to read Dr. Bowling's article, "What Do PDAs, Games, and Blogs Have To Do With Learning?"
Cheryl Bremer
Assistant Professor of Special Education
Prof. Bremer earned her two B.S degrees at Grace College and her M.A. degree in special education at Indiana University. She is a doctoral candidate at Regent University.
Telephone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6146
E-mail: bremercl@grace.edu
Dennis E. Gaerte, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Education
Dr. Gaerte earned his B.A. and M.S.Ed. degrees from Indiana University and his Ph.D. degree from Purdue University. He joined the Grace College faculty in 1991.
Telephone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6143
E-mail: gaertede@grace.edu
Laurinda A. Owen, B.S., M.A.
Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Prof. Owen joined the Grace College faculty in 2001. She earned her B.S. and M.A. degrees from Ball State University.
Telephone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6148
E-mail: owenla@grace.edu
Jeffrey W. Peck, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Peck earned his B.A. from Grace College, M.A. from Grace Theological Seminary, and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.
Telephone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6149
E-mail: peckjw@grace.edu
Carol Vosberg, B.S., M.S.
Administrative Assistant
Part-time Instructor of Education
Mrs. Vosberg joined Grace College in 1994. She earned her B.S. degree at Grace College and M.S. degree from St. Francis University.
Telephone: 574-372-5100 ext. 6144
E-mail: clvosberg@grace.edu
Click here to go to the Teacher Education Department home page
