Getting a solid start in early childhood is critical to lifelong learning. As a top college for elementary education majors, our undergraduate degree program emphasizes experiential learning, offering you the chance to start working in real classroom settings during your first year of study. By the time you graduate, you will have completed five to six placements in diverse classrooms, providing excellent preparation for the teaching world. Be one of the elementary level teachers that gives young students a good foundation!
Our elementary education program is designed to give aspiring elementary school teachers the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the classroom. You will learn how to create a positive learning environment, teach reading and math skills, and help your students develop their critical thinking and literacy skills. In addition, our elementary education programs emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the classroom. You will learn how to create a culturally responsive classroom and address the needs of all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
If you are interested in becoming an elementary school teacher, our degree in elementary education is a great place to start.
In conjunction with the elementary education undergraduate degree program, Goshen College offers dual certifications in teaching K-12 special education and K-6 English language learners. Additionally, we offer teaching license certifications in secondary education and all-grade education.
The GC elementary teacher education program offers unique experiences to expand educator preparation. Our on-campus laboratory kindergarten provides a valuable opportunity to observe child development and behavior in a rich interactive environment. At Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, which hosts over 5,000 pre-K-12 students a year, you will have the chance to explore environmental education in a hands-on setting. Furthermore, if you travel abroad with our Study-Service Term, you will get the chance to work with children or youth in another part of the world!
Prepare for a rewarding career in elementary education today! The elementary education major at Goshen College will provide you with the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to become an excellent teacher. With a focus on experiential learning, you will be prepared to work in various classroom settings with diverse learners.
Goshen College has announced the approval of a new Master of Arts in Teaching program by the Education and Deaf Studies Department, and will begin admitting students for the fall of 2025. This program is designed to address the need for qualified educators in the United States, particularly in Indiana, where teacher shortages have reached alarming levels.
This year’s seven President’s Graduating Leader Awardees with (front, center) President Stoltzfus: (front, left to right) Julia Jun, Mariela Esparza, Sofia Sanchez; (back, left to right) Manny Villanueva, Eduardo Horiba Curvo, Nelson Kemboi, Dan Eash-Scott. Goshen College President Rebecca Stoltzfus recently honored seven graduating seniors with the…
Jakyra Green, a senior majoring in education and English, is among the 10 finalists who will participate in the 37th annual Keating Writing Challenge in which the students have five hours to report and write a story. The contest, which draws top journalism students from across the state, will take place in Indianapolis on Nov. 3-4.
of student teachers who finish the education program pass qualifying test for licensure
of education alumni say their undergraduate education prepared them for their teaching career
of education faculty have had K-12 classroom teaching experience
of 2016-17 graduates who sought teaching jobs were employed right after graduation
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Isaias "Toby" Faustino, a 2016 elementary education graduate, student taught at Parkside Elementary and coached freshman football at Goshen High School. He was and continues to be an inspiration to his students and players.
Isaias' storySince middle school, 2012 graduate Daisy Gaspar has known she wanted to be a teacher. At Goshen College, she was able to meet that goal.
Daisy's storyKristen Savage came to Goshen College to study elementary education, and after a few years of teaching opened her own riding school.
Kristen's storyMinh (Nguyen) Kauffman ’74 has dedicated her professional life to social change and community building across countries, cultures and language barriers.
Justine (Clemmer) Pletcher ’72 was a leader on the GC field hockey team and longtime elementary school teacher, whose classroom guidelines were simple: “Treat Others Right and Do the Right Thing.”
Justine's storyAs a teacher with an active lifestyle, Liz Martin '07 loves living and working in Goshen.
Liz's storyKathy Meyer Reimer
Professor of Education
Director of Elementary Education
Suzanne Ehst
Professor of Education and Director of Master of Arts in Teaching
Brooke Lemmon
Professor of Education
Director of Special Education
Steve Thalheimer
Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Education
Danaé Wirth
Director of Accreditation
Assistant Professor of Education
Robina Sommers
Assistant Professor of Education
Director of Teach Elkhart County
Roy Jackson II
Assistant Professor of Education
Janine Ostergren
Education Administrative Assistant
