The mission of the School of Education is to prepare educators of character and competence who reflect Christ as they serve and lead in their schools and communities. The School of Education offers varying programs of study to prepare students who want to teach and engage the classrooms of the world. Three majors are offered in the School of Education: Elementary Education, Learning Foundations, and Special Education. An Elementary Education Major is designed for students wanting to teach in early grades, elementary grades, or middle grades. This major reflects best-practices pedagogy that supports learning in a variety of classroom settings. Within this major students choose specific grade level endorsements (Grades K-6, Grades PreK-3, or Grades 4-8). Instead of selecting an academic minor, students majoring in Elementary Education are required to have an additional major. The second major is chosen from the list below. READ MORE
- Learning Foundations Major - a newly enhanced interdisciplinary major
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- History
- Language (French, Spanish, ESL)
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Political Science
As listed above, the Learning Foundations major is an interdisciplinary major that supports the varied content areas taught in PreK-6 classrooms. In addition to the varied academic preparation, students choose an area of emphasis to ensure a deepened liberal arts experience. This one area of emphasis is selected from one of the four school academic domains: language arts, social studies, mathematics, or science.
The School of Education also offers a major in Special Education. This major prepares students to teach special education in grades K – 12 in inclusionary settings, pull-out programs, and self-contained special education classrooms.
School of Education Majors
- Elementary Education Major
- Early Childhood Licensure (Grades Pre-K – 3)
- Elementary Grades Licensure (Grades K-6)
- Middle Grades Licensure (Grades 4-8)
- Learning Foundations Major
- A newly-enhanced interdisciplinary major
- Includes an emphasis in one of the following
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Special Education Major includes endorsements in both:
- Modified (Grades K-12 inclusion/resource) &
- Comprehensive (Grades K-12 self-contained classrooms)
Distinctives of the School of Education:
- Faculty in the School of Education are immersed in scholarship to support both undergraduate and graduate programs. Faculty present their research in a variety of venues, which include making national presentations, publishing articles in discipline journals, and publishing textbooks. Most importantly, they are committed to excellence in their teaching. Often, students will hear faculty report how their research informs their teaching.
- The School of Education is committed to enhancing the connection between local schools and the university classroom throughout the students’ four-year program of study. Students begin their classroom experience during their first year of university classes. This first experience is observation only, but begins the process of viewing a classroom through the lens of a professional. An additional focused observation is part of the students’ second year of classes. Isolated lessons are taught in local schools as a part of methods-type courses called Instructional Design courses in the junior and senior years. A full semester of student teaching is the culminating experience during the last semester before graduation.
- The School of Education uses processes to ensure that students move along the continuum of effective teaching. As students move through their programs of study, each course that includes a field experience has a university supervisor who visits students in these placements. During these visits the university supervisor supports students as the students themselves reflect on their strengths and possible areas of improvement. These observations follow students throughout their programs of study, allowing university supervisors to offer support in a continuous manner.
- The School of Education continues this extensive field experience support during the student teaching semester. Weekly visits from a university supervisor allow student teachers to actually become more effective teachers. The same reflective process of recognizing strengths and discussing possible suggestions for improvement is used to continue their personal journey in becoming effective teachers. Local school officials are highly complimentary of the effectiveness of our graduates and report that they “know how to teach” rather than only “knowing about teaching.”
- Students majoring in Special Education may choose to receive a dual endorsement in Special Education and the Elementary Grades K-6. This dual endorsement is earned by taking only two additional classes to the Special Education program of study.
- Union University’s Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This accreditation ensures a quality program and facilitates the process of teacher licensure in other states.
- The Teacher Education Program’s Conceptual Framework, “a teacher-student dynamic of sensitivity, reflection, and faith,” prepares teacher candidates to actualize Christian values in a public school setting as well as in private and parochial environments.
- The School of Education is nationally recognized as a model of excellence for our “moral and ethical dimensions in the learning community.” This recognition was received from AILACTE, the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, which has over 200 members in its organization. The selection of Union University’s School of Education to receive this distinction demonstrates how the Christian faith can inform the profession of teaching.
- Teacher licensure programs meet the criteria for “highly qualified” teachers as established by federal legislation, No Child Left Behind.
- The School of Education is a member of the Christian Colleges Teacher Education Coordinating Council. This organization facilitates the placement of student teachers in international settings if desired.
- The School of Education at Union University is one of the very few in the United States who is nationally recognized, nationally accredited, and offers the doctoral degree in Education. These distinctives prepare our teacher candidates to engage the culture regardless of where they find themselves in the many diverse classrooms of the world.
Faculty
- Ann Singleton
- Dottie L. Myatt
- Michele Atkins
- Linda Cash
- Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
- Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies in Education, Hendersonville Campus
- Education:
B.S., Lander University
M.S., Tennessee State University
Ed.D., Trevecca Nazarene University
- Office: UUH 144, 615-447-2505 (voice)
- E-mail: lcash@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Nancy Cherry
- Melinda Clarke
- Anna Clifford
- Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education
- Education:
B.S., University of Tennessee, Martin
M.S., University of Tennessee, Martin
Ed.D., University of Memphis
Additional Study, Montessori, St. Nicholas Montessori Centre, London
- Office: BAC 66, Box 1892, 731-661-5384 (voice)
- E-mail: acliffor@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/faculty.cfm#22
- Nancy Easley
- Charles Lea
- Professor of Educational Leadership
- Executive Director, UU Hendersonville, Hendersonville Campus
- Education:
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University
M.A., Middle Tennessee State University
Ed.D., Vanderbilt University
- Office: UUH 115, Box UUH, 615-447-2501 (voice)
- E-mail: clea@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Ralph G. Leverett
- Carren M. Marvin
- Assistant Professor of Education, Germantown
- Education:
B.A., Lee University
M.A., Cumberland University
Ed.D., Tennessee State University
Additional Study, Middle Tennessee State University
- Office: UUG, 901-312-1909 (voice)
- E-mail: cmarvin@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Eric D. Marvin
- Director of Online Instructional Innovations and Associate Professor of Education
- Director, Center for Educational Practice
- Education:
B.A., Fresno Pacific University
M.Ed., Harding University
Ed.D., University of Memphis
- Office: UUG, 901-312-1915 (voice)
- E-mail: emarvin@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Stephen Marvin
- Melessia E. Mathis
- Dianne Morgan
- Associate Professor of Education
- Education:
B.A., The University of Texas at Austin
M.A., The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Office: UUG 109B, Box 1854, 901-312-1917 (voice)
- E-mail: dmorgan@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Kenneth Newman
- Ben T. Phillips
- Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Director of the Ed.S. and Ed.D. (P-12), Jackson
- Education:
B.S., Freed-Hardeman University
M.S., University of Memphis
Ed.D., University of Memphis
- Office: BAC, Box 3133, 731-661-5507 (voice)
- E-mail: bphillip@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Thomas R. Rosebrough
- Robin E. Scott
- Associate Professor of Education and Director of the M.U.Ed.-Germantown
- Education:
B.S., Butler University
M.S., Indiana University - Purdue
Ph.D, Ball State University
- Office: UUG MTR
- E-mail: rscott@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Michael C. Shackleford
- Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
- Education:
B.S., University of Memphis
M.Ed., Tennessee State University
Ed.D., Vanderbilt University
- Office: UUH 145, 615-447-2511 (voice)
- E-mail: mshackleford@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Stephanie Steele
- Terry Weaver
- Carrie L. Whaley
Programs of Study
- Elementary Education
An Elementary Education Major is designed for students wanting to teach in early grades, elementary grades, or middle grades. This major reflects best-practices pedagogy that supports learning in a variety of classroom settings. See this article for more information. LEARN MORE
- Learning Foundations
The Learning Foundations major is an interdisciplinary major that supports the varied content areas taught in PreK-8 classrooms. LEARN MORE
- Special Education K-12
This major prepares students to teach special education in grades K-12 in inclusionary settings, pull-out programs, and self-contained special education classrooms. LEARN MORE
- Teacher Licensure, Secondary Areas
Students seeking licensure in secondary areas must complete the major in the endorsement area and the Secondary Professional Education consisting of EDU 150, 250, 326, Secondary methods course within the content area, 433 or 435, PSY 213, 318, SE 225. LEARN MORE
Please see the Academic Catalogue description for more detail. Some minors do not appear here.
Student Organizations
- Kappa Delta Pi
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honorary society for undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty in education. The purpose of the chapter is to promote excellence in and recognize outstanding contributions to education.
- Student Tennessee Education Association
Advisor: Melessia Mathis
The Frank L. Wells Chapter of the Student Tennessee Education Association is composed of education majors and minors who are preparing to teach. Its purpose is to offer its members all the opportunities, responsibilities, and privileges of the National Education Association and the Tennessee Education Association. Membership in this pre-professional organization is strongly urged by the faculty of the Education Department. Through STEA students are acquainted with the history, ethics and program of the organized teaching profession, as well as special projects benefiting students, faculty, administration, area schools, and other members of the community.
Recent News
An instructional course on classroom use of iPad technology developed by a Union University education professor has been one of the top courses on iTunesU for several months.
Eric Marvin, associate professor of education at Union University Germantown, originally created the “Integrating iPads... -
READ MORE
MORE STORIES
Additional Education Department News
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7/18/2012 - Union’s School of Education requests third-party comments for accreditation visit
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4/5/2011 - Union to host Teacher Expo 2011
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4/14/2010 - Two education students earn full-tuition waivers at Vanderbilt
About Our Alum
Amber Shrewsberry, a 2007 graduate of Union University, has received the 2010 Outstanding Tennessee Physics Teacher Award presented by the Tennessee section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. She received the award at the meeting of the Tennessee section March 26-27, 2010 at the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Shrewsberry teaches Physics, Physical Science and Mathematics at Crockett County High School in Alamo, Tennessee. She is an Adjunct Instructor in Physics at Union University. Congratulations, Amber!
Amber Shrewsberry ('07), Teacher, 2010 Outstanding Tennessee Physics Teacher, Crockett County Schools (TN)
READ MORE
- Kari Mynatt writes: I was just writing to tell give you a quick up-date from this year. As you know, I was in middle school teaching math and science for 6th grade. My school nominated me for "Rookie Teacher of the Year 2009." Even though I was not selected, just the nomination was enough. There are around 100 new teachers in Charleston County this year. so to be selected to represent them was an honor. My school is wonderful and this year has been full of fun and new experiences. Middle school is definitely something else, to say the least. I have signed on for another year here at C.E. Williams. I know my goals and expectations were far exceeded this year. I was able to "make it" due to the guidance and excellent wisdom I received while at Union. Thanks again for everything!
Kari Mynatt '06, Charleston County (SC)
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Megan Moore writes:
The majority of my studies at Union University greatly helped to prepare me for teaching, while I feel like other areas needed more in depth instruction. Because I was both a Special Education major and a Learning Foundations major, I have two different views of my studies. For example, I learned valuable information for each subject area being taught at an elementary level. I was able to do field experience beginning my freshman year and extending to student teaching. We are taught principles and theories in the classroom; we got to start early to put those principles and theories to use by doing field experience. I felt like I was given the necessary knowledge, materials, and tools when I entered schools.
The one area that Union was of tremendous aid was teaching the whole child. I learned how to love a child and teach him/her at the same time. I learned that being fair didn't mean being treated the same. My professors talked to us about the importance of loving children with the love of Christ, which is extremely important when you're in the classroom. Integrating your faith with your career is a calling of all Christians, and the education department brought that concept to the forefront.
I graduated from Union University in May 2008. I have been teaching fourth grade at Milan Elementary School for two years now. I am grateful that I can use both of my endorsements in the classroom. I teach regular education reading, and I teach inclusion math. I definitely would not be the teacher I am today without Union University and the dedicated professors at that beloved institution.
Megan Moore ('08), Teacher, Milan Schools (TN)
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Emilee Peery writes:I wanted to give you an update on my job situation. I am now a Pre-K teacher at Bolivar Elementary School and am loving it here! Our last seminar really hit home with me and made me realize what an opportunity I have to love these children like Christ loves us. So, every morning I wake with the attitude of a missionary with the desire to give children love who desperately need it.
Union prepared me completely for this experience and I am so thankful to have attended a university like Union. Thank you for all you, and the TEP professors, have invested in us!
Emilee Peery ('10), Teacher, Bolivar Elementary School (TN)
- Laura Hines is a graduate of the Teacher Education Program at Union University and teaches second graders at Corinth-Holders Elementary School, Johnston County School District, in Zebulon, NC.
She has been awarded a grant by the Johnston County Education Foundation to expand and support a student project —‘It’s in the Bag’. “The bag idea came from a college (Union University Teacher Education Program) literacy class,” said Hines, a fifth-year teacher who has spent all of her career in Corinth-Holders. “We’d put together a bag that had to include books and (related) activities. We’d donate bags to schools (so) the kids could take them home, read the books and do activities to incorporate literacy at home,” explained Hines. In the grant proposal, Laura outlined 10 individual “book bags,” complete with the themes, take away lessons and hands-on activities for her students to guide take-home learning experiences.
Laura is supervising her first student teacher this year. She was elected Teacher of the Year by the faculty of the school in 2011.
Congratulations, Laura!
Laura Hines ('07), Fifth Year Teacher, Johnston County School District, Zebulon, NC
Accolades
Dr. Sharon Roberts, Union University-Hendersonville faculty member, has been named the 2010 Tennessee Education Association Distinguished Administrator. Dr. Roberts served children and teachers in Tennessee's public schools as a classroom teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. She currently serves as the Director of Schools for Lebanon Special School District. Dr. Sharon Roberts earned her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Tennessee. Congratulations, Dr. Roberts! (posted: Apr 30, 2010)
MORE ACCOLADES
- Dr. Charles Lea, was selected by the Editorial Staff of Sumner County Publications, comprised of The Hendersonville Star News, The News Examiner, and Sumner A.M., as one of the One of the Most Influential in Sumner County. Those selected are considered to have had and continue to have significant effect on our communities and beyond. The announcement was made by the local newspapers in a special section of the local papers April 9, 2010. (posted: Apr 21, 2010)
Distinctives
The School of Education continues this extensive field experience support during the student teaching semester. Weekly visits from a university supervisor allow student teachers to actually become more effective teachers. The same reflective process of recognizing strengths and discussing possible suggestions for improvement is used to continue their personal journey in becoming effective teachers. Local school officials are highly complimentary of the effectiveness of our graduates and report that they “know how to teach” rather than only “knowing about teaching.”
MORE DISTINCTIVES
- The School of Education at Union University is one of the very few in the United States who is nationally recognized, nationally accredited, and offers the doctoral degree in Education. These distinctives prepare our teacher candidates to engage the culture regardless of where they find themselves in the many diverse classrooms of the world.
- The School of Education is a member of the Christian Colleges Teacher Education Coordinating Council. This organization facilitates the placement of student teachers in international settings if desired.
- Teacher licensure programs meet the criteria for “highly qualified” teachers as established by federal legislation, No Child Left Behind.
- The School of Education is nationally recognized as a model of excellence for our “moral and ethical dimensions in the learning community.” This recognition was received from AILACTE, the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, which has over 200 members in its organization. The selection of Union University’s School of Education to receive this distinction demonstrates how the Christian faith can inform the profession of teaching.
- The Teacher Education Program’s Conceptual Framework, “a teacher-student dynamic of sensitivity, reflection, and faith,” prepares teacher candidates to actualize Christian values in a public school setting as well as in private and parochial environments.
- Union University’s Teacher Education Program is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This accreditation ensures a quality program and facilitates the process of teacher licensure in other states.
- Students majoring in Special Education may choose to receive a dual endorsement in Special Education and the Elementary Grades K-6. This dual endorsement is earned by taking only two additional classes to the Special Education program of study.
Recent Photos
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Monique Dailey, senior education major, trims an overgrown tree in the backyard of a house in South Jackson during in the tenth annual Campus and Community Day. - Ebbie Davis
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Rachel Taylor, elementary education graduate, high-fives Cooper Rawls, physical education and health graduate, after receiving her diploma during spring graduation. - Zac Calvert
614 students, first pharmacy class graduate from Union University
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5/19/12 - 20477
Cassie Hallmark, elementary education graduate, gives a thumbs up after receiving her diploma during spring graduation on the Great Lawn.
- Zac Calvert
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5/1/12 - 20440
LaJuana Hamer, graduate studying for a doctor of education in curriculum and supervision degree, presents her research on the effect of relocation on students' academic performance during the Scholarship Symposium. - Jacob Moore
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Amber Shrewsberry, a 2007 graduate of Union University, has received the 2010 Outstanding Tennessee Physics Teacher Award presented by the Tennessee section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. She received the award at the meeting of the Tennessee section March 26-27, 2010 at the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Shrewsberry teaches Physics, Physical Science and Mathematics at Crockett County High School in Alamo, Tennessee. She is an Adjunct Instructor in Physics at Union University. Congratulations, Amber! 
Megan Moore writes:
The majority of my studies at Union University greatly helped to prepare me for teaching, while I feel like other areas needed more in depth instruction. Because I was both a Special Education major and a Learning Foundations major, I have two different views of my studies. For example, I learned valuable information for each subject area being taught at an elementary level. I was able to do field experience beginning my freshman year and extending to student teaching. We are taught principles and theories in the classroom; we got to start early to put those principles and theories to use by doing field experience. I felt like I was given the necessary knowledge, materials, and tools when I entered schools.
Emilee Peery writes:I wanted to give you an update on my job situation. I am now a Pre-K teacher at Bolivar Elementary School and am loving it here! Our last seminar really hit home with me and made me realize what an opportunity I have to love these children like Christ loves us. So, every morning I wake with the attitude of a missionary with the desire to give children love who desperately need it.
