Department Philosophy

Teaching That Supports Learning: the Davis & Elkins College Teacher Education Program focuses on a "constructivist" approach to teaching in which teachers are equipped to support learning. How? By creating supportive learning environments for learners and designing authentic learning opportunities. This approach considers not only the material, but also the learner, and what the teacher can do to support learning. The classroom becomes a community of active learners through the application of these skills.

Like a scaffold - the intellectual framework that our student acquire allows learning to take place. It is constructed through the essential steps of the teaching process and it symbolizes the close relationship between teacher and student.

The Teacher Education Unit has adopted the following four following constructivist principles to guide program courses and experiences:

1. new learning is based upon current levels of knowledge and understanding;
2. learning is a function of the learners active involvement in figuring out and developing knowledge and understanding;
3. learning is enhanced through application and social interaction; and
4. teachers create scaffolding to guide and support student learning.

Majors & Minors

Teacher candidates that pursue elementary education major in education. Candidates for secondary fields major in their content area and minor in education. All Davis & Elkins College (D&E) teaching specialization programs are approved by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). Candidates for teaching must successfully complete all D&E and WVDE requirements, including required PRAXIS Examinations, to complete their degree program and be licensed to teach in the state of West Virginia.

• Majors
  • Elementary Education
• Minors
  • Secondary Education with a major in content area

Certification Options

The Davis & Elkins College teacher education programs offers certification in

• Art Education - PreK-Adult
• Biology - 5-Adult
• Business - 5-Adult
• Chemistry - 9-Adult
• Elementary Education - K-6
• English - 5-9 or 5-Adult
• General Science - 5-9 or 5-Adult
• Health Education - PreK-Adult
• Mathematics - 5-9 or 5-Adult
• Music - PreK-Adult
• Oral Communications - 5-Adult
• Physical Education - PreK-Adult
• Social Studies - 5-9 or 5-Adult
• Spanish - 5-9 or PreK-Adult
• Theatre - PreK-Adult