Elementary Education

Elementary Education

A degree in Elementary Education will offer you the chance to mentor children and channel your talents with children K-6. You will receive a general education degree and be able to teach any subject. By passing additional sections of the Pearson Licensure Exam, you can add areas of certification to your teaching license. We pride ourselves on starting your field experiences as soon as you enter our program, which is uncommon in other teacher education programs in the state.

The Teacher Education Program at Lees-McRae has achieved the high standards required to maintain accreditation by The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)/Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Building on the liberal arts core curriculum, the program curriculum has a balance of philosophy, theory, and practice for effective teacher preparation. Among the many distinctions of the Lees-McRae Teacher Education Program, the Reflective Practitioner Framework is perhaps of greatest importance as it is a process that encourages students to reflect on every aspect of the learning and teaching experience.

Fast facts

• The Teacher Education Program has maintained a 98-100% graduation rate for teacher candidates admitted into the program.
• The average graduate GPA in the education program is between 3.73 and 3.86.

What You'll Study

In the Elementary Education program, you'll study a variety of topics including educational philosophy, classroom management, diverse learners, educational psychology, children's literature, qualitative teaching methods and more!

Beyond the Classroom

• K-6 classroom observations (50 hours) to be completed during your first 2 semesters in our program
• K-6 classroom internship (150 hours) to be completed during your third semester in our program
• K-6 student teaching during your fourth and final semester in our program
• International travel and service opportunities are also available.

"Student teachers from Lees-McRae College are prepared for education in the 21st century. I am so impressed with Lees-McRae's program. They are leading educator preparation with innovative strategies and a strong commitment to pushing forward in a time of educational change." (Kimberly Simmons, North Carolina Educator Evaluation Consultant, NCDPI).

After Graduation

Alumni Success

• Principal Avery Middle School
• Kindergarten Teacher Laurel Park Elementary School (Diane Kent Parker First Year Teacher Award in Wake County Public Schools)
• Fourth Grade Teacher Hudson Elementary School (featured on front page of newspaper for creating a computer club for students after attending Googlefest to encourage students to get interested in programming)
• Head Volleyball Coach Polk County
• Eighth Grade Teacher Cove Creek School (Teacher of the Year Award)
• Fifth Grade Teacher North Windy Widge School (Thanks to Teachers winner featured on ABC/WLOS NC news)
• Teacher Bethel Christian Academy (Thanks to Teacher winner featured on ABC/WLOS NC news)

We have one mission: Lees-McRae educates and inspires students to approach life and work from a creative, collaborative, and critical perspective in preparation for diverse careers and environments. Through common ambition, we maintain our focus on the needs of all learners—residential on the main campus and degree completion through our online programs. Some are athletes, some are in the honors program, and some are working while returning to school. Regardless of where you are and where you want to go, our expert faculty and committed staff will help you get there.