Bachelor of Arts in Elementary EducationHenry Predolin School
Where an educational journey begins
Children have an incredible ability to brighten your life. As an aspiring elementary education major, you are preparing yourself to thrive in kindergarten through 9th grade settings. Your critical role involves not just teaching, but guiding, mentoring, and fostering the growth and learning of young minds. Being an elementary education teacher, you will enjoy the opportunity to teach a variety of subjects, work with enthusiastic young learners, and unleash your creativity within the classroom.
The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program at Edgewood College prioritizes equipping students to meet the professional demands of modern education. As a prospective teacher, you will begin your practical training, known as a practicum, starting in your sophomore year. These immersive experiences will take place in public and private schools, encompassing various grade levels within the K-9 spectrum, ranging from early elementary to middle school placements. Successful completion requires dedicating a minimum of 100 hours to pre-student teaching, with a specific focus of 50 hours dedicated to multicultural experiences.
The major is paired with a specialized track for K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) licensure, expanding your employment options. Additionally, we offer a range of minors to increase your expertise and marketability. These options encompass licensure areas such as bilingual education and special education, as well as programs in ethnic studies and various major content areas.
Madison, WI
On-campus
120
August 28, 2024
Careers within Elementary Education
$61,620
Average annual salary for a K-9 Teacher
A bachelor’s degree in elementary education prepares you for a variety of career paths. Careers with an asterisk (*) may require additional education.
- Development Specialist
- Education Consultant
- Elementary Teacher
- Human Resources Coordinator
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Special Education Teacher*
- Training and Development Specialist
Elementary Education by the Numbers
15:1
The average student to faculty ratio in coursework for the Education major
100%
Graduation rate for BA in Elementary Education
(students who complete the six-semester sequence)
40+
Partner school districts with Edgewood College
Elementary Education Student Spotlight
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Grade 7 Social Studies, Bilingual TWI, Badger Ridge Middle School
Andrea Cardona Leon ’23
“Attending Edgewood College and being part of the elementary education program prepared me to support students from different backgrounds. I especially appreciate the opportunity to obtain my ESL and bilingual licenses, which helps me support many students as a teacher! Attending Edgewood gave me the opportunity to connect with professors who are highly experienced in the education field.”
Featured Courses in Elementary Education
Education 203 Multilingual Learners and Spaces
This course examines issues that affect English language learners (ELLs) in schools. Students will develop the knowledge of language necessary for effective teaching of ELLs. Language is framed as a valuable resource used to serve a purpose; students will investigate concepts of register, genre, and features through the lens of functional linguistics. Students will also explore factors that contribute to the educational experience of English learners by examining impacts of policy, programming, and instruction. Course activities set students up to understand and appreciate the experience of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Education 206 Wellness in Education
This course provides introductory knowledge and skills to integrate concepts of health, nutrition, and physical education into the elementary school curriculum. Instruction in developmentally appropriate programs for physical fitness and health promotion will build understanding of personal and community health issues in schools today.
Education 300 Teaching for Social Justice
This course introduces and critically explores models and theories of curriculum, teaching, and assessment. The class uses multi-disciplinary methods to consider key educational issues and tensions in these areas including differentiation and the relationships between schooling, educational access and equity, and society. Students will engage in formal and informal writing including reflections on course readings, films, and discussion; peer review of written work; and the use of different genres to critically explore tensions in education. A practicum is required. Meets DPI resolution requirement.
Student Organizations
Aspiring Teachers Club
The Aspiring Teachers Club welcomes all students enrolled in, or preparing to study, in the Division of Education at Edgewood College. Their mission is to prepare students for careers in education by providing members with opportunities to enhance their understanding of the profession. They accomplish this by engaging members with opportunities to participate in professional development and community service activities, both on- and off-campus. Their commitment extends to fostering a warm, inclusive, and fun environment, creating a vibrant student community within the Division of Education.
Accreditation
The Teacher Education licensing programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI). Edgewood College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Elementary Education Experiences
Madison and its neighboring communities offer a diverse array of practicum and student teaching placements, including private, parochial, and public schools in both urban and suburban areas. Having diverse options provides you with a broader range of experiences, which facilitates exploration to help you discover the best fit, enhancing both your skills and marketability.
Faculty Spotlights
Associate Dean of Education / Associate Professor
Julie Luecke
Julie C. Luecke, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Education, received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her M.Ed. in Curriculum from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was an elementary classroom teacher for nine years before moving into higher education. During her graduate studies, she took a year off to volunteer at Ongwediva College of Education in Namibia. Julie joined the Edgewood faculty in 2006, teaching undergraduate courses in educational foundations, courses in children’s literature for the undergraduate and graduate programs, and a course for the Edgewood College COR program, The Conception of Gender. This class emerged from Julie’s research interests in building support structures for gender expansive students and their peers, both through educational policy and practice and through children’s and young adult literature.
JLuecke@edgewood.edu
Coordinator of Advanced Certification Elementary (ACE) Graduate Program and Associate Professor
Gerardo Mancilla
Gerardo Mancilla is an Associate Professor of Education for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction, M.S. in Counseling Psychology, and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to working at Edgewood College, Gerardo was working for the Madison Metropolitan School District where he was a Dual Language Immersion teacher. Gerardo teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses at Edgewood College. Gerardo’s research interests include Critical Race Theory, LatCrit, the school-to-prison pipeline, bilingual education, and immigration. Gerardo has also been active in the Madison community for many years.
Assistant Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Language and Literacy
Heather O’Neil
Heather O’Neil is an assistant program coordinator of Language and Literacy as well as an assistant professor. Heather has a BA in History and Secondary Education from St. Norbert College and an MA in Language and Literacy Development from Cardinal Stritch University. She is completing her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy at Concordia University-Chicago. Prior to Edgewood College, Heather was an assistant professor of undergraduate elementary education at Concordia University-Wisconsin for six years. She also worked as a district reading specialist, reading teacher, and literacy coach in various school districts in southeastern Wisconsin. Heather’s research interests include the identity formation of pre-service teachers, writing instruction, and culturally responsive instruction.
HONeil@edgewood.edu
Coordinator of Clinical Experience and Licensing
Julie Petersen
JPetersen@edgewood.edu
Associate Professor | School of Education
Donna Vukelich-Selva
Donna Vukelich-Selva received her Ph.D. in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011. She also holds a Master of Arts in Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies from UW-Madison. Before coming to Edgewood College in 2008, she taught at a K-12 bilingual school in Managua, Nicaragua, where she also founded and ran a study abroad program for US college students. Vukelich-Selva teaches both undergraduate courses in the Division of Education, as well as bilingual and ESL education graduate courses in the Language and Literacy program. She also teaches in Edgewood’s COR program for first year students and piloted a course on the history of immigration in the United States that is cross-listed with Ethnic Studies. Among her college responsibilities, Donna serves on the advisory board for Edgewood’s Center for Multicultural Education. Donna’s research interests include critical race theory, education and immigration, bilingual education and restorative justice. She has been active in the Madison community for many years.
(608) 663-3235
DVukelich-Selva@edgewood.edu
Associate Professor / Coordinator of Language and Literacy Program
Emily Zoeller
Dr. Emily Zoeller is an associate professor and coordinator of Language and Literacy Program at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. She holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. from the University of San Diego. She earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College, where she researched teacher leadership in two-way dual language education. Dr. Zoeller’s scholarship examines equitable instruction for multilinguals and literacy learners in K-12 education; her recent work has been published in the Bilingual Research Journal, Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, The Reading Teacher, and Teacher Education Quarterly. Prior to her role at Edgewood College, she worked as a bilingual teacher, a reading specialist, and an instructional coach. She is passionate about lifting teacher voices for promoting equity in language and literacy education.
EZoeller@edgewood.edu
Grounded and Cultivated in Values
The Division of Education mission is to cultivate future educators dedicated to anti-racist work that embraces and empowers every student. We do this by grounding our work in the core values of Edgewood College and providing teaching that is culturally and linguistically sustaining. This pursuit of equity extends inward, fostering a culture of inclusivity within us, our division, our students, and the communities we influence.
We envision candidates seeking licensure and education degrees as practitioners who are both reflective and effective. Our commitment is to nurture professionals devoted to continuous growth through ongoing professional development, cultivating the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for promoting equity in every classroom and school.
Related Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Elementary Education
Yes, you can start the sequencing of classes for the elementary education major starting in your sophomore year. Most education classes are available during the fall or spring semesters. It’s imperative to consult with your advisor every semester before registering for classes to ensure a smooth academic progression.
What if I want to teach Special Education?
You will need to take five additional classes for the Special Education minor to get licensed in Cross Categorical Special Education. Typically, the minor does not interfere with a four-year schedule if you make plans with your advisor in advance.
I speak another language; can I get a bilingual license?
Yes, securing licensure entails completing one additional course and demonstrating proficiency in the target language. Your proficiency is validated through passing the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) exam during your senior year.
Are Praxis or edTPA exams required at Edgewood College?
No, Edgewood College does not require those national exams. We use internal assessments to measure those competencies. We have a DPI-approved edTPA alternative that you will complete during your final semester with the support of your professors and cooperating teacher.
What level of support will I receive in this major?
Our Elementary Education program emphasizes hands-on learning. To ensure your success, a dedicated team of instructors, advisors, and administrators is committed to providing direct support throughout your academic journey.