All teacher education programs are not the same

Teaching can be a rewarding but also a highly challenging career.

I know this from personal experience. I taught full-time in public and private schools for ten years and at the college level for two years, part-time.

The better trained students are during their college years--the more models, methods, content, and quality mentoring they have--the more likely they are to succeed in real world settings.

If you or your son or daughter is interested in becoming a teacher, you need to know that not all college and university education departments do an equally fine job educating future teachers. Yes, many accredited institutions offer degrees and state certifications. But to truly make an impact in the classroom and in the lives of children, education students need a program with a stellar record in educating the educator, that offers avenues for lifelong success and extraordinary achievement.

Holy Family University offers top-notch teacher education programs. How do I know this? For one thing, Holy Family has decades of experience and an exemplary reputation for educating future teachers. Faculty members have won numerous awards and have published textbooks used in college classrooms. On November 3, the School of Education is offering a symposium called "The Ethical Role of Educators", an important professional development opportunity for other teachers from the region. Now, with the addition of a doctoral program in education and principal certifications, Holy Family is not only preparing future teachers but also the future leaders of teachers and schools. 

In the last several years, the University has issued many, many teacher certifications, perhaps more than any other private college or university in Eastern Pennsylvania.  

Lastly, Holy Family graduates have received numerous awards. Just last month, Holy Family recognized outstanding education graduates, some of whom had been multiple award winners from various organizations. Two of these winning educators include:

• Nancy Larovere-Matteo, class of 1979, principal at St. Andrew School in Newtown. She received the 2012 Distinguished Educator of the Year at Holy Family. Previously she was named a Distinguished Principal of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In 2012, she was named a Distinguished Principal for the National Catholic Education Association and was also awarded the title of Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
• Special education teacher Kimberly Klemmick, who received her master's degree from Holy Family in 1996, Alumni Educator of the Year for 2012. Previously, she was recognized as the New Jersey State and National Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Special Education Centers.

Holy Family offers numerous majors and certifications--the list keeps growing--for undergraduates, graduates, and now doctoral students, all within the field of education. 

But if your son or daughter's dream or your dream is to teach one day, I hope you'll visit Holy Family and take a closer look at our major in education. We have an Open House for prospective undergraduates coming up on Sunday, November 11, beginning at noon. You can email admissions@holyfamily.edu for more information.

Schools today need quality teachers more than ever. Holy Family University has helped generations of teachers realize their dreams to teach and distinguish themselves as successful teachers.