Moraine Valley Offers Terrific Teacher Training

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” This quote by author and historian Henry Brooks Adams expresses the reason so many caring and thoughtful people choose to pursue a teaching career. Moraine Valley is a great place to start your studies in the field of education. Recent graduate Erin Brennan says, “The education classes at Moraine Valley give you a solid foundation, so you’ll be comfortable as you get into the higher-level courses in your bachelor’s degree teaching program.” After earning her associate’s degree from Moraine Valley, Erin moved on to a four-year university to complete her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Like Erin, you can take the same general education classes you need for an education degree here at a much lower cost. Plus, you can choose flexible learning options that make it easy to fit college around your job and other responsibilities.

If you’d like to become a high school math or science teacher, or you’re considering a career in special education, this is the place to be! Moraine Valley is one of only five community colleges in the state that offers an Associate in Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree in secondary mathematics, secondary science, and special education. These unique degree programs prepare you for high-demand careers. They also emphasize core education classes, which easily transfer to an education program at a four-year college or university so you’ll enter as a junior. If you’re considering a degree in elementary education or secondary education in a discipline other than mathematics or science, you can complete your Associate in Arts degree at Moraine Valley and complete your bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.

“All of our education classes meet the requirements of the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards,” says Aileen Donnersberger, department chair, Social Science/Education. “And they are all Illinois Articulation Initiative-linked courses, which helps ensure an easy transition to a four-year school.” In addition, the Education Department worked closely with other departments such as mathematics, science, and psychology to align their curriculum with Illinois state standards for education students so these general education classes also would easily transfer.

Want to spend some time in an actual classroom while you’re learning? Our education programs give you the opportunity to observe actual classrooms in K-12 schools. Erin enjoyed participating in school observations and says, “It’s hard for someone to tell you what goes on in a classroom. You have to experience it for yourself.” Some students, such as Caleb Williams, find these observations help them clarify their goals. “I observed a high school history class and after watching the teacher, I could see myself in that position,” he says. Caleb soon will be transferring to a university to complete his training to become a high school social studies teacher. Students pursuing one of our A.A.T. degrees will spend several hours observing in classrooms that focus on their specific area of interest.

Considering a career as a paraprofessional teacher’s aide? Moraine Valley is recognized for its excellent program, which prepares students for this important job. In fact, Aileen helped author the Illinois test prep program for paraprofessionals and piloted it here at the college. Maria Estrada decided to pursue a Paraprofessional Educator A.A.S. degree after she learned she would lose her job as a teacher’s aide when the No Child Left Behind legislation was enacted. Although she had worked as an aide in a bilingual classroom for 17 years, the new law required her to become certified as a paraprofessional. She feels she has learned a great deal that will help her when she returns to work in a school. “Although I had a lot of experience working with kids in a classroom, now I’m more confident. I’ve learned so many ways that I can help the children,” says Maria. She also appreciates that she could use cutting-edge technology here. “It’s very important that paraprofessionals know computers so we can assist teachers,” she says. “Because I’ve learned the technology, I’ll be able to better help kids.” The college also offers a paraprofessional Educator certificate program. Moraine Valley’s Education Program welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds. Aileen says, “We currently have students from Poland, Palestine and Japan. And we’re seeing an increase in the number of men entering our program.” If you’re considering a career in education, contact Aileen Donnersberger at (708) 974-5595 or donnersbergera@morainevalley.edu, or Gail Ditchman, coordinator of Education, at (708) 974-5564 or ditchmang@morainevalley.edu to learn more about how you can achieve your dream of becoming a teacher or paraprofessional teacher’s aide.