Adolescence to Young Adult majors (grades 7-12) take a course within our program called “Instructional Techniques for Teaching AYA Learners with Exceptionalities” in which they are placed with an Intervention Specialist and learn instructional methods for students with disabilities and also with giftedness.
This class is only one reason why our AYA program is different from others. Our students are often treated to guest speakers who provide real-world and first-hand information that our students will be able use as they teach.
Pictured are Rev. Joe and Peggy Duvall who spoke to our AYA students about what it was like to have a daughter with disabilities in a classroom and work with teachers to provide her the best experience and education possible.
Rev. Duvall explained “Treat parents as equals. Be accommodating and strive to get ALL students to reach their potential.” In our department, we teach our pre-service educators that all children are a precious gift from God and we must do our utmost to educate and love them as such.
Articles of Interest
Ohio Christian to Offer Master of Education (MEd) Degree
Published: April 23, 2020
Ohio Christian University is excited to announce a new Master of Education
(MEd) graduate degree. Approved and accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the new MEd will
begin June 1, 2020.
The degree consists of 36 hours total made up of 18 core hours and 18 hours
in a specialization area. Specializations include Special Needs, English
as a Second Language, English, and Mathematics.
“This is a degree created by teachers for teachers with real-classroom
applications and relevant, current information,” says Dr. Valerie
Jones, OCU’s
Ohio Christian University is excited to announce a new Master of Education
(MEd) graduate degree. Approved and accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the new MEd will
begin June 1, 2020.
The degree consists of 36 hours total made up of 18 core hours and 18 hours
in a specialization area. Specializations include Special Needs, English
as a
Ohio Christian University is excited to announce a new Master of Education
(MEd) graduate degree. Approved and accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission and the Ohio Department of Higher
Teacher Education Department Offers ACT Prep Course
Published: November 30, 2019
Stress and anxiety often play a large role in ACT preparation. Ohio Christian
University hopes to alleviate some of this stress with an ACT prep course.
The course will be offered on Jan. 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is
hosted by Teacher Education Department Chair Dr. Valerie Jones. Students from
grades 10 through 12 are welcome to attend.
Registration for the class is $75. This cost includes a full day of ACT
preparation, workbooks on all four subjects, and methods developed by Dr.
Jones. Students that have used Jones’s methods have seen an average of five
points increased in
Stress and anxiety often play a large role in ACT preparation. Ohio Christian
University hopes to alleviate some of this stress with an ACT prep course.
The course will be offered on Jan. 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is
hosted by Teacher Education Department Chair Dr. Valerie Jones. Students from
grades 10 through 12 are welcome to attend.
Registration for the class is $75. This cost
Stress and anxiety often play a large role in ACT preparation. Ohio Christian
University hopes to alleviate some of this stress with an ACT prep course.
The course will be offered on Jan. 3 from 9:
Ohio Christian to Host Education Summit in November
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders
OCU Assisted with Summer Institute for Teachers
Published: June 14, 2019
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Pickaway
County ESC to design an institute that would benefit many educators.
Courses offered for graduate credit included Trauma Informed Care Training
II, Orton-Gillingham Training, and Google Classroom Training.
The Ohio Christian University Teacher Education Department believes in
providing excellent and effective professional development for the teachers
and the school
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Pickaway
County ESC to design an institute that would benefit many educators.
Courses offered for graduate credit included Trauma Informed Care Training
II, Orton-Gillingham Training, and
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental
OCU T.E. Group Observes Educators in Finland and Sweden
Published: June 6, 2019
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to study the top-two school
systems in the world. The group was able to tour a Finnish grade school to
observe their curriculum and instruction and speak with the students and
teachers. In Sweden, the group visited a university and were able to learn
about Swedish high schools and the transition to higher education. In
addition to the focus on education, the group did some sightseeing and
learned
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to study the top-two school
systems in the world. The group was able to tour a Finnish grade school to
observe their curriculum and instruction and speak with the students and
teachers. In Sweden, the
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to
Archived Articles of Interest
New K-12 Needs Intervention Specialist Degree Program Open for Enrollment
Published: July 17, 2018
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Department chair explains, “We train
teachers who have a Christ-like calling to educate all children, including
those with special needs. With the opioid and poverty crises
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of Education standards for
bachelor degree programs that prepare graduates for Mild/Moderate Needs
Intervention Specialist (K-12) licensure. Enrollment into the new program
is now open.
Dr. Valerie Jones
The Ohio Department of Education recently recognized that OCU’s
Mild/Moderate Needs Intervention Specialist (K-12) bachelor’s program meets
the Chancellor’s requirements and State Board of
Trauma Informed Care Training Hits Needs Head-On
Published: June 20, 2018
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well as area
educators, pastors, administrators, and social workers listened to
informative sessions covering topics ranging from classroom teaching to
social work case management. They engaged in dynamic discussions, break-out
activities and tasks that raised questions and prompted fresh thinking by
even the most inquisitive participants.
Hosted by social workers Amanda Knotts and Bryston
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well as area
educators, pastors, administrators, and social workers listened to
informative sessions covering topics ranging from classroom teaching to
social work case management. They engaged in
On June 4 and 5, Ohio Christian University hosted over 150 participants
attending the Southern Ohio Trauma Informed Care Training.
OCU undergraduate and graduate teacher education students as well
2019 Spring Trip to Learn Education Excellence in Finland and Sweden
Published: June 12, 2018
Learn how the Finnish and Swedish secondary school systems provide
world-class education for their students. These globally top-rated schools
maintain their excellent quality of education without homework or standard
tests.
Cultural experiences throughout this tour of Finland’s Helsinki and
Sweden’s Stockholm give participants an enriching perspective on
Scandinavia’s culture and progressive educational practices. Registration
is open now for this once-in-a-lifetime trip that begins in mid-May, 2019.
According to OCU Teacher Education Department Chair, Dr. Valerie Jones,
“Our aim
Learn how the Finnish and Swedish secondary school systems provide
world-class education for their students. These globally top-rated schools
maintain their excellent quality of education without homework or standard
tests.
Cultural experiences throughout this tour of Finland’s Helsinki and
Sweden’s Stockholm give participants an enriching perspective on
Scandinavia’s culture and
Learn how the Finnish and Swedish secondary school systems provide
world-class education for their students. These globally top-rated schools
maintain their excellent quality of education without
Teacher Ed Department Meeting Spring 2018
Published: March 2, 2018
The Teacher Education Department met for their spring meeting to discuss
updates within the programs and also for reminders of very important
information. There was also an announcement of European trip to Finland and
Sweden in May 2019. Current and future education students will have the
opportunity to travel to Finnish and Swedish schools to observe and interact
with their students and educational settings that are considered to be #1 in
the world, as well as sightsee and experience the culture during their time
there.
The Teacher Education Department met for their spring meeting to discuss
updates within the programs and also for reminders of very important
information. There was also an announcement of European trip to Finland and
Sweden in May 2019. Current and future education students will have the
opportunity to travel to Finnish and Swedish schools to observe and interact
with their students and
The Teacher Education Department met for their spring meeting to discuss
updates within the programs and also for reminders of very important
information. There was also an announcement of European
Students Gain Empathy in Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine
Published: March 1, 2018
By Amber Ginter
Ohio Christian University Teacher Education students and faculty participated
in Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine in Circleville Vineyard Church in
February. The event gave opportunities to show love and support to those
with disabilities.
Night to Shine is a prom where everyone can participate, delivering fun,
dancing, music, food, and normalcy. Created to embrace those with
exceptionalities so that they feel loved and special, the event enables
participants to show kindness in the spirit of Christian faith.
“It was a Christian event. Yet, you need not be a
By Amber Ginter
Ohio Christian University Teacher Education students and faculty participated
in Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine in Circleville Vineyard Church in
February. The event gave opportunities to show love and support to those
with disabilities.
Night to Shine is a prom where everyone can participate, delivering fun,
dancing, music, food, and normalcy. Created to embrace
By Amber Ginter
Ohio Christian University Teacher Education students and faculty participated
in Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine in Circleville Vineyard Church in
February. The event gave
