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
Student Profile: Heather Tucker
Published: December 7, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Serving others, loving children, and seeking to have a heart like Jesus is
how Heather Tucker describes her passion for becoming an Intervention
Specialist through Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program.
With her focus on special needs, Heather seeks opportunities to serve on
campus and in the community.
Tuckers’ key accomplishments and inspiration have been in the Special
Olympics. She helps in training and competition of children and adults with
intellectual disabilities. She has been involved in helping these individuals
develop their fitness
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Serving others, loving children, and seeking to have a heart like Jesus is
how Heather Tucker describes her passion for becoming an Intervention
Specialist through Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program.
With her focus on special needs, Heather seeks opportunities to serve on
campus and in the community.
Tuckers’ key accomplishments and inspiration have
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Serving others, loving children, and seeking to have a heart like Jesus is
how Heather Tucker describes her passion for becoming an Intervention
Specialist through Ohio
Professor Valerie Jones Named Faculty Member of the Year
Published: November 29, 2018
Dr. Valerie Free Jones, chair of Ohio Christian University’s Department of
Teacher Education, has been recognized as Faculty Member of the Year for
2017-2018.
Professor Jones was awarded her doctorate in education, specializing in
curriculum and instruction from Marshall University in 2017. Her dissertation
on “The Whole Building is a Classroom: An Oral History of the School’s
Role in the Culture of the Community” featured the well-known high school
from which she graduated.
Jones earned her Bachelor of Science in Education cum laude at Ohio
University, and her Master of Arts in
Dr. Valerie Free Jones, chair of Ohio Christian University’s Department of
Teacher Education, has been recognized as Faculty Member of the Year for
2017-2018.
Professor Jones was awarded her doctorate in education, specializing in
curriculum and instruction from Marshall University in 2017. Her dissertation
on “The Whole Building is a Classroom: An Oral History of the School’s
Role in the
Dr. Valerie Free Jones, chair of Ohio Christian University’s Department of
Teacher Education, has been recognized as Faculty Member of the Year for
2017-2018.
Professor Jones was awarded her
OCU Develops Future Teacher's Skills in Educating 'Whole Child'
Published: November 16, 2018
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program is guiding the
next generation of teachers into modern day teaching.
Valarie Jones, chair of the education department, said they’re teaching
their education students about trauma-informed educating, a way to teach
students who have been affected by trauma to their maximum potential.
“Everything we do has the idea to love the kids first and then everything
else comes after
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program is guiding the
next generation of teachers into modern day teaching.
Valarie Jones, chair of the education department, said they’re teaching
their education students about trauma
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 15, 2018
The Ohio Christian University’s Teacher
Business Grad Finds Calling: Believer in Hands-on Learning
Published: November 2, 2018
By Quentin Detillion '20
I grew up in Chillicothe and went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I
didn’t know what I wanted to do then, so I switched majors a couple of
times before settling on business, and I graduated in business management. I
went home and began working for my father’s landscape design and
installation business that he’s had for forty years. While in school during
summers, I worked for him doing hardscaping projects. I enjoyed building
patios, pergolas, walls, and walkways. I did that for four years after
graduation. My dad taught me the ropes, and people asked if
By Quentin Detillion '20
I grew up in Chillicothe and went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I
didn’t know what I wanted to do then, so I switched majors a couple of
times before settling on business, and I graduated in business management. I
went home and began working for my father’s landscape design and
installation business that he’s had for forty years. While in school during
By Quentin Detillion '20
I grew up in Chillicothe and went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I
didn’t know what I wanted to do then, so I switched majors a couple of
times before settling on
Faculty Profile: Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce Joins Teacher Education Department
Published: November 1, 2018
Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce, who recently joined Ohio Christian University’s
Teacher Education Department, creates positive environments where students
thrive and succeed. Experienced in applying strategies for success in
teaching, she is well-versed in classroom management, online instruction, and
student support.
Recognized for her communication and relationship-building skills, Professor
Bruce teaches a spectrum of courses, including Educational Psychology, Math
Methods, Cultures of Children, Instructional Strategies for Adolescents and
Young Adults, Fundamentals of Communication, and
Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce, who recently joined Ohio Christian University’s
Teacher Education Department, creates positive environments where students
thrive and succeed. Experienced in applying strategies for success in
teaching, she is well-versed in classroom management, online instruction, and
student support.
Recognized for her communication and relationship-building skills, Professor
Bruce
Dr. Jeanne R. Bruce, who recently joined Ohio Christian University’s
Teacher Education Department, creates positive environments where students
thrive and succeed. Experienced in applying
