Elementary Education, K-6 Major

Through our unique partnerships with local school districts, JBU students participate in an "Embedded Field Experience" program, putting them in a local classroom from the start. Students can also choose an endorsement in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL).

Majors > Elementary Education

Hear from professors and students about what makes JBU's education program great.

Why Study Elementary Education at JBU?

1

Experience a Clinical-Stye Education

Students spend a lot of time observing and teaching alongside teachers so that students are confident in classroom management and lesson planning.

2

Practice On-Campus

Elementary education students are taught how to make and eventually present sample lesson plans in a simulation elementary classroom on campus to experience first-hand the strengths and weaknesses of their lesson plans with the typical resources in an elementary classroom.

3

Get More Teaching Time

JBU students often teach double the amount of time that other student teachers do. Mentor teachers trust that JBU students’ education has prepared them to handle their classroom.

4

License Transfer

JBU’s program is accredited in such a way that allows students to transfer their teaching license easily across states and internationally.

5

Teach Abroad

JBU students can enhance their student teaching requirements during summer programs in Uganda, Lithuania, Guatemala, and various parts of the world.

Visualize and Practice Teaching in Model Classrooms in the Learning Resource Center (LRC).

Meet our Education Faculty

Connie Matchell

Department Head, Teacher Education
Professor of Teacher Education

Dr. Connie Matchell started her career with JBU as the Head of the Graduate Education program in 2015. Graduating from JBU in 1977, Dr. Matchell has always maintained strong ties with the university. She draws from 30 years of public school experience as a high school teacher, middle school principal, and district curriculum director to provide a rich foundation for her Graduate Teacher Education classes.

Dr. Matchell's accomplishments include serving as an Arkansas Department of Education Praxis III Assessor, an Arkansas Department of Education Scholastic Audit Team Member, an AdvanceEd team member, a Math Crusade Trainer, NEWMAST participant, Teacher of the Year, and the Arkansas Middle School Association Principal that Makes a Difference.

CMatchell@jbu.edu

Brian Herndon

Associate Professor of Teacher Education

Dr. Brian Herndon has been in education for over 20 years. He has served as a classroom teacher in Kindergarten, 1^st grade, 3^rd grade, and 4^th grade. He has also served as an elementary principal, elementary assistant principal, and the director of an early childhood special education preschool, where he served as a Local Education Authority (LEA) for hundreds of special education IEP meetings. As a classroom teacher, he developed a special interest in the teaching of reading and language arts and has studied extensively in these areas. Dr. Herndon’s experience in education is complimented by the fact that he is the father of four children, one of whom has Down syndrome. So, education is not just a professional calling for him, it is a personal calling as well.

BHerndon@jbu.edu

Curtis Cunningham

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education

Dr. Curtis Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with emphasis in Early Childhood from Southwest Baptist University, a Masters in Education with emphasis in Gifted Education from Drury University and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Gifted Education from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. At JBU, he is responsible for teaching classes related to classroom management, curriculum design, differentiated instruction and human development for students in the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Prior to coming to JBU, Dr. Cunningham worked for fourteen years in private and public schools. He has experience teaching Kindergarten, third and fourth grade in the regular classroom and teaching second and fifth grades in a program for gifted and talented students. He supported early-career teachers for six years as an instructional specialist before coming to JBU. He is excited to bring his expertise in curriculum design and differentiated instruction to JBU as we prepare the next generation of educators.

CJCunningham@jbu.edu

Kimberly Murie

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education

Dr. Kimberly Murie joined the Department of Teacher Education at John Brown in 2015. Dr. Murie earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas. After teaching science in two large public high schools for over ten years and serving as a department chair for eight years, God opened the door for Dr. Murie to resume the role of student herself. She returned to school to fulfill a lifelong dream of being an educator of teachers. Dr. Murie graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2015, earning a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Science Education.

Working in a public school setting for many years has given Dr. Murie a passion into the importance of having Christian educators engaged in public education. It is a great honor and privilege to be able to instruct and encourage future educators on how they can be the hands and feet of Christ to a student, a classroom, and a community.

KMurie@jbu.edu

Alumni Profile

Tina Crump '13

Tina Crump graduated in 2013 with a degree in Early Childhood Education and lives in Swaziland where she and her husband work in a children’s home. Crump’s primary responsibilities at the orphanage are to manage the after school-tutoring program for the children and to mentor a group of rural preschool teachers in the region. She also homeschools two of the special needs children in the home. “JBU did a great job of equipping me with a strong educational foundation through which I can base my partnerships with the Swazi children and their teachers,” Crump said. “I’m thankful for professors who truly love the Lord and always emphasized the importance of looking beyond the basic educational needs of the children and into their spiritual needs, as well.”

Rachel (Thornburg) Cherry '12

Starting out as a freshman majoring in graphic design, Thornburg never would have guessed she would switch her major to early childhood education. “I was reminded of my sincere love for kids through conversations with my parents and a mission trip to Guatemala where I was able to teach in the schools,” she said. “After being in Guatemala, I really felt like education was where the Lord wanted me.”

Rachel used her skills to become involved in both the local and JBU community. She spent numerous hours in local classrooms, led Passion groups, and joined JBU’s Enactus team. “The Department of Teacher Education at JBU truly cares about developing quality educators,” she says. “When I graduate from JBU, I know I will be prepared to enter the education profession.

Careers

1

Teach Overseas

Many international and missionary based schools look for qualified teachers to serve.

2

Work in Private or Public Schools

Educational institutions are always seeking quality teachers.

3

Work in Day Care Centers or Nursery Homes

Child care workers who understand childhood development and education fundamentals are in great demand.

4

Graduate School

Many graduates choose to pursue a degree in higher education to teach collegiate coursework in education.

5

Social Work

Elementary schools and other educational institutions look for social workers who have a background in education.

6

Educational Admininister

These professionals oversee the daily aspect of child care centers, preschools or other schools. Typically, this position requires an advanced degree.

7

Missions Work

Many missionary families are looking for qualified educational professionals to help them with homeschooling.