In the far corner of the Madsen Center on the Augustana campus is a large rectangular classroom filled with resources, posters, and colorful decorations on the wall. Students sit at comfortable round tables while teachers move among them freely or use the SMART technology at the head of the class to demonstrate ideas and engage them in meaningful learning experiences.  This one-of-a-kind setting is Augustana’s model classroom, where you will be taught to put education theory into practice—and where you can gather behind a one-way mirror in order to watch a master teacher working with students in the classroom.

Across the hallway, you might participate with or observe area professionals as they conduct diagnostic evaluations of children and youth with disabilities.  Our campus has the only fully outfitted Sign Language Interpreting Lab in the region dedicated exclusively to learning American Sign Language.

Not only will your campus classroom experience be hands-on, but you’ll engage in field experiences from the very beginning of your classes here, working as tutors, mentors, and classroom assistants throughout the Augustana community under the supervision of experienced faculty. The personalized attention you will receive as soon as you’re accepted to the program means that by the time you are officially student teaching in your senior year, your relationship with the faculty is more “a collegial relationship,” says department chair Dr. Sharon Andrews. Students and faculty develop such strong bonds that former students often ask their past professors for advice in their new, challenging jobs.

More about real-world experience through the education department.