Education Studies

Jennifer Sommers, director of education and community engagement with the Houston Ballet, led an arts-in-education workshop for students in the James I. Perkins College of Education during the spring 2023 semester. Sommers’ visit was the first in a series of experiential learning events made possible by the Margaret Hoover Perkins Research award, administered by Dr. Lauren Burrow, SFA associate professor in elementary education. The ongoing partnership with Houston Ballet is set to serve as a model for the types of school and community engagements teacher candidates can adopt when they enter kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms.

The Braille and Cane Club from the orientation and mobility program advocates for individuals who are visually impaired. Each year, the club hosts a White Cane Day Parade to help educate the campus community.

Elementary education students traveled to Europe where they experienced cultural and educational life in a foreign classroom. The students spent two weeks observing and teaching in primary schools.

When 40 English-speaking preservice teachers in SFA’s disciplinary literacy course visited Las Americas Newcomer School, part of the Houston Independent School District, they learned how the students at this school feel every day feel when first introduced to a new language and culture.

At the Math Career Carnival, SFA teacher candidates design and teach the lessons to fourth and fifth graders. This helps teacher candidates understand how easy it can be to engage young learners in problem-solving mathematics tasks and to connect classroom learning with real-world careers.

Education students have the opportunity to conduct and present research at local, state and national conferences. Traci Dorsett participated in the 18th Annual Region Five Texas National Association for Multicultural Education Conference, where she presented research on advice teacher candidates and in-service teachers want and need.

Graduate students can engage in international field experiences in Las Clavellinas, Mexico.

Our Bilingual Education Student Organization works to contribute to the field of ESL/bilingual education through presentations at the Texas Association for Bilingual Education conferences.

Undergraduate students can engage in independent or collaborative research projects with opportunities to present across the country!

Experience outdoor adventure education with East Texas Adventurers, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department CO-OP-sponsored project!