Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education

Where future educators come to learn.

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The Power of Education

Turn your passion for teaching into a meaningful career by getting a degree from the student-focused, innovative curriculum at the Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education. Here you’ll learn how to connect and teach many different types of learners from all different backgrounds with compassion, care and mindfulness — all while gaining the skills you’ll need to succeed in the rapidly-changing world of education.

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Our Mission

We develop educational leaders who practice an ethic of care and are agents for social change. We create inclusive learning communities that are reflexive and transformative. Supported by evolving technologies, we are process-oriented and purposefully work toward our goal to provide an innovative and cutting-edge program.

We have an expressed and committed sensitivity to diverse learners. Our candidates learn to utilize a culturally-responsive pedagogy that meets the challenges of a global world.

The faculty is committed to professional development and, in turn, supports students in career-oriented paths of learning resulting in the development of competent, professional educators. The Gleazer School of Education is dedicated to promoting visionary, innovative, responsive, and transformative communities of practice.

Our Vision

The Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education is committed to being a premier Education Preparation Program (EPP) that is visionary, innovative, responsive, and transformative.

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Undergraduate Education Degree Programs

Share your love of learning and become the teacher students will never forget. Through Graceland University’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, you’ll discover the educational tools and interpersonal skills needed to connect, inspire and empower young students at an important developmental time in their lives. Our elementary education degree will start you off with traditional in-classroom courses centered around a technology emphasis, psychological and sociological foundations and learning theory. Your coursework will be balanced by extensive, hands-on field experiences in both public and private schools along with the exciting opportunity for student teaching placements.

Bachelor of Arts – Elementary Education

Secondary Education Endorsement

Accreditation, Endorsements and Licensure

Graceland’s Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education that is accredited by the Iowa State Department of Education. This program leads to a licensure for the state Iowa in several endorsement areas. If you’re planning to teach in Missouri, Kansas or any other state than Iowa, we will work with you to plan your program in accordance with the requirements of that state.

  • Endorsements

    Accredited by the Iowa State Department of Education, Graceland’s teacher education has been cited for excellence in providing a technology emphasis, psychological and sociological foundations, and learning theory. Coursework is balanced by extensive field experiences in both public and private schools.

    Students majoring in elementary education receive a K-6 teacher elementary classroom endorsement. Students also receive additional licensure for their concentration area. Available areas of endorsement for elementary education students include:

    • K-8 Art
    • K-12 Athletic Coach
    • K-8 Reading
    • K-8 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate Special Education
    • K-8 Social Studies
    • K-8 English/Language Arts
    • K-8 Health
    • K-8 History
    • K-8 Mathematics
    • K-8 Music
    • K-8 Physical Education
    • K-8 Science (Basic)

    Secondary and K-12 education students major in the subject areas. Available areas of endorsement include:

    • 5-12 American History
    • 5-12 Art
    • K-12 Athletic Coach
    • 5-12 Biological Science
    • 5-12 Chemistry
    • 5-12 Economics
    • 5-12 English/Language Arts
    • 5-12 Health
    • 5-12 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate Special Education
    • 5-12 Physical Education
    • 5-12 Science (Basic)

    The elementary education program is offered on Graceland’s Independence, Missouri, campus and our site at North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri. Students wishing to enroll in this program should be making significant progress in completing an associate’s degree from any community college. With the transfer of an associate’s degree, the completion of the elementary education degree requires two years with a reading endorsement or a mild/moderate special education endorsement.

  • Licensure

    All students who successfully complete their elected program and pass the required licensing exams for the state of Iowa will be eligible for Iowa teacher licensure. Graceland’s program and licensure requirements are accredited by the Iowa State Department of Education.

    After graduation, you may pursue additional endorsements with Graceland. If interested, contact the Field Office at fieldoffice@graceland.edu.

  • Licensure Reciprocity

    The Educator Preparation Program at Graceland University provides coursework which meets the criteria approved for certification by the State of Iowa Department of Education.

    Those seeking an education license in another state may review the following document which outlines whether the Iowa License “meets” or “does not meet” that state’s or territory’s provisional license.

    Graceland University Gleazer School of Education Licensure Reciprocity document

    The research completed for the Iowa IHE Licensure Reciprocity was completed by colleagues from all Iowa Higher Education Institutions with Educator Preparation Programs. The research was then verified by another colleague from a different institution to serve as a third-party reviewer. Reviews will occur annually in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (IACTE) conference each fall after the previous year’s legislative session has closed.

    Graceland University Gleazer School of Education Contact: Department Chair, Tanya Coffelt at coffelt@graceland.edu.

    More information:

Meet Our Exceptional Faculty
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Lamoni: Our Main Residential Campus

The Graceland campus located in Lamoni, Iowa, is home to our undergraduate education program and endorsements, as well as many other undergraduate degrees.

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Independence: Home to Our Completion Program

Located in Independence, Missouri is our commuter campus where those who want to be a teacher learn how to manage a classroom and earn their degree in a collaborative environment.

A Quick Look At Graceland

Lamoni Campus

16:1

Student to faculty ratio

Fall 2023 Fact Book

1,203

Enrolled students

Fall 2023 Fact Book (all undergrad & grad)

3

Campuses

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The Man Behind the Name: Edmund J. Gleazer, Jr.

Known to many as the “Father of the American Community College”, Graceland alumni and seventh president, Edmund J. Gleazer devoted his life to making the pursuit of higher education available to all who sought it. After serving as president at Graceland from 1946-1957, Gleazer found his true calling as the executive director of the American Association of Junior Colleges and over the next 25 years, led the charge and drove phenomenal growth in community-based education in the United States.

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Testimonials From Our Students
Hands down, the best part about Graceland is the people that I have met while being here. Saying Graceland is a welcoming and loving community sounds pretty cliché, but it’s true. There are so many incredible human beings walking around on this campus, and I feel eternally blessed to be a part of such an incredible environment.
Abby Karlis '21 Women's Volleyball, Enactus, Academic Student Council Board, Peer Mentor Elementary Education
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Testimonials From Our Students
At Graceland, the community really feels like family — students and professors, they all become a part of your story. The thing I will remember most about my time at Graceland is the friendships I was able to cultivate with beautiful people from all backgrounds.
Rachel Chavez '20 Learning Mentor, Kids Alive International Elementary Education
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Testimonials From Our Students
Graceland has small classes and some great support systems for students. The writing center and tutors really give you that extra support and it is accessible to everyone. The professors had a lot of field experience set up for me and my fellow classmates in the education program. This helped me get a real feel for how my future job would be and made me feel more prepared for my first job.
Mattie Maloy '19 Special Education Teacher, Sherwood Autism Center Elementary Education
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Testimonials From Our Students
It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes Graceland so special, because the list goes on and on. I have yet to come across anywhere else that presents you with so many opportunities to do and try anything you would like. Want to be a leader? There’s lots of options for that. Want to play a new sport? Join IMs or go talk to the coach. Want to start a club? Great, let’s hear your idea. Want to get involved? There are endless opportunities for that. You name it, if you want to explore it, Graceland will support you in doing so.
Allie Kaminski-Krabbenhoft '16 Math Teacher Mathematics and Secondary Education
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Testimonials From Our Students
Furthering my education at Graceland University has put me one step closer to becoming National Board certified. It was the curriculum, which is geared towards the propositions supporting the National Board for Professional Teaching, that was the deciding factor for me to pursue the Master's in Education – Curriculum and Instruction at Graceland University. Also, Graceland kept the working professionals in mind with the program’s flexibility and practicality. The professors and leaders within the program have provided real-world insight and theory that bridge the gap between classroom learning and everyday teaching. The knowledge I am gaining from the professors and guest speakers has directly influenced my professional life.
Rebecca Mace – Education '12 Blackburn Elementary 2011-12 Teacher of the Year MEd in Curriculum and Instruction
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News from the Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education

Get the latest news and information on upcoming events from Graceland’s school of education.

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Students

Making a Difference in Education

May 20, 2024

Along with their Graceland diploma, four recent graduates also...

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Faculty

A Passion for Excellence in Education

April 25, 2024

Finals week is rough on students, faculty and staff—passing...

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Alumni, Faculty, Students

Day of Discoveries

April 18, 2024

When classes are canceled for the day but it’s...

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Faculty

School of Education Professors Present at National Conference

February 6, 2024

Members of the faculty from the Gleazer School of...

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Press Release

Graceland University Re-Launches Teacher Education Program in Trenton

June 27, 2022

Graceland University is excited to relaunch its teacher education...

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Faculty

Excellence in Education Banquet: Dudley Receives Award

May 5, 2022

The Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the Excellence...

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Accredited by the State of Iowa

 

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The Gleazer School of Education (GSOE) is accredited by the State of Iowa Department of Education. This organization updated its approval of the GSOE accreditation in 2016 and continues to provide licensure to its graduates.

Make a Move Towards a Career in Education

Get in touch today to learn about Graceland’s education degree programs.

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