“Empowering Teachers to Serve and Lead in Rural Appalachia and Beyond”

Teaching is more than a job; it is a rewarding career.  If you have the dedication and passion to pursue a career in education, the Patton College of Education can help you reach your goal.  We work closely with our surrounding schools and districts to design and implement quality educator training programs that prepare successful teachers at the elementary, middle, or high school levels.  

In addition, the Patton College of Education understands that schools need teachers who are dedicated to learning, leading, and empowering others through their professional knowledge and leadership skills. Therefore, the goal of our Teacher Leader Master’s Program is to equip teachers with the necessary leadership skills to positively transform their classrooms, schools, districts, and the profession.

Patton College of Education faculty members have many years of combined experience within P-12 classrooms. They are committed to the success of every student and provide the ongoing support that is so important to our teacher education candidates.  The majority of our students obtain jobs the first year after graduation and remain in education throughout their careers.

students reading to elementary class
College of Education professor and student in classroom
professor and student in classroom

Programs of study

All PCOE degree programs are offered as either BA or BS degree options, unless specified.

Elementary Education (Certification in Grades P-5)
A candidate who completes a program in elementary education will be prepared to teach in primary through fifth grade.

Middle Grades Education (Certification in Grades 5-9)
A candidate who completes a program in middle grades education will be prepared to teach in grades five through nine. Program areas include: science, social studies, English, or math.

Secondary Education (Certification in Grades 8-12)
A candidate who completes a program in secondary education will be prepared to teach in grades eight through twelve. Program areas include biology, chemistry, English, math, or social studies.

Teacher Leader Master’s Program (Rank 1 Master’s Degree,
Rank 1 Non-Degree, Rank 2 Master’s Degree, or Endorsement for Certification Only)

Educational Studies

Vision
The Patton College of Education will collaborate with colleagues, P-12 partners, and community members to empower teachers to serve and lead in rural Appalachia and beyond and to improve our community, region, country, and world through education and leadership.

Mission
The mission of the Patton College of Education is to model best practices, create challenging learning experiences, use technology resources, and address diverse learning needs to prepare teachers for the schools and communities in which they will serve. 

Core Values:

  • Academic Excellence:  We are committed to providing exceptional education programs that have opportunities for rigor, innovation, the best research-informed practices, and support for critical thinking, problem solving, and thoughtful inquiry.
  • Collaboration: We are committed to fostering collaboration with all stakeholders within education, our school, and community.
  • Diversity: We are committed to building a program that meets the diverse needs of all students, ensures equal opportunity for success regardless of experiences and personal differences, and attracts a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff.
  • Leadership: We are committed to developing leaders in our schools who serve others with compassion, use best practices drawn from reflection and current research, build systems that guarantee fairness and equity, and value and empower those they lead.
  • Equity: We are committed to building systems that guarantee fairness, focus on reducing achievement gaps, and value and empower those they lead.

Accreditation

The teacher education programs for initial and advanced certification listed below are accredited through the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP):

Initial Certification Teacher Education Programs

  • Elementary 

Middle Grades Certification Programs

  • English 
  • Mathematics 
  • Science 
  • Social Studies 

Secondary Education Programs

  • Biological Science
  • Chemistry 
  • English 
  • Mathematics 
  • Social Studies 

Advanced Certification Teacher Education Programs 

  • Teacher Leader Master’s/Post Master’s

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KEA-Student Program

The KEA-Student Program is a professional association for college students preparing to enter the teaching profession. Through it’s affiliation with the KEA, KEA-SP provides college students assistance, benefits, professional resources, and the opportunities to learn, not only from each other, but from a network of advisors and professional educators. 

List of student members as follows:

  • Michael King and Theresa Dawahare, Patton College Sponsors
  • Sarah Coleman, President
  • Ryen Livers, Vice-President
  • Lexie Bevins, Treasurer
  • Kynsley Redmon, Secretary
  • Skylar Stumbo and Chloe Sturgill, Promotion/Publicity
  • Dylan Morris, Meeting Coordinator
Pictured above, KEA Student Program members




Academic Events