Education Studies
- Department Interdisciplinary
- Academic Division The College
- Offerings Minor
W&L offers minors in education and education policy. Students can pursue a professional teaching license to teach in K-12 schools in one of 21 different endorsement areas through our nationally accredited teacher education program; or they can pursue an interdisciplinary minor in education policy that prepares them for work in a variety of social and political arenas.
Education Minor/Teacher Licensure
All states require professional education courses for licensure to teach in public schools. Through the Rockbridge Teacher Education Consortium (RTEC), a collaborative teacher-preparation partnership between W&L and Southern Virginia University, students may earn a teaching license in elementary, middle or secondary education. In addition, many private schools favor applicants who have been licensed through a state-approved program. Our graduates go on to careers as teachers, administrators, community organizers, counselors, clergy, professors and more.
Education Policy Minor
W&L offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates to pursue an interdisciplinary minor in education policy. Students chose from an array of courses in education, politics, economics and poverty studies and complete fieldwork and service opportunities in local schools. Students minoring in education policy have gone on to careers as teachers, researchers, policy analysts, lobbyists, economists, politicians and lawyers.
Special Programs and Study Abroad
Teaching Opportunities: Our programs offer opportunities to teach abroad in numerous countries, including Ireland and Denmark, in local schools, and in partnerships with numerous teaching residency programs.
Sarah G. Ball Education Award: This award is granted to a senior at Washington and Lee University who has completed coursework in the field of education and teaches in a low SES school. The $4,000 award is renewable for a second year of teaching.
Burish Service-Leadership Internships: These selective programs make interns responsible for determining the volunteer needs of an assigned school in the Rockbridge County School System, recruiting and training tutors to fill those needs, ensuring that tutors are responsible for their assigned shifts, and filling in where needed.
Teacher Licensure Endorsement Areas
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (PREK-6) &
MIDDLE EDUCATION (6-8)
English
Science
Mathematics
History and Social Sciences
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Physics
Mathematics
English
Journalism
History and Social Science
PREK-12
French, German, Spanish, Latin, Chinese
Vocal and Instrumental Music
Theater Arts
Visual Arts
“I am sure my time studying teacher education strengthened my mind and heart to invest in students, strive toward organizational excellence, and bring people — young and old — together.”
Ralston Hartness
Class of 2018
Two W&L Students Awarded Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship
Jessica Pachuca ’25 and Gabe Miller ’25 will attend the PPIA Junior Summer Institute at Carnegie Mellon University this summer.
W&L’s Alina de Zoysa ’25 Awarded the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service
De Zoysa is the university’s first recipient of the two-year scholarship for juniors interested in a public service career.
Sharon Mendieta Ramirez ’23 has designed her W&L experience to prepare her for her career as an educator.
W&L Education Studies Professor and Student Co-Author Journal Article
Professor Eric Moffa and Jake Winston ’24 penned the article which appeared in The Social Studies Journal.
W&L’s Maggie Hawley ’23 Selected for Fulbright to Spain
Hawley has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Spain.
Lucy Ortiz ’15 Awarded Luce Scholarship
The scholarship provides young scholars with an immersive experience in Asia through which they can learn to "be comfortable being uncomfortable."
W&L Education Studies Professor Named to Various Committees in Education Field
Eric Moffa holds several state and national leadership positions in the field of education.
W&L’s David Gálvez ’22 Awarded Fulbright to France
Galvez has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to France, where he will teach English to secondary school students and serve as a cultural ambassador for the United States.
At Home on Campus: David Galvez ’22
David Gálvez's favorite places on campus are the Global Discovery Laboratories and a special study corner in the library.
Immerse Yourself in Spring Term!
It's the most wonderful term of the year, so keep an eye on @wlunews social media and this post for a daily dose of W&L's deeply engaging four-week term.
Five W&L Students Honored as Virginia Teachers of Promise
Clay Chadwick ’22, Demmanuel Gonzalez ’21, Caleb Peña ’21, Carolina Rubio Regalado ’22 and Pamela Steimel ’22 were recognized in March by the Virginia Teachers of Promise Institute.
W&L Presents Demmanuel Gonzalez ’21 in Concert
On March 26, Gonzalez will perform selections by composers Domenico Scarlatti, Gabriel Fauré, Manuel de Falla and others.
Meet the Faculty
At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.
Haley Sigler
Director of Teacher Education, Associate Professor
- P: 540-458-8284
- E: siglerh@wlu.edu
Sigler teaches courses on the foundations of education, teaching methods and childhood policies. Her research pertains to writing workshops, writing across the curriculum, and teacher education program development.
Eric D. Moffa
Assistant Professor of Education
- P: 540-458-8778
- E: moffae@wlu.edu
Moffa teaches courses on the foundations of education, methods for middle and secondary education, and fieldwork in education. He has researched rural education, global and digital citizenship, and teaching controversial issues.