Education

Grow your passion for teaching and learning as an education major.

Top 5 things you need to know about our Education Programs

Extensive Field Experience: Starting year one, students engage in frequent fieldwork in schools, allowing them to apply classroom theory in real-world settings. This includes opportunities for observation, student teaching, and direct involvement with diverse student populations beginning the freshman year.
Career-Ready Graduates: With quality education, affordability, and personalized support, graduates secure rewarding teaching careers immediately after graduation.
Personalized Attention: We emphasize individualized education, offering small class sizes that allow for close interaction with professors. This ensures students receive the mentorship and guidance needed to excel academically and professionally.
technology-focused: Students gain advanced technology skills using modern resources, including SMART Boards and cutting-edge classroom technology.
Specialized Programs and Certifications: Waynesburg offers a range of education programs, including certifications in early childhood, early childhood with special education, secondary education, special education, and middle-level education, catering to diverse interests and career goals.

The Department of Education at Waynesburg University is accredited for its elementary, elementary/middle, and secondary education programs through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

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At Waynesburg University, you'll take classes that emphasize the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for successful teaching in the 21st century classroom. Your studies will focus upon research-based, developmentally appropriate instructional practices. Field experiences are integrated with course work beginning in the freshman year.

You can specialize in early childhood, middle level or secondary education with a focus on social studies, science, mathematics, or English.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

You'll earn an undergraduate degree that is centered on the education of preschool and elementary age children (pre-kindergarten through grade 4).

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Special Education (PreK-12)

This new program will prepare you to teach students with disabilities in general education inclusive settings and in special education settings (pre-kindergarten through grade 12).

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Elementary/Middle Level Education (English)

This program will prepare you for a career teaching English/language arts in grades 4 through 8.

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Elementary/Middle Level Education (Social Studies)

This program will prepare you for a career teaching social studies in grades 4 through 8.

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Elementary/Middle Level Education (Science)

This program will prepare you for a career teaching science in grades 4 through 8.

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Elementary/Middle Level Education (Math)

This program will prepare you for a career teaching mathematics in grades 4 through 8.

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Master of Education

This degree has specialized focus areas, as well as a five-year dual degree and certification program (Bachelor to Master).

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Master of Arts in Teaching

This degree is designed for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree, but are looking for Secondary Education Licensure.

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The WU advantage

Practical experience

You'll have the opportunity to get in a classroom as soon as your freshman year. We provide countless chances to apply what you learn.

Strong educational content

As a student in the Department of Education, you'll learn classic theories of learning alongside modern pedagogical strategies.

Student teaching

You'll spend a semester in a local classroom where you will gain invaluable experience for your teaching career.

Education Department Resources

Admission, Progression, Dismissal & Program Completion Policies

Learn More About our Full-Time Faculty

Kelley Solomon is the Program Director for the Master of Education, Chairperson for the Education Department and Associate Professor of Education at Waynesburg University.

Before her career in higher education, Dr. Kelley Solomon spent seventeen years in public education teaching English/Language Arts. She earned her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Adolescent Literacy from West Virginia University. She is the author of “Listening to Students’ Voices about Young Adult Literature: A Phenomenological Approach.”

As an Associate Professor of Education, Dr. Solomon’s areas of expertise include curriculum, educational psychology, methodology, adolescent literacy, and pre-service teacher supervision.

She received her B.S. degree from West Virginia University, M.A. degree from West Virginia University and Ed. D. degree from West Virginia University.

Kelly McGurgan is an Assistant Professor of Education at Waynesburg University.

She received her B.S. degree from Grove City College, M.S. degree from Lock Haven University and Ph.D. degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Kelsey Sprowls is an Instructor of Education at Waynesburg University.

Before her career in higher education, Ms. Sprowls spent six years in public education, teaching middle school special education. She earned a master's degree from Waynesburg University in special education and is currently working on her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction with a focus on special education.

As an instructor of education, Ms. Sprowls' areas of expertise include special education (typical/atypical development, emotional and behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, high and low incidence disabilities, inclusive education), methodology and pre-service teacher supervision.

She is a recipient of the 2020 - National Board Certified Teacher: Exceptional Needs Specialist.

Ms. Sprowls received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Waynesburg University.

Lauren Werner is an Assistant Professor of Education at Waynesburg University.

She received her B.A. degree from Washington and Jefferson College, M.A. degree from Duquesne University and Ed.D. degree from Point Park University.

Learn More About our Part-Time Faculty Members

Elizabeth Popielarcheck is a Part-Time Instructor of Education at Waynesburg University.

Dr. Popielarcheck is a special education teacher, adjunct professor and a US Army veteran. A native of Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, she grew up in a military family and enlisted in the US Army herself at 17 years old.

Dr. Popielarcheck was honorably separated from the US Army on April 4, 2004, and pursued her college education that same year. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in education and Master of Education from California University of Pennsylvania. While there, she was also awarded the Outstanding Woman of the Year Award (2007), Presidential Scholar (2006, 2007, and 2008) and was a California Teaching Scholars Scholarship Recipient. In 2016, she applied and was accepted into the doctoral program at West Virginia University. She earned her Doctorate of Education in August 2022. Her certifications include Special Education N-12, Reading Specialist PK-12, Elementary K-6, English 7-12 and Social Studies 7-12.

Dr. Popielarcheck’s honors include being recognized as the Uniformed Services University Solider of the Year (2003) and Brigade Service Member of the Year (2003). Her accolades include the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and Expert Marksmanship Qualifications Badge with Grenade Bar.

Eric Gaydos has been a part of the Waynesburg University staff since 2018. He is also the Academic Director of the West Greene School District. He brings over 20 years of experience in education to his students. He had the unique opportunity to serve as the director of the Laurel Highlands Outdoor School Program which provided outdoor experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls for 5^th grade students. He is an advocate for rural education by seeking research-based programming to end generational poverty through his partnership with the Texas-based Collegiate Edu-Nation and the P20 Network. In 2024, he was awarded the Classroom Champions Community Leadership Award.

Randy Miller has been a part of the Waynesburg University staff since 2018. He is also the Director of Curriculum and Instruction K-12 with the Laurel Highlands School District. He brings over 30 years experience in education to his students. He was selected as Educator of the Year for the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce in 2013, received the Champion of Learning Award from the PA Consortium for Public Education in 2017, served on the Fayette County American Heart Association Board and the Fayette County's Communities that Care Initiative, is a Fayette Chamber of Commerce Board Director, and is a president of the Springwood Homeowners' Association.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Education from California University of PA, a Master of Education from Edinboro University, a Letter of Eligibility for Superintendent from Edinboro University and Certificate of Advanced Study in Secondary School Administration from Edinboro University.

Sarah Wolfe currently serves as an Instructor of Education in the Waynesburg University Education Department, bringing 20 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Prior to this role, she was the Elementary Principal at Trinity Christian School in Morgantown, WV, where the focus is on educating for life while honoring Christ. During her tenure, she successfully launched a Project-Based Learning Enrichment Program, established an outdoor learning space and school garden, and implemented an inquiry-based, hands-on elementary science curriculum. Before her time at Trinity, Sarah taught Beginning Algebra (MAT 106) at Waynesburg University from 2013 to 2017 and worked as an elementary teacher in public schools in Colorado and Virginia.