Dream Home for Education

“We’re together,” said Dr. Barb Ramos, who has served as professor of education since 2004. “We have a home and students feel like they’re at home. The level of faculty collaboration and interaction with teacher education students has skyrocketed.”

Department chair and professor of education colleague Dr. Kate Lerseth says shared proximity has made an instant impact. “It’s unreal to all be here together. We get to hold our classes right next to each other and collaborate. And I constantly have students coming into my office, and we’re working on projects together.”

Teacher education’s new home in Dunn also features redesigned methods classrooms that more effectively emulate today’s dynamic K-12 learning environment. That’s a huge advantage for students in the program.

“When our students go out for their practicum and student teaching experiences, they teach in classrooms where tables, desks and chairs are in constant motion,” said Dr. Chad Timm ’95, associate professor of education and director of Master of Arts in teaching. “Now our teacher education students are learning in classrooms where the technology, tables and chairs, and whiteboards allow us to better prepare them to hit the ground running and succeed in those real-world environments.”

Lab-Tested Teaching Innovation

Similarly, the new curriculum lab boasts all the amenities, tools and resources students need. The environment is ideal for lesson planning, group study and projects, and honing their pedagogical skills as they host reading sessions and other events with local elementary students.

“The curriculum lab is a great example of the space’s ability to promote community building,” said Angel Schewe ’25, honors student and educational studies and English major. “The lab not only gives students access to resources, but it also provides a space where they can work on and practice their lessons. They can invite their professors, classmates and friends to offer insights that give students the experience necessary to be confident in what they’re doing.”

Ramos says the vital connecting thread to all the impressive upgrades in renovated Dunn is the supportive community of Simpson alumni who continue to pave the way for today’s generation of aspiring educators.

“Not only did they give gifts for this amazing physical space, but they also come back as guest speakers,” said Ramos. “They so readily accept our students for practicums and student teacher placements. They mentor our young people — and that mentorship is life changing.”

Shewe says the new spaces and great faculty fuel optimism about her future.

“The Dunn Library renovations make me, and other students, excited to continue our journeys in becoming educators,” said Schewe. “Despite the daunting challenges associated with teaching, the future of education is bright and there are people [here] who believe in and care about the impact of learning and teachers.”