By Rachel Cook, University of Florida
At the start of this year, there were already more than 3,000 teacher vacancies in K-12 schools throughout Florida. This ongoing teacher shortage throughout the state has led leaders at the University of Florida to launch a new online Bachelor of Arts in Education in Elementary Education program, set to begin in Fall 2025.
Made possible by a Florida Department of Education grant, developed by the UF College of Education and delivered through UF Online, the innovative program will offer flexible, online, accessible learning for Florida residents who aspire to become educators.
“We have an extreme teacher shortage in Florida and, as a land-grant institution, I believe we are responsible for supporting solutions,” said Alyson Adams, Ph.D., director of UF’s School of Teaching and Learning at the College of Education. “This online program will accommodate students around the state of Florida, expanding UF’s reach beyond our campus-based program.”
Rhiannon Pollard, Ph.D., interim director of UF Online, added, “The Elementary Education program will make meaningful impacts to teacher education in the state of Florida, and UF Online is truly excited to offer this degree in partnership with the College of Education.”
Adams and her colleagues developed the program specifically for Florida residents who can be consistently involved in elementary school classrooms throughout their studies. With funding from the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant – Grow Your Own Teacher Apprentice Program, Adams and her colleagues created four new courses and reimagined the program for online delivery.
Coursework is structured around real-world learning experiences, allowing students to engage in lesson planning, participate in guided discussions with mentor teachers and gradually transition to more independent teaching experiences.
“Our program at UF is focused on learning by doing, and learning alongside a master teacher, so that content learned in the courses is immediately useful in the classroom,” Adams said.
Following the successful launch of the online Early Childhood Education program last year, the Elementary Education program offers an additional pathway for future educators. While the Early Childhood Education program focuses on certification for teaching students from age 3 to third grade, the new program leads to certification for teaching students in kindergarten through sixth grade and emphasizes curriculum and instruction in various content areas.
Students who complete the program are eligible for a professional teaching certification in Elementary Education and endorsements in Reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
“Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become highly qualified teachers who can effectively address Florida’s teacher shortage and promote quality learning in elementary schools,” Adams said.
In addition to the new Bachelor of Arts in Education in Elementary Education and the Early Childhood Education degree, the College of Education offers a Bachelor of Arts in Education Sciences through UF Online. Students can further enrich their studies with online minors in Disabilities in Society, Early Childhood Studies and Educational Technology.
For more information about UF Online’s new Elementary Education major, and to apply for the inaugural fall cohort by April 28, visit ufonline.ufl.edu/degrees/undergraduate/elementary-education/.
Author
