Theatre Arts Education
The Theatre Arts Education (K–12) program provides the knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary to help you become an outstanding drama teacher. The program also promotes a positive and holistic understanding of the teaching profession within a reflective practitioner framework. You will study both theatre arts and education and may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduating, you will be licensed to teach drama on the elementary, middle school, and high school grade levels.
The Teacher Education program at Lees-McRae has achieved the high standards required to maintain accreditation by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). Building on a liberal arts core curriculum, the program curriculum has a balance of philosophy, theory, and practice for effective teacher preparation.
What You'll Study
You will work your way from the front of the stage, to the back of the stage and into the classroom with dance, movement, lighting, production, directing, costuming, and student teaching.
Courses will focus on your dual interests of theatre and education, allowing you to develop your skills as a performer or technician while learning how to convey those skills as a teacher yourself. Your classroom experiences will be enhanced with regular experiential learning, preparing you to be the most effective you can be in your career as an educator.
Beyond the Classroom
Your experience in the K-12 classroom begins in your first semester and continues into your second semester with observations hours, followed by an internship in your third semester and your student teaching in your fourth and final semester. In addition, class trips, student research, and other experiential learning opportunities will also be offered.
After Graduation
Common Career Areas
Career information is provided through Vault and O'Net. Current Lees-McRae students can see the full results on Vault using their student email and password.
Meet the Faculty
Pamela Vesely, EdD
Dean of Education and Social Sciences, Professor
Joshua Yoder
Director and Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts
Susan Dean, EdD
Professor of Teacher Education
Nancy Gryder, EdS
Assistant Professor of Education
Dorothy Ley
Clinical Supervisor for Teacher Education
Melissa McCullough, EdD
Program Director of Master of Arts in Teaching, Assistant Professor of Education
Michael Hannah
Program Coordinator and Professor of Theatre Arts
Natalie R. Davies, MFA
Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts
Shauna Godwin, BA
Dance Instructor
Kathleen DenBleyker, MM
Instructor of Music
Pam Joslin
Operations Manager, Theatre Arts Administrative Assistant
Scott Koenig
Technical Director for Theatre Arts