School of Education

Early Childhood Learning Lab Hands-On Learning Meet Our Faculty

Everyone Remembers That Teacher Who Made a Positive Impact on Their Life.

We are dedicated to shaping the future of education through innovative teaching, rigorous academic programs, and a supportive community of passionate educators. Our commitment to excellence is exemplified by our lab school for students with dyslexia and our early childhood learning lab, providing hands-on, practical experience for our students and exceptional educational opportunities for children.

Best Colleges. U.S. News & World Report. Regional Universities South 2024

The Princeton Review. The 389 Best Colleges 2024

2024-2025. Education. Colleges of Distinction

An Unparalleled Education Experience

Supportive Faculty

You will learn from professors who are personally committed to your success. They provide individualized guidance and support, ensuring you receive valuable feedback and mentorship throughout your academic journey.

On-Campus Lab Schools

All education majors have opportunities to collaborate with teachers and students at our on-campus lab schools, the Early Childhood Learning Lab and the Roberts Academy.

Practical Experience

Clinical experiences, internships, and partnerships are a major part of the education programs, with opportunities beginning in your first year. These hands-on experiences ensure you are well-prepared for a successful career, providing valuable insights and practical skills.

Generous Funding

Mark and Lynn Hollis established the Hollis Fellows in Education Program to provide scholarships to education majors pursuing teaching careers.

FSC offers education majors so many opportunities! Practical experiences, both on campus and through fieldwork, prepared me for the classroom and reinforced my passion for teaching. The support from the faculty is incredibly influential; each encouraged and challenged me to excel.

Jimmy Houle '23

Fifth-grade reading teacher, Spessard Holland Elementary

Undergraduate Programs

Art Education

Prepare to teach visual arts, fostering creativity and artistic skills in K-12 learners.

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Elementary Education

Equip yourself to teach a variety of subjects to children in elementary schools, focusing on meeting the needs of all learners.

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Music Education

Train to teach music in grades K-12, covering music theory, performance, and conducting to inspire and educate future musicians.

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Secondary Education

Prepare to teach middle and high school grades 6-12 in subjects such as biology, English, math, and social science, focusing on advanced academic content and adolescent development.

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Special Education Minor

Focus on essential knowledge and skills to support students with diverse learning needs.

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Degree Completion for Working Adults

Earn your Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education through this flexible option.

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Save Time and Money with FSC's Master of Education

Pursuing your Master’s in Education in Transformational Leadership (MEd) while an undergrad is a wise move.

Learn Why

Get Your DOE Credits with FSC's Teacher Workshops

Florida Southern makes earning certification and recertification credits convenient! Taught by faculty, our workshops are approved by the State of Florida Department of Education can be completed online.

Learn How

Master of Arts in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

Transition to a teaching career with online courses in research-based practices and hands-on internship designed for individuals from diverse professional backgrounds.

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Master of Education in Educational Leadership

Gain the skills and credentials to lead your Pre-K–12 academic community with practical curriculum and professional networking opportunities. This program is designed for teachers holding a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate.

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Master of Education in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

Advance your teaching career by enhancing your knowledge of student-centered, experiential, and problem-based learning methods. This program is designed for teachers holding a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate.

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Doctor of Education

Prepare for roles in administration, policy development, higher education, and research with a comprehensive program covering curriculum, assessment, professional development, and policy analysis, culminating in a dissertation.

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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Advance your career as a leader in K-12administration, school districts, policy development, or higher education with rigorous program focused on research, collaboration, and leadership skills.

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Take the Next Step on Your Educational Journey

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Happening in Education

Exterior photo of the Roberts Academy building with a clear blue sky.

The Roberts Academy Launches First-Grade Program

This new addition will provide students with the essential tools for successful...

Senior Spotlight Jimmy Houle 23

Building Bridges and Making an Impact

Fifteen members of the FSC community participated in the 67th Annual Meeting of the Florida Educational Research Association

Education Students Making Waves at FERA

Students excel among educational researchers with impactful posters and presentations.

the Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and Health

FSC in the Community

With the start of a new school year, the Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood...

Stay Connected

Follow FSC’s School of Education on Instagram to keep up with all our classroom adventures and beyond.

Education on Instagram

Connect with the School of Education

Lori Rakes, Ph.D.

Dean of Education

Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair of Education

Associate Professor of Education

Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 113

863.680.4172

W. Lee Brackman, III, M.Ed.

EL Professional Education Program Manager

Lamar Louise Curry Education Center - 105

863.616.6457

Brooke Veal, MATL

Director of Field Studies and Evening Education Programs

Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 106

863.680.5004

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Everyone Remembers That Teacher Who Made a Positive Impact on Their Life.

Jump-Start Your Teaching Career at Roberts Academy

Gain valuable hands-on experience in elementary education at Roberts Academy, specializing in supporting children with dyslexia. Join us to make a lasting impact on young learners' lives while honing your teaching skills in a supportive environment dedicated to educational excellence.

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SACSCOC Accredited

Florida Southern College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Florida Southern College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404.679.4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Unparalleled Education Experience

Dedicated Education Faculty

All of our education faculty members bring an average of 20 successful years of teaching and administrative experience to the classroom — this combination of academic and real-world knowledge creates a rich learning environment for students.

Meet our Faculty

Hands-On Education Learning

All education majors, in addition to completing internships off campus, work closely with children in the Early Learning Lab with students age 3 to 5 years, as well as those enrolled in The Roberts Academy, a 2nd to 8th school for talented children with dyslexia.

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Leading Edge Pedagogy

Florida Southern College is committed to ensuring that our students are prepared for the challenges of today’s classroom by offering both STEM Education and Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Reading Instruction courses leading to concentrations in Education.

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Professional Development School Partnership

Partnerships will serve as a strong bridge supporting teacher educator preparation, academic and clinical experiences, and theory and practice.

This intentional, closely supervised, and highly engaged learning opportunity for future educators will serve as a model program demonstrating the School of Education’s commitment to the preparation of outstanding future educators by embracing their engagement in the local school district.

The Florida Southern College partnership with Polk County Public Schools provides students to work hands-on with K-12 students in the local public schools.

Our Programs

Undergraduate

Elementary Education

Secondary Education

Adult Bachelor

Adult Undergraduate Elementary Education

Graduate

Master of Arts in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

Master of Education in Educational Leadership

Master of Education in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction

Doctoral

Doctor of Education

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

The Roberts Academy Launches First-Grade Program

This new addition will provide students with the essential tools for successful...

Senior Spotlight Jimmy Houle 23

Building Bridges and Making an Impact

Education Students Making Waves at FERA

Students excel among educational researchers with impactful posters and presentations.

FSC in the Community

With the start of a new school year, the Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood...

Florida Teacher Workshops

Learn More

Lab School Programs

We are dedicated to expanding the scope of academic knowledge through our centers and institutes: Roberts Center for Learning and Literacy, Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College, and Early Learning Lab

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Lori Rakes, Ph.D.

Dean of Education

Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair of Education

Associate Professor of Education

Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 113

863.680.4172

W. Lee Brackman, III, M.Ed.

EL Professional Education Program Manager

Lamar Louise Curry Education Center - 105

863.616.6457

Brooke Veal, MATL

Director of Field Studies and Evening Education Programs

Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 106

863.680.5004