Why earn your teaching credential at Westmont?Westmont’s Department of Education provides a supportive collegial community in which to acquire a rigorous, practical, and professional preparation for K-12 teaching. Building on teacher-candidates’ liberal arts education, our program is designed to develop exemplary instructional skills, habits of reflection, and moral and cultural sensitivities that promote lifelong learning of diverse students.

Teaching is a special calling.

Enjoy AHA moments.When the “light bulb of learning” goes on in a student’s mind, teachers experience great pleasure.

“Love others”—it’s a part of the job description.Christ calls us to love one another—what better way to do this than by loving students?

Help students reach their potential.Teachers lead, motivate and inspire youth to learn.

Stay younger.Students keep teachers young and current—and each day is full of surprises!

Get a job with great benefits.Teachers appreciate generous vacation time, full family health benefits, and strong retirement.

Experience job security.100,000 teachers will be needed in California over the next ten years.

Affect the future.Teachers create a positive tomorrow by influencing today’s youth.

Embrace a noble profession.People admire teachers who open up doors to learning.

Reasons to pursue a teaching career.

Join a caring, close-knit community.Westmont offers small classes in a safe environment where students learn and practice effective teaching skills.

Develop essential dispositions.Professors model and guide students to be lifelong learners, reflective practitioners, compassionate professionals, and grateful servants.

Examine key educational issues from a Christian perspective.Professors encourage exploration of current educational issues from a Christian perspective.

Learn from experienced and well-trained faculty.Full-time faculty with over 90 years of experience in education instruct and guide students through the credential program.

Make great connections in the education community.Westmont’s stellar reputation sets the stage for credential candidates to observe, teach and invest in local multicultural schools.

Obtain your teaching credential and a BA in 4 or 5 years.With careful planning, students can earn a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential in four years.

Receive strong preparation for state teaching exams.Westmont students have an excellent record on required state assessments.

Graduate well-prepared to teach.Westmont credential candidates are prepared through a rigorous, highly practical, and professional program.

Enjoy landing a teaching job.Westmont graduates are highly successful in landing teaching positions.

Westmont is a special place.Reasons to pursue a teaching credential at Westmont.

Hear from secondary teachers

Reflections from elementary teachers

“I foster an energetic physical education atmosphere, expose students to a variety of experiences, and help them find their athletic passions.”

Jeremy Hui ‘96Canada

“As an art educator, I provide space and time for students to create and express themselves, which helps me feel a special bond with them.”

Katie Curry ‘13Santa Barbara, CA

“Students in my classroom learn math, but they also learn that there are people who care about them and the decisions they make.”

DJ Stout ‘13Bakersfield, CA

“As I actively engage students in investigating science, their natural curiosity emerges, which makes learning fun.”

Mike Lynch ‘09 Santa Barbara, CA

“I love teaching Spanish and being involved in the lives of young people, challenging them to grow in perspective of language, culture, and communication.”

John Bailey ‘98Santa Ynez, CA

“As a music educator, I provide a whole, integrated approach to learning that values the individual and their place in God’s kingdom.”

Rebecca (Leftwich) Hodson ‘85Santa Barbara, CA

“I love to teach English because you have the opportunity to invite students into stories that can ultimately shape their own story.”

Marie (O’Neill) Bagdanov ‘12 Santa Barbara, CA

“Though I love teaching history, even more I love guiding students in academic, physical, or emotional situations.”

Ema Diaz (Gonzales) Edrington ‘12Carpinteria, CA

“Watching a child grow in knowledge and wisdom and see a young face light up with the joy of a new discovery delights my heart.”

Sarah Venable ‘11San Jose, CA

“Teaching in a third-world environment has been challenging, but Westmont helped me develop effective dispositions and skills.”

Emily Hagen ‘13 Micronesia

“Watching a child grow in knowledge and wisdom and see a young face light up with the joy of a new discovery delights my heart.”

Sarah Venable ‘11San Jose, CA

“Teaching in a third-world environment has been challenging, but Westmont helped me develop effective dispositions and skills.”

Emily Hagen ‘13 Micronesia