Explore the Fritz Shurmur Center for Teacher Development
Connect with the Director
Suellyn Henke
Professor & Chair, Education
Director, TEP
Email Suellyn
Schedule a Campus Visit Submit Your Deposit Connect with the Shurmur Center
Connect with the Director
Suellyn Henke
Professor & Chair, Education
Director, TEP
Email Suellyn
Schedule a Campus Visit Submit Your Deposit Connect with the Shurmur Center
Bella Bakeman '25 shares her experience in the Maemester program her junior year.
Become a teacher at Albion!
Albion College’s Teacher Education Program (TEP) offers an enriching pathway for aspiring educators, grounded in the college’s liberal arts tradition. The program emphasizes the development of teachers who are not only knowledgeable in their subjects but also deeply committed to fostering personal growth and advocating for social change. Through a combination of academic coursework and hands-on clinical experiences across the curriculum, students explore the intersection of theory and practice, gaining the skills needed to engage with diverse learners and communities in meaningful, impactful ways.
The TEP at Albion stands out for its strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and lifelong learning. Faculty and staff actively promote a sense of belonging through compassionate communication and outreach to students from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation and LGBTQ+ students. Situated in a diverse community, the program encourages candidates to reflect critically on their teaching practices and to approach education as a tool for addressing societal challenges. By fostering democratic learning communities, Albion prepares future teachers to not only impart knowledge but to also be change-makers in diverse educational settings.
Contact us to schedule a visit or a conversation with a current student to learn more about how we infuse experiential learning into every course!
I was volunteering with kids, trying to be part of the Albion community. Some of my professors saw the potential I had and told me I should think about teaching; I never thought about education prior.
Maemester
The Maemester Boundary Crossing experience allows Albion College education students a unique hands-on opportunity to live the day of a teacher.
During the spring term, junior-year students, all of whom have been admitted into the Fritz Shurmur Center for Teacher Development, teach their units over a three-week Maemester period.
Students plan experiential learning and gain experience creating a budget for materials. Students are able to apply theory, research, and pedagogical knowledge that they learned during their seminar to the real world.
Maemester