About the School
Message From the Dean
A strong tradition of excellence has earned the School of Education the reputation as one of the Midwest’s premiere education institutions. Our commitment to quality can be seen in our classrooms as well as among our students, alumni, and faculty. Academic training at Drake encompasses robust curriculum and instruction, hands-on experiences, and global perspectives on the changing world of education. Students learn from knowledgeable faculty members who serve as leaders of community-based learning initiatives, state advisory boards, and research development.
As educators, it is our duty to provide a welcoming, accessible, and rigorous learning experience, something at which the School of Education excels. In fact, we were one of the first institutions in Iowa to develop off-campus programs and to offer evening and weekend courses to meet the growing needs of professionals. We are proud these practices continue today.
While we embrace our past, we constantly look to a future of innovation and dedication. Today, we work to develop additional online courses and technology-based learning components. Rather than replace classroom learning, we must consider how to enhance it with these resources.
Most importantly, we prepare our students to become leaders in the classroom and workplace. We provide real-life experiences for practicing professionals. This is made possible, in part, by our location in the Greater Des Moines area, which provides a diverse setting for practicum, internship, and volunteer experiences. The University’s partnerships with community schools, agencies, and businesses benefit both our students and the larger community. It is exciting to see the many opportunities that continue to evolve in this great city.
Our long-held values and innovative tradition, paired with our ability to embrace change and the future, will enable us to continue to provide the top-notch training our students have come to expect and maintain our status as a premiere education institution in the state and region.
Dean Janet McMahill
