Major of the Month: Teaching & Education at Carroll

Teachers do more than deliver lessons. They inspire confidence, spark curiosity, and help shape the future. Whether working with young children, K–12 students, adult learners, or community organizations, educators make a lasting impact on the lives of others every day.

Carroll Community College’s Teaching & Education degree programs help students build the knowledge, communication skills, and practical experience needed to support learners in a variety of settings, turning their passion for helping others into a meaningful career that makes a difference every day.

My favorite thing about the Education program at Carroll is the hands-on experience you get… This experience can help you imagine yourself as a future educator and visualize the roles you will have to play as a teacher.

Skills for Today’s Classrooms & Communities

Today’s educators need more than subject-area knowledge. Employers are looking for professionals who can communicate effectively, adapt to different learning styles, solve problems creatively, and help learners succeed.

Carroll’s Teaching & Education degree programs help students develop skills such as:

• Communication & public speaking
• Leadership, collaboration, and mentoring
• Critical thinking & problem-solving
• Instructional planning & classroom engagement
• Research, organization, and program development

These abilities support careers not only in schools, but also in business, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community programs.

Explore Teaching & Education Pathways at Carroll

Carroll’s Teaching & Education degree programs combine supportive instruction, transfer-focused coursework, and hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for both continued study and professional growth.

Programs include:

• Teacher Education, A.A.: Provides the first two years of study for students planning to enter secondary education or pre-K–12 specialty teaching fields, while supporting seamless transfer into Bachelor’s programs in education.
• Early Childhood Education, A.A.S.: Focuses on child development, classroom management, and early learning environments, preparing students for careers working with young children in educational and childcare settings.
• Elementary Education / Elementary Special Education, A.A.T.: Designed for students planning to transfer into Bachelor’s programs in elementary or special education, with coursework emphasizing teaching methods, child development, and classroom instruction.
• Early Childhood Education / Early Childhood Special Education, A.A.T.: Prepares students to transfer into teacher certification programs focused on early childhood and special education, with an emphasis on inclusive learning and child-centered instruction.

All of Carroll’s Teaching & Education pathways offer hands-on learning opportunities—including classroom observations, service-learning, and internships in educational settings—that help connect coursework to real-world experience.

“My favorite thing about the Education program at Carroll is the hands-on experience you get,” said Carroll student Melissa James, pursuing an Associate of Arts degree in Teacher Education. “Being in a real classroom with an actual teacher is such a great learning opportunity. Most importantly, this experience can help you imagine yourself as a future educator and visualize the roles you will have to play as a teacher.”

Where an Education Degree Can Take You

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, teaching and training occupations continue to provide strong opportunities across K–12 schools and instructional support fields.

Possible career pathways include:

These pathways reflect the versatility of education-focused skills, allowing graduates to pursue careers centered on communication, leadership, mentorship, and lifelong learning.

Partnerships That Support Student Success

Carroll’s Teaching & Education degree program students benefit from connections to organizations throughout the region that support education, youth development, workforce training, and community learning.

Potential employers include:

These local connections help students gain practical experience and better understand how education and training support communities in meaningful ways.

Making an Impact Through Teaching

Teaching is about more than classrooms and lesson plans. It’s about helping people grow, discover confidence, and reach their potential.

“After [my students] graduated, I ran into some out in the community and the first thing they did was walk up to give me a hug and say thank you,” said Carroll alumna Jessica Lewis, now in her 13th year teaching English at Liberty High School. “As my career continued, I began getting emails from students in their first year of college saying they were grateful for their time in my class because it prepared them for the workload of college.”

Whether you want to teach young learners, support adult students, develop training programs, or help strengthen your community, Carroll’s Teaching & Education degree programs provide a strong foundation for a rewarding future. 

If you’re ready to turn your passion for helping people into a career encouraging others to grow and succeed, Carroll’s Teaching & Education degree programs can help you take the next step.