Teacher Education Degree Programs
Join the profession that helps children realize their potential!
Join the profession that helps children realize their potential!
At Madonna University, we believe teaching is more than a profession—it’s a calling to ignite curiosity, foster growth, and empower the next generation. Our Teacher Education Program is designed for passionate individuals ready to make a meaningful difference in classrooms, communities, and beyond.
Rooted in a commitment to excellence, our program blends rigorous academic preparation with hands-on, real-world experience. Whether you envision yourself leading a vibrant elementary classroom, guiding adolescents through pivotal learning moments, or specializing in critical areas like special education or STEM, we equip you with the tools to thrive in any educational setting.
Our faculty—experienced educators and mentors—are dedicated to nurturing your unique strengths while challenging you to think creatively, act compassionately, and adapt to the evolving needs of today’s learners. Through immersive field placements, partnerships with local and national schools, and a curriculum built on innovation and inclusivity, you’ll graduate ready to meet students where they are and elevate their potential.
Join a community of future educators who share your dedication to equity, service, and lifelong learning. At Madonna, we don’t just prepare teachers—we cultivate leaders who transform lives, one lesson at a time.
Madonna University's College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This accreditation is supported by publicly available data demonstrating the effectiveness of their programs and the success of their graduates.
Vacancies: Michigan has experienced a high number of unfilled teaching positions and a significant number of teacher vacancies.
Subject Areas and Regions Affected: STEM, Special Education, and other specialized fields face a particular shortage of teachers. Districts, especially in rural and underserved areas, often struggle to attract and retain qualified teachers.
State and District Responses: The state and local districts in Michigan have been working to implement various strategies to recruit new teachers, including offering signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness, and other incentives. Efforts are being made to improve working conditions, provide increased professional development opportunities, and offer support to help retain existing teachers.
Progress Towards Returning to Pre-Pandemic School Staffing Levels: According to the USED report, for the period of May 2019 - May 2022, Michigan's job recovery in education was the second highest in the nation. Michigan experienced a one-half pecent increase, one of only three states nationally to have a small increase in education staffing during this period.
Improving Teacher Compensation: Michigan's Fiscal Year 2023-24 state School Aid budget signed by Governor Whitmer included a record $9,608 per pupil foundation allowance, with big increases for economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English learners, as well as $63.8 million for the upcoming school year for local school districts to use to directly increase educator compensations.
MI Future Educator Fellowship: The MI Future Educator Fellowship offers a $10,000 scholarship to up to 2,500 future educators every year who are admitted and enrolled in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approved by the Michigan Department of Education.
Invested in local Michigan school districts to directly increase educator compensation
Madonna University’s Teachers College played a foundational role in shaping me into the educator I am today. From the very beginning, I felt supported and challenged in the best possible ways. The program helped me grow not only academically but also personally and professionally. One of the most valuable aspects of my time at Madonna was the strong connections I formed with my professors. Every instructor I had went above and beyond to create engaging, meaningful lessons that modeled the kind of teaching they wanted us to bring into our own classrooms. They were more than just educators — they were mentors who genuinely cared about our growth.
Another highlight of my experience at Madonna was the wide variety of practicum opportunities we were given. I had the chance to work in several different classrooms ranging from first grade to middle school, and each one offered something new and meaningful. These experiences gave me a solid understanding of different age groups and teaching strategies. But by far, the most impactful part of my journey was my student teaching experience. I was incredibly fortunate to be placed with a cooperating teacher who was nothing short of incredible. Her classroom was a model of warmth, structure, and creativity. She quickly became one of my greatest role models, and I feel so lucky Madonna gave me the opportunity to work with someone so inspiring.
My student teaching experience was also made even more meaningful by the support of my university supervisor, who gave thoughtful feedback and constant encouragement. Between my cooperating teacher and university supervisor, I had a team that believed in me and helped me gain the confidence to lead a classroom of my own. Madonna gave me the hands-on experience and practical tools I needed to step into the classroom with confidence. From lesson planning to classroom management, I felt equipped to handle the challenges of teaching. I graduated feeling fully prepared, supported, and inspired to be the kind of teacher I always dreamed of becoming.
"The thing I found the most valuable from my education program was the several chances to go into classrooms to observe and practice teaching lessons prior to my student teaching. I feel like these opportunities gave me a chance to see how different teachers teach, and help me build confidence.
The biggest thing that helped prepare me for my future career was the student teaching experience! All the classes helped prepare me for the paperwork and planning side of teaching, but I gained so much valuable teaching experience during the student teaching program. Getting to practice teaching and the many responsibilities that go along with it was an incredibly rewarding experience.
Student teaching was the biggest highlight for me. It was incredibly rewarding to see students grow and learn. Seeing students have an “Aha!” moment where everything clicked together was one of my favorite moments of my college experience at Madonna."
B.S. University of Michigan – Flint
M.S. Oakland University
Ed.S. Oakland University
Ph.D. Oakland University
734-432-5785, 2230D
Dr. Sue Ann Sharma is the Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Madonna University. Previously she served as the Graduate Education Chair for the Education Division of the College of Education and Human Development. Her career in higher education was preceded by extensive leadership experience in education at school and central office levels. Additionally, she has state-level leadership as the President of Michigan Reading Association.
Passionate about educational excellence, Dr. Sharma is dedicated to preparing teachers to address the diverse needs of learners. Her commitment extends to developing instructional literacy leaders, contributing to the future of education. As an advocate for literacy, she has actively served on the International Reading Association's Literacy Reform Task Force and Michigan Reading Association Board of Directors.
Sharma's academic pursuits focus on early childhood education, culturally responsive pedagogies, digital curation, and online teaching and learning. Through her research, she aims to advance knowledge in these critical areas, contributing to the ongoing evolution of effective educational practices. A respected figure in academia, Dr. Sue Ann Sharma continues to inspire and shape the educational landscape, leaving an indelible mark through her leadership, research, and commitment to fostering excellence in teaching and learning.
Assistant Professor
B.S. Northern Michigan University
M.A. Eastern Michigan University
Ed. S. Wayne State University
Ph.D. Eastern Michigan University
734-432-5334, Room 2230F
Dr. Les Sharon is the Director of Student Teaching and of the Masters of Science in Transformational EducationalLeadership and the Director of Student Teaching. His professional background includesthirty-three years in K-12 education as a special education teacher, general education teacher,Reading Recovery teacher, and building principal. His work focuses on the formal preparation offuture educational leaders that will someday transform struggling schools into effective,high-achieving learning communities that meet the needs of all students. He received his Ph.Din Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University and holds endorsements inelementary and secondary administration, general education (K-8 all-subjects), and specialeducation including cognitively impaired and learning disabilities.
Dr. Sharon’s research interests include examining the role status functions play in schoolorganizations as they relate to curriculum enactment as well as role of language in effectiveschool leadership. He works closely with the Beijing Comparative Educational Institute and withcolleagues at the Xi’an University to provide educational opportunities for school leaders andteachers all over China. Dr. Sharon served as an adjunct professor before joining MadonnaUniversity full-time as an assistant professor.
Assistant Professor
B.S. Central Michigan University
M.A. University of St. Joseph
Ed.S. Oakland University
Ed.D. Michigan State University
734-432-5651, 2230H
Anne-Marie Sladewski is the Program Director for the ASD, LD, EdS, and EdD programs and is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education. She joined the full-time faculty of Madonna University in 2023. She received her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. Experienced professor and school-based and central office administrator with a demonstrated history of success and leadership in higher education. Her research interest includes collective responsibility of educational partnerships and improved learner outcomes.
B.S. Wayne State University
M.A. Wayne State University
Ph.D. Wayne State University
734-432-5648
Karen L. Obsniuk, Ph.D., is an Education Consultant in the Education Division of the College of Education and Human Development. She joined the faculty of Madonna University in 1996. Previously, she was the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development. Before that she was adjunct faculty, while working in K-12 schools as a teacher and school administrator. She completed her doctoral degree in Administration and Supervision, with a cognate in curriculum, and her M.A. in English Literature, at Wayne State University. She teaches in the areas of educational practice and action research.
Her interests include educational change, K-12 student behavior, literacy intervention with at-risk students, and quality of work life issues for teachers. Her research has been mixed methods research primarily with pre-service and in-service teachers, school administrators, and EL learners. She is actively engaged in the field of education through her work at the State and local levels, serving on State committees and a local board.
