“The Addams Family,” “Almost, Maine,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” are some of the most staged high school theatrical productions in the United States. And Linfield University is helping these shows – and many more – go on with a new teacher preparation program focusing on secondary drama.
With its recent approval from the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission, Linfield becomes the first university in the state to offer this endorsement at the undergraduate level.
“This program was created as the direct result of a request from current theatre majors at Linfield who are interested in becoming teachers,” said Carrie Kondor, director of teacher education and chair of the Department of Education. “Their initiative resulted in new programming, and we are proud to be a teacher preparation program that is responsive to student interests and community needs.”
This new endorsement joins ten others offered by Linfield for undergraduates who want to become teachers at the middle or high school level. Students interested in teaching secondary drama would earn a double major in theatre and secondary education with licensure.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an anticipated 4% increase in job openings for high school teachers from 2019-2029. In Oregon, there are approximately 100 active middle and high school troupes registered with Oregon Thespians, the statewide chapter of the International Thespian Society.
“Local high school drama teachers are already meeting with our department to collaborate on how we can best serve graduating high school students who are interested in becoming drama teachers,” Kondor said. “Years of research show that art education is closely linked to academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement and equitable opportunity. We are thrilled to be a part of furthering arts education and nurturing ways in which art connects students with their own culture and identities and provides a medium for deeper understanding of others.”
Those interested in learning more about the secondary drama teacher preparation program should contact Linfield’s Department of Education at 503-883-2646 or education@linfield.edu.
