Beth Moore, Ph.D., associate professor of education, believes it’s important to make learning meaningful and engaging. Her third-grade teacher was a role model for doing this – making the transition from teacher-directed instruction and using workbooks to more independent work easy – and greatly influenced Moore as a student, person and teacher.
Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University, master’s degree in elementary education from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and a gifted and talented endorsement from Purdue University. She also earned a doctorate in educational leadership with a minor in curriculum and instruction from Indiana University, which Moore considers one of her greatest professional achievements.
“My desire to make a difference in children’s lives stems from being the type of person who is able to change lives through teaching and role modeling,” Moore said. “I try to make topics/lessons engaging and meaningful; a teacher needs to know his/her students in order to make learning meaningful. Making learning meaningful can take on many dimensions: hands-on, research, group work, individualized instruction, etc. I also want my students to feel comfortable talking to and/or confiding in me in and out of the classroom.”
Moore made a difference in children’s lives directly by teaching at Clark Elementary School for 25 years, but now she continues to make a difference indirectly through the Franklin College students in field experiences and after graduation in their own classrooms.
Since 2004, Moore has taught math methods, social studies methods, intro to education, educational psychology, fine arts, two special education courses and professional development seminar at Franklin College. She also supervises students in field placements and serves as the faculty adviser for College Mentors for Kids and Pi Lambda Theta, the education honor society.
“Several of our education program graduates have become community leaders working with children and families through a variety of organizations,” Moore said. “Other graduates have become college professors, earned advanced degrees and assumed roles in school administration. Job placement is in the upper 90 percent, which I feel is attributed to the program’s outstanding reputation and the number of hours students spend in the field classrooms – more than 1,000.”
To maintain the program’s reputation, Moore said the Education Department has several goals: stay up-to-date with current legislation, standards and policies pertaining to education at the national and state levels; integrate current technology used in area schools into education courses; make learning meaningful and engaging; and help develop competent, caring decision-makers in Franklin College students.
Moore has presented at various conferences and workshops and is actively involved in professional associations and volunteer organizations. Particularly great achievements for Moore include serving on the executive board for the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, serving as a Franklin College promotion and tenure committee chair, and formerly being the college’s Education Department chair.
“The field of education is ever-changing and inspiring,” Moore said. “My excitement for teaching at Franklin College is driven by my desire to make learning meaningful and my enthusiasm to make a difference in students’ lives.”
Moore is available to discuss the Education Department and what a Franklin College liberal arts degree as an education major can do for you. Schedule a visit by contacting the Office of Admissions at (800) 852-0232.
Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential, liberal arts institution with a scenic, wooded campus, spanning 207 acres, including athletic fields and a 31-acre biology woodland. Students enjoy the comfort and safety of suburban living, while also experiencing the many opportunities Indianapolis has to offer with a short 20-minute drive to downtown. The college prepares students to think independently, to lead responsibly and to serve with integrity in their professions, their communities and the world. The college offers its more than 1,000 students Bachelor of Arts degrees in 51 majors from 25 academic disciplines, 42 minors, 11 pre-professional programs and five cooperative programs. In 1842, the college began admitting women, becoming the first coeducational institution in Indiana and the seventh in the nation. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA. For more information, visit www.FranklinCollege.edu. Find Franklin College on Facebook and follow @FranklinCollege on Twitter.
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