At Belmont's College of Education, your success as an educator is our top priority. We're dedicated to empowering you with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to make a real impact in your community. Our alumni and current students are thriving in diverse roles across the education sector, from classroom teachers to educational leaders.
Alumni Success Stories
"The 4+1 Program was one thing that drew me to Belmont and has set me up for success as a teacher. I am now in my 4th year teaching Kindergarten at an MNPS school, in my 2nd year as Kindergarten team lead, was voted Teacher of the Year at my school this November, and most recently was selected as a district finalist for Teacher of the Year!"
Allison Marlow (Masters of Arts in Teaching, ‘19), Kindergarten Team Lead, Metro Nashville Public Schools
"Belmont gave me many opportunities to network during federal work-study and throughout my time in the College of Education. I made so many connections through practicum student teaching and tutoring, which helped me secure my first job coming out of college before I even graduated."
Chasity Donald (Elementary Education and ESL, ‘23), Kindergarten teacher, Metro Nashville Public Schools
"The friends I made at Belmont have all stuck by me even after I moved 4,000 miles away, and I could not be more grateful. It's definitely a difficult journey, but I think it's worth every second."
Rachel Ault (Secondary Education and English literature, ‘21), Teacher, St. Michael's Catholic School in Aylesbury, UK
"Belmont's College of Education was exceptionally inclusive and flexible with my unique student-athlete schedule! Through in-person classes and independent studies with Dr. Lunsford, Dr. Nelms and Dr. Insana, I was able to maximize my learning experience and form many connections along the way! The connections I made with my professors ultimately led to me finding my current job. Dr. DeLaughter connected me with Battle Ground Academy, where I have been blessed with my dream job. I cannot thank Dr. D enough for introducing me to this wonderful school."
Jacklyn "Jackie" Verseman (Master of Education, Teacher Leadership, ‘23), Asst. Middle School Academic & Library Support, 7th Grade Foundation Math Co-Teacher, Battle Ground Academy, Franklin, TN
"Belmont College of Education prepared me academically and equipped me with the skills necessary to thrive in the professional world of education. The commitment to students is truly extraordinary."
Sheyanne S. Smith (Master of Arts in Teaching, ‘19), High Ability Learning Specialist for the Office of Teaching, Learning & Assessment, Nebraska Department of Education
"Belmont's College of Education was a huge part of setting me up for a successful career in education. I've been working in MNPS for 15 years now in various roles and school settings, and my preparation at Belmont has helped me to navigate each new challenge well. The way I was mentored by my professors at Belmont has helped me to mentor and coach newer teachers in my own career."
Lauren Brinkley (MAT and EL endorsement 2011), SIFE (Students with Interrupted Formal Education) teacher, Eagle View Elementary, MNPS
"Being a part of Belmont's ESL program has helped widen my perspective on the world around me. It gave me strategies to work with and help a large part of Nashville's population. As an elementary ed major with an ESL minor, ESL has not only taught me to think critically and problem solve when working with students, but most importantly how to care for and support students who come from a background different than my own."
Evie Snoeyink (Elementary Education with ESL minor, '24), 5th grade teacher
"I did my homework in choosing the best MAT program for my needs, and having chosen Belmont, I couldn't be happier with my preparation for the classroom. I had excellent professors who were able to share both theory and practice, having been in the classroom themselves. The internship program placed me with classroom teachers for an entire year, allowing me to gain valuable firsthand experience. The opportunity to meet regularly with my fellow interns to practice teaching strategies, discuss our education coursework and compare hands-on classroom experiences allowed for deeper understanding of the modern classroom and the differentiated instruction we will be expected to provide in our own classrooms. I am proud of my experiences at Belmont and know my coursework and internship teaching experience prepared me to step into the demands of today's classroom."
Mary Beth Carroll (Master of Arts (MA), Elementary Education and Teaching, '11), Teacher, Lipscomb Elementary School, Nashville, TN
Faculty Perspectives
"I am not a salesperson, but it's so easy to talk about our College of Education and our University as a whole because of how magnificent the experience is and what we try to do on a day-to-day basis to support our students."
Dr. Annie Insana, Director of Clinical Practice at Belmont University's College of Education
"Look for a program that is transformative in nature and designed to critically examine and interrogate complex educational issues and solutions – one that will elevate your leadership potential, empower your professional practice, grow your professional network, equip you to leverage research methods, develop your scholarship and change you through the process."
Dr. Jesse Wood, Director of Belmont University's Ph.D. program in Strategic Leadership in Education (SLE)
"It's very feasible for a student to come in and decide to be dually degreed. The science of reading has really been the cornerstone of special ed instruction. But this initiative is about making sure that it's there for our teacher candidates."
Dr. Lauren Lunsford, Professor specializing in special education in Belmont's College of Education