Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Education



Since 1992, the Thiel College education program has emphasized early exposure to all the facets of classroom instruction. As in the past, secondary teacher candidates are required to major in one of Thiel's liberal arts disciplines. Effective Fall 2001, elementary education students have been matriculating in the B.A. in Elementary Education. Students who qualify academically can begin taking theoretical foundations classes in Phase I during their freshman year. Each teacher candidate will also work with an elementary or secondary classroom teacher from one of the local school districts as part of the Mentoring experience.

Throughout the teacher education program, teacher candidates will observe teachers in local schools and discuss local practices that support theories taught in on-campus classes.

Thiel Education courses are divided into three phases: Phase I, Theoretical Foundations; Phase II, Content Methodology; and Phase III, The Professional Semester. The Theoretical Foundations courses must be completed by both elementary and secondary certification candidates. Phase II Content Methodology courses are divided into those for elementary certification candidates and those for secondary certification candidates.

Secondary Education students should consult with their major advisors to be sure they are meeting department major requirements needed for secondary teacher certification.

Having completed all Phase I and Phase II course work and having met all department prerequisites, including the required grade-point average and qualifying scores on the required PRAXIS tests, the student is then eligible for Phase III, the Professional Semester, in which the teacher candidate student teaches under the guidance of a local cooperating teacher.

Once the teacher candidate completes the Professional Semester, passes the required PRAXIS tests administered by the Educational Testing Service, and meets all graduation requirements; the Education Department will apply for an Instructional I Teaching Certificate which will be issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Douglas R. Hazlett, Ph.D.   Department Chair and Associate Professor Dr. Hazlett is currently an Associate Professor at Thiel College and serves as Department Chair effective with the 2008-09 academic year. Dr. Hazlett is also an adjunct professor in the graduate program at Gannon University in Erie, Pa. Dr. Hazlett received his Ph.D. from Kent State University and M.Ed. and B.M. degrees from Westminster College. He is a former assistant high school principal, middle school principal, curriculum director and assistant superintendent. He has received recognition as a PDE Distinguished Educator and recipient of PASCD’s 2001 Supervision and Curriculum Development Award. Dr. Hazlett has presented at the National Staff Development Conference, Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development State Conference and the Pennsylvania State Title I Conference. He successfully completed training as a facilitator for the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Grow and Support training. Dr. Hazlett is a published author and serves as a manuscript reviewer for Pennsylvania Educational Leadership.  Contact Information: dhazlett@thiel.edu

Connie Reinhart, M.Ed.   Director of Teacher Education Professor Connie Reinhart is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Teacher Education at Thiel College. Professor Reinhart received her M.Ed. and B.S.  degrees from Edinboro University and Public School Administration Certification from the University of Alaska. Professor Reinhart is a former elementary school classroom teacher, Demonstration teacher, teacher of gifted students, teacher trainer, assistant principal and principal. She has been an educator in the states of Florida, Pennsylvania and Alaska. Professor Reinhart has extensive training in meeting the needs of gifted children, ESL and multiculturalism. She has presented at state and national education conferences. Professor Reinhart has been published in educational magazines and was highlighted as an outstanding educator in a television documentary produced by British Petroleum.   Contact Information: creinhart@thiel.edu

Toni Mild, M.Ed.   Lecturer of Education Professor Mild is currently a Lecturer at Thiel College. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 1995. She received her Master’s Degree in Education and Special Education Supervisor Certificate from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2000. Professor Mild is a former Middle School Title I Teacher, Emotional Support Teacher, Learning Support Teacher and Special Education Supervisor for Districts in both Mercer and Lawrence Counties.  Contact Information: tmild@thiel.edu

Patricia Mitcham, M.Ed.,   Adjunct in Education Professor Patricia Mitcham is currently an Adjunct Professor at Thiel College. Professor Mitcham earned a BA in English with Secondary English Certification from Thiel College and a Masters in Ed. Secondary English from Edinboro University. She has completed several graduate classes at the University of Pittsburgh, Lock Haven University and Cheyney University. After completing extensive study of composition, Professor Mitcham became a Fellow with the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project through the University of Pittsburgh. For over thirty-five years Professor Mitcham taught high school English and advised the yearbook for fifteen years in the Valley Grove Schools and Mohawk Area School District. She was an adjunct professor in the University of Pittsburgh’s College in High School program. At Thiel, Professor Mitcham has taught Oral and Written Composition I and II as well as methods courses and has supervised student teachers.  Contact Information: pmitcham@thiel.edu

Mary Reames, M.Ed.   Lecturer of Education Professor Reames is currently a Lecturer at Thiel College and adjunct professor at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. Professor Reames received her B.A. as well as her M.Ed. from Westminster College. She is a former elementary teacher, reading specialist, elementary principal and curriculum coordinator. She was a finalist for Principal of the Year in the state of PA in 1999. Along with Professor Shaffer, Professor Reames was a member of a national consortium sponsored by the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development for thinking skills. As a part of this consortium, Professor Reames and Professor Shaffer worked with many of the leading educational researchers in the United States. Contact Information: mreames@thiel.edu

David Shaffer, M.Ed.   Lecturer of Education Professor Shaffer is currently a Lecturer at Thiel College and adjunct professor at Grove City College, Grove City, Pa. Professor Shaffer has earned Master's Degrees in Secondary Education and School Administration from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and Westminster College, respectively. Professor Shaffer is a former teacher, assistant high school principal, high school principal and superintendent of schools. Currently, he and Professor Reames serve as educational consultants and provide training for teachers and administrators for several school districts. Professor Shaffer and Professor Reames have extensive experience with the research on effective schools and the teaching and learning process.  Contact Information: dshaffer@thiel.edu

Angela Virostick, M.A.,   Adjunct in Education Professor Angela Virostick is currently an Adjunct Professor and a Supervisor of Student Teachers at Thiel College. Professor Virostick received her B.S. Degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and her M.A. from Marygrove College in Detroit, Mich. She is a former elementary teacher, math supervisor, instructional associate and staff developer for the Sharon City School District of which she was employed for thirty-five years. As an instructional associate she received training in Reading and Writing Workshop from Columbia University Teachers College. She also received training as a Conceptual Mathematics Coach and studied District Design and Research from The Institute for Learning at the University of Pittsburgh. Professor Virostick is an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honor society of women educators.  Contact Information: avirostick@thiel.edu