Teaching and Curriculum Studies

Find Your Path

We have programs for wherever you are in your teaching career, whether you're just starting out or are an experienced educator

Start your teaching career

Become a Teacher

Take your teaching to the next level

Advanced programs for educators

Add education to your undergraduate degree

Minor in education

Collaborative Programs

Preparing future faculty

Offered through the School of Graduate Studies, this online certificate program prepares graduate students from all disciplines to teach at colleges or universities.

College teaching certificate

Bachelor's degree in music education

Through the UMKC Conservatory, you can earn a bachelor's degree in music education that prepares you to teach and perform. You’ll also gain extensive experience through fieldwork at local schools.

Music education

Ph.D. in Education: Music Education Emphasis

Developed for those who want to become college professors, conductors or music directors in K-12 schools, this program helps students refine their teaching goals, philosophies and methods to become effective educators and leaders.

Ph.D. in Education: Music Education

Minor in exercise science

In collaboration with the School of Nursing and Health Studies, students learn how exercise and the human body intersect and to implement and evaluate evidence-based health assessments.

Exercise science minor

I’m inspired to become a teacher that students can relate to and connect deeply with. Even if I can’t change the teaching world, I can change the lives of individual children.
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Genesis Ventura Amaro

BSBA '09

Education Major Selected Among Best in Missouri

Meet Our Team

Our department faculty and staff are passionate educators and professionals who take the time to get to know each student and their goals. Learn more about the people who are shaping the future by ensuring that those who answer the call to teach become skilled, effective educators.

Teresa Dilley Associate Teaching Professor, Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations Phone: 816-235-2753 Email: dilleyty@umkc.edu

Connie Fischer Office Support Assistant IV Phone: 816-235-2245 Email: fischerci@umkc.edu

Hyeyoung Ghim Assistant Professor Phone: 816-235-1041 Email: hghim@umkc.edu

Sara R. Helfrich Dean Phone: 816-235-2490 Email: helfrich@umkc.edu

Jenee Johnson Assistant Professor Email: jeneejohnson@umkc.edu

Cassandra Kinder Assistant Professor Phone: 816-235-2482 Email: c.kinder@umkc.edu

Louis Odom Chair and Professor Phone: 816-235-2468 Email: alodom@umkc.edu

Gina Paese-Margiela Director of Teacher Education
Assistant Teaching Professor
Phone: 816-235-6681 Email: paeseg@umkc.edu

Nora Peterman Associate Professor Phone: 816-235-2493 Email: petermanno@umkc.edu

Candace Schlein Professor and Director of the Preparing Future Faculty Program Phone: 816-235-5754 Email: schleinc@umkc.edu

Ekaterina (Katya) Strekalova-Hughes Associate Professor Phone: 816-235-2520 Email: strekalovahughese@umkc.edu

Omiunota Ukpokodu Professor Phone: 816-235-2469 Email: ukpokoduo@umkc.edu

Jennifer Waddell IUE Director, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation/Missouri Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurial Education Phone: 816-235-2443 Email: waddellj@umkc.edu

Michael Wei Professor Phone: 816-235-2498 Email: weiyou@umkc.edu