Drake University All In 2022

In the Drake’s School of Education (SOE), we are transforming every day to achieve our mission to prepare, support, and inspire our students to lead and serve in a constantly changing world. 

More than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students are experiencing the transformation impact of a degree from the School of Education. For the second year in a row, 100% of our alumni were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Also, for the second year in a row, a Drake School of Education graduate was named the Iowa Superintendent of the Year. 

Our transformational impact is notable through the efforts of our faculty. Faculty, conducting transformational research with students that will help schools address challenges caused by the global pandemic. Faculty, creating transformational learning experiences by taking students abroad to places like Panama and Spain for January-term courses engaging in experiential learning. Faculty, expanding innovative programs that are rooted in local partnerships like the launch of the seventh and largest cohort of 81 Des Moines Public School teachers, who are earning their master’s degree in Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction.

Our transformational support doesn’t end with graduation. The Drake Continual Improvement Network and individual coaching for our education leadership graduates supports them as they take on new roles as school and district leaders. We recognize the challenges that the field of education is facing. We know we’re on the precipice of a teacher shortage crisis. We also know that our efforts to transform every day make the Drake School of Education a leader in confronting this issue. 

In the month of February, we welcomed more than 30 high school students from diverse backgrounds who are considering a career in education. We also hosted 150 teachers from across Iowa to the Emerging Educators Conference, which is designed to support teachers new to the profession. Events like these develop a pipeline of strong current and future educators. 

The All In Giving Challenge is critical to each one of these efforts. Your gifts will empower us to transform every day and provide for the NOW that will build the better FUTURE for us all. Thank you for your support!