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Transformative Education - Story

Nurturing educational leaders

Three students sit at table completing worksheet together, writing and discussing ideas during classroom or museum education session program.

Loyola University Chicago's School of Education prepares the next generation of educational leaders—committed classroom teachers, enterprising administrators, and visionary agents of change.

At Loyola, aspiring teachers and educational leaders receive a transformative education rooted in evidence-based practice and the Jesuit value of service to humanity. The School of Education carefully curates every course, every experiential learning opportunity to stir personal and professional development, to add skills and approaches to students’ quiver, and to amplify the impact of teaching and learning. This intentionality positions Loyola-trained educators to be persons for others and proficient leaders invested in student growth and high-impact learning environments.

"Education in the 21st century is extremely important because the nature of the challenges and problems that we deal with are multi-dimensional.” Ali Kushki, EdD ’22

Chicago as a classroom: Cultural Institutions in Teacher Education (CITE)

Through the School of Education’s Cultural Institutions in Teacher Education (CITE) partnership, Loyola provides its teacher candidates lively experiential learning opportunities stretching their ideas of where, when, and how learning can take place. CITE includes partnerships with nine prominent Chicago cultural institutions.

In visits to these sites, during outreach activities, and through conversations with cultural institution staff, teacher candidates discover pedagogical philosophies and approaches sharpened outside the traditional classroom environment. It is an invitation to observe different instructional practices, which ignites experimentation, reflection, and innovation. Through these partnerships, Loyola students begin to see how hands-on experiences strengthen understanding, how collaboration heightens teaching and learning, and how community assets, including cultural institutions and their educational resources, can enhance the student experience.

The CITE partnership encourages Loyola students to more fully immerse themselves in their education, a global city, and diverse settings, which compels curiosity, expands their knowledge base, and intensifies their commitment to being thoughtful and creative educational leaders.

"It's not always the people that are in roles within schools or with formal roles as educator or professor who can be the most powerful educators.” Lara Smetana, Professor, School of Education

CITE Partners

Adler Planetarium

The nation’s first planetarium is an enthusiastic resource for inspiring the next generation of space explorers with its dynamic mix of interactive exhibits, youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, and other outreach endeavors.

Presenter stands before seated audience, gesturing while holding paper during talk beneath large framed photograph in gallery exhibition space.

Art Institute of Chicago

Featuring a collection of approximately 300,000 artworks and artifacts spanning different mediums, cultures, and historical periods, the Art Institute is one of the globe’s foremost art museums. It regularly hosts gallery tours, special performances, and youth events to facilitate cultural and historical understanding.

Chicago Children's Museum

Located at Navy Pier, the Chicago Children’s Museum invites children to create, explore, and discover through play. The museum features vibrant exhibits and activities providing sensory experiences and engaging educational content focused on literacy, science, math, the arts, and health.

Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum cares for, showcases, and interprets millions of authentic pieces of Chicago and U.S. history. With interactive exhibits and an energetic look at key elements of Chicago history, the museum helps Chicago area youth connect the past to the present and gain a richer understanding of their city.

Field Museum

From massive dinosaur skeletons and rare jewels to Egyptian tombs and ancient Chinese artifacts, the Field Museum provides a mesmerizing environment to learn about natural history and cultures. It runs hands-on labs and youth programming to spur curiosity about science and interest in STEM fields.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

One of the world’s largest science museums, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) awe-inspiring exhibitions bring science to life. Whether students step inside a real U-505 German U-boat or experience a massive tornado in Science Storms, Griffin MSI generates wonder and fascination for science.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is a recognized national leader in conservation, animal welfare, learning, and science. From its animals and gardens to its collaborative youth programming, the zoo propels discovery about nature and brings a wildlife experience to the heart of Chicago.

Visitor with glasses leans close to taxidermy squirrel on table, examining small mammal specimen inside natural history museum exhibit.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Through education, research, exhibits, and public forums, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum fosters a positive relationship between people and nature. Its work includes K–12 science education programs, on-site workshops, teaching training, and curriculum support.

Group of visitors look up at sharks and schooling fish swimming overhead inside large aquarium viewing tunnel room space.

Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd is a renowned leader in the area of animal care, conservation research, and learning. Through lively exhibits and dedicated youth programming focused on conservation and science, the aquarium champions compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world.