Made to Teach 2025
October 24, 2025
8:15 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join us for this special day to explore the world of teaching at the place where teachers are made: the University of Northern Iowa.
For students interested in all levels of teaching, from Pre-K through high school. Transfer students welcome.
Watch for registration information later this summer!
2025 Made to Teach Sample Schedule & Options
What you’ll experience
Made to Teach is more than a visit day. It’s a chance to get a sense of what it means to teach. The faculty you’ll learn from. How you can translate your passion to engage, to share a favorite subject, to teach others. The path you’ll take to achieve your dream of becoming a teacher. And a close-up look at your degree(s) of interest.
Teaching is both a passion and a profession – with lots of options. Explore your possibilities with UNI Teacher Education at Made to Teach.
Make Your Choice
15 workshops.
17 faculty, staff and student presenters.
Our goal? To…
- sample different areas you might want to teach
- get an idea on how to get started and where your journey may go
- meet with faculty in your specific area of interest
Select two workshops and a degree area to explore. Whether you know what you want to teach or are just exploring, take this opportunity and see what answers you’ll find.
Experience UNI
You'll explore more than UNI’s Teacher Education program at this event. Get to know campus and get a glimpse of life at UNI through:
- Campus and dorms tour
- Lunch at one of our dining centers
Staff from Admissions and Financial Aid and Scholarships will also be available for individual appointments to discuss admission requirements, the application process, financial aid and scholarships, and more.
Made to Teach is more than a visit day. It’s a chance to get a sense of what it means to teach. The faculty you’ll learn from. How you can translate your passion to engage, to share a favorite subject, to teach others. The path you’ll take to achieve your dream of becoming a teacher. And a close-up look at your degree(s) of interest.
Teaching is both a passion and a profession – with lots of options. Explore your possibilities with UNI Teacher Education at Made to Teach.
Make Your Choice
15 workshops.
17 faculty, staff and student presenters.
Our goal? To…
- sample different areas you might want to teach
- get an idea on how to get started and where your journey may go
- meet with faculty in your specific area of interest
Select two workshops and a degree area to explore. Whether you know what you want to teach or are just exploring, take this opportunity and see what answers you’ll find.
Experience UNI
You'll explore more than UNI’s Teacher Education program at this event. Get to know campus and get a glimpse of life at UNI through:
- Campus and dorms tour
- Lunch at one of our dining centers
Staff from Admissions and Financial Aid and Scholarships will also be available for individual appointments to discuss admission requirements, the application process, financial aid and scholarships, and more.
- 8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Check-in + Browsing Fair
Maucker Union
- 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.
Teacher Education Welcome/Overview & Admissions - Dean Colleen Mulholland, College of Education, and Jenny Connolly, Director of Advising
- Maucker Union Ballrooms
- 10 - 10:30 a.m.
Workshop #1
Schindler Education Center
- 10:35 - 11:05 a.m.
Workshop #2
Schindler Education Center
- 11:15 a.m. - Noon
- Academic session for program of interest
Location varies by major area
- 12:15 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch at Dining Centers
- 1:00 p.m.+
Optional Activities:- Individual appointments with admissions counselors
- Individual appointments with financial aid counselors
- Campus + dorm tours
Go on! Explore a bit and choose the workshop that works for you!
- Sessions and Descriptions
A Path to Music Education: The Ukulele
Kevin Droe
How do you teach music? Learn basic chords on the ukulele and how to use the ukulele to teach music!Adventures in Teaching
Carrie Elser & Kathy Scholl
Looking to teach out of state or out of the country? Not sure if you want to be in a traditional classroom? Hear what adventures might await you here at UNI!Engaging in Science Phenomena
Larry Escalada
Explore science phenomena and how they can help you introduce science ideas and practices essential for any science classroom--and make learning fun!Exploring Art & Play through Shadow Stories
Wendy Miller & Jeff Byrd
Through use of puppets, we'll explore artistic play to more deeply experience another artist's process that may inspire your own unique future art making and teaching.Financial Aid for Future Teachers
Allie Bredman
Learn about the available financial aid for teaching majors/minors -- and whether a TEACH grant could be for you!Finding the Joy in Teaching with Tinkering: Innovation in Education
Beth VanMeetern
How can soap bubbles let a young child understand air movement? What materials could you use to levitate objects? Join us in investigating–and engineering–how you can use materials in class to get students curious about learning (including STEM) at a young age.Let's Talk! The Advantages of Minoring in Special Education
Terre Hirst & Kris Donnelly
Is special education for you? Learn what coursework and field experience look like, what you can teach with a special education minor, and the benefits – and rewards – of this special focus in teaching.Moments of Mindfulness: Calming Classrooms
Katie Simpson
Learn how to use mindfulness to help self-regulation of emotions, behaviors and thoughts for better well-being in the classroom.Supporting Each Learner
David Hernandez-Saca
Create an educational environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential.Teaching Reading to Young Children
Marissa Schweinfurth
Teaching young children to read is a major task in the early grades--and one of the most fulfilling! Come learn about some of the best practices for teaching reading.Top 10 Things Educational Leaders Look For In Their Teachers
Ken Hayes
What skills do school leaders seek in their classroom teachers? Let's explore!What Language Is That? Incorporating bilingual students' knowledge in the classroom
Aliza Fones
Did you know that more than 170 languages are spoken in Iowa’s schools? At this workshop, learn about the languages spoken in Iowa, and how to teach bilingual students, even if you're not bilingual yourself.
Sample Workshop #2: 10:35 - 11:05 a.m.
Find a workshop that fits your interests -- or explore something new!
- Sessions and Descriptions
A Path to Music Education: Hand Drumming
Kevin Droe
The interactive and engaging nature of hand drumming makes it a valuable asset to enhance learning. Learn practical applications in this session.Adventures in Teaching
Carrie Elser & Kathy Scholl
Looking to teach out of state or out of the country? Not sure if you want to be in a traditional classroom? Hear what adventures might await you here at UNI!Exploring Art & Play through Shadow Stories
Wendy Miller & Jeff Byrd
Through use of puppets, we'll explore artistic play to more deeply experience another artist's process that may inspire your own unique future art making and teaching.Exploring Mathematical Thinking
Brian Townsend
Have you used math today? Math is more than formulas and solutions. Math helps us navigate the world around us. Let's explore how teaching math provides K-12 students a framework for problem solving at any age.Financial Aid for Future Teachers
Allie Bredman
Learn about the available financial aid for teaching majors/minors -- and whether a TEACH grant could be for you!Let's Talk! The Advantages of Minoring in Special Education
Terre Hirst & Kris Donnelly
Is special education for you? Learn what coursework and field experience look like, what you can teach with a special education minor, and the benefits – and rewards – of this special focus in teaching.Moments of Mindfulness: Calming Classrooms
Katie Simpson
Learn how to use mindfulness to help self-regulation of emotions, behaviors and thoughts for better well-being in the classroom.Relatable Reads: Connecting Teens To Literature
Erika Bass
Teaching English in the 21st Century is more than teaching the "classics." In this session, we will explore contemporary Young Adult Literature and how it can relate to the experiences of young people.Supporting Each Learner
David Hernandez-Saca
Create an educational environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential.Teaching AI to Students
Ben Schafer
Get hands on with machine learning, no computer required! Spark students' interest in learning with creative problem solving that introduces AI concepts.Teaching Reading to Young Children
Marissa Schweinfurth
Teaching young children to read is a major task in the early grades--and one of the most fulfilling! Come learn about some of the best practices for teaching reading.Think Like a Social Scientist
Chad Christopher
Learn how to engage students as a social studies and history teacher.Top 10 Things Educational Leaders Look For In Their Teachers
Ken Hayes
What skills do school leaders seek in their classroom teachers? Let's explore!
Here workshops are organized by topic and the level you might teach these subjects. Again, choose what fits for you!
- Workshop #1: 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
- Workshop #2: 10:35 - 11:05 a.m.
- Early Childhood/Elementary Education
A Path to Music Education: The Ukulele!
Kevin Droe
How do you teach music? Learn basic chords on the ukulele and how to use the ukulele to teach music!
Workshop #1A Path to Music Education: Hand Drumming
Kevin Droe
The interactive and engaging nature of hand drumming makes it a valuable asset to enhance learning. Learn practical applications in this session.
Workshop #2Exploring Art & Play through Shadow Stories
Wendy Miller & Jeff Byrd
Through use of shape, color and pattern, we'll explore artistic play to more deeply experience another artist's process that may inspire your own unique future art making and teaching.
Workshop #1 and #2Exploring Mathematical Thinking
Brian Townsend
Have you used math today? Math is more than formulas and solutions. Math helps us navigate the world around us. Let's explore how teaching math provides K-12 students a framework for problem solving at any age.
Workshop #2Finding the Joy in Teaching with Tinkering: Innovation in Education
Beth VanMeeteren
How can soap bubbles let a young child understand air movement? What materials could you use to levitate objects? Join us in investigating–and engineering–how you can use materials in class to get students curious about learning (including STEM) at a young age.
Workshop #1Let's Talk! The Advantages of Minoring in Special Education
Kris Donnelly & Terre Hirst
Is special education in you? Learn what coursework and field experience look like, what you can teach with a special education minor, and the benefits – and rewards – of this special focus in teaching.
Workshop #1 and #2Teaching AI to Students
Ben Schafer
Get hands-on with machine learning, no computer required! Spark students' interest in learning with creative problem solving that introduces AI concepts.
Workshop #2Teaching Reading to Young Children
Marissa Schweinfurth
Teaching young children to read is a major task in the early grades--and one of the most fulfilling! Come learn about some of the best practices for teaching reading.
Workshop #1 and #2- Middle/High School Teaching
A Path to Music Education: The Ukulele!
Kevin Droe
How do you teach music? Learn basic chords on the ukulele and how to use the ukulele to teach music!
Workshop #1A Path to Music Education: Hand Drumming
Kevin Droe
The interactive and engaging nature of hand drumming makes it a valuable asset to enhance learning. Learn practical applications in this session.
Workshop #2Engaging in Science Phenomena
Larry Escalada
Explore science phenomena and how they can help you introduce science ideas and practices essential for any science classroom--and make learning fun!
Workshop #1Exploring Mathematical Thinking
Brian Townsend
Have you used math today? Math is more than formulas and solutions. Math helps us navigate the world around us. Let's explore how teaching math provides K-12 students a framework for problem solving at any age.
Workshop #2Exploring Art & Play through Shadow Stories
Wendy Miller & Jeff Byrd
Through use of shape, color and pattern, we'll explore artistic play to more deeply experience another artist's process that may inspire your own unique future art making and teaching.
Workshop #1 and #2Let's Talk! The Advantages of Minoring in Special Education
Kris Donnelly & Terre Hirst
Is special education in you? Learn what coursework and field experience look like, what you can teach with a special education minor, and the benefits – and rewards – of this special focus in teaching.
Workshop #1 and #2Relatable Reads: Connecting Teens To Literature
Erika Bass
Teaching English in the 21st century is more than teaching the "classics." In this session, we will explore contemporary Young Adult Literature and how it can relate to the experiences of young people.
Workshop #2Teaching AI to Students
Ben Schafer
Get hands-on with machine learning, no computer required! Spark students' interest in learning with creative problem solving that introduces AI concepts.
Workshop #2Think Like a Social Scientist
Chad Christopher
Learn how to engage students as a social studies and history teacher.
Workshop #2- K-12
A Path to Music Education: The Ukulele!
Kevin Droe
How do you teach music? Learn basic chords on the ukulele and how to use the ukulele to teach music!
Workshop #1A Path to Music Education: Hand Drumming
Kevin Droe
The interactive and engaging nature of hand drumming makes it a valuable asset to enhance learning. Learn practical applications in this session.
Workshop #2Engaging in Science Phenomena
Larry Escalada
Explore science phenomena and how they can help you introduce science ideas and practices essential for any science classroom--and make learning fun!
Workshop #1Exploring Art & Play through Shadow Stories
Wendy Miller & Jeff Byrd
Through use of shape, color and pattern, we'll explore artistic play to more deeply experience another artist's process that may inspire your own unique future art making and teaching.
Workshop #1 and #2Exploring Mathematical Thinking
Brian Townsend
Have you used math today? Math is more than formulas and solutions. Math helps us navigate the world around us. Let's explore how teaching math provides K-12 students a framework for problem solving at any age.
Workshop #2Let's Talk! The Advantages of Minoring in Special Education
Kris Donnelly & Terre Hirst
Is special education in you? Learn what coursework and field experience look like, what you can teach with a special education minor, and the benefits – and rewards – of this special focus in teaching.
Workshop #1 and #2Teaching AI to Students
Ben Schafer
Get hands-on with machine learning, no computer required! Spark students' interest in learning with creative problem solving that introduces AI concepts.
Workshop #2- General Interest
Adventures in Teaching
Carrie Elser & Kathy Scholl
How did your teachers engage you? Reflect on your learning experiences and explore the powerful impact you could have on student learning using similar strategies.
Workshop #1 and #2Financial Aid for Future Teachers
Allie Bredman
Learn about the available financial aid for teaching majors/minors -- and whether a TEACH grant could be for you!
Workshop #1 and #2Moments of Mindfulness: Calming Classrooms
Katie Simpson
Learn how to use mindfulness to help self-regulation of emotions, behaviors and thoughts for better well-being in the classroom.
Workshop #1 and #2Supporting Each Learner
David Hernandez-Saca
Create an educational environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential.
Workshop #1 and #2Top 10 Things Educational Leaders Look For in Their Teachers
Kenneth Hayes
What skills do school leaders seek in their classroom teachers? Let's explore!
Workshop #1 and #2What Language Is That? Incorportating Bilingual Students' Knowledge in the Classroom
Aliza Fones
Did you know that more than 170 languages are spoken in Iowa’s schools? At this workshop, learn about the languages spoken in Iowa, and how to teach bilingual students, even if you're not bilingual yourself.
Workshop #1