B.A. Education
Saint Louis University, 2000
M.S. Environmental Science
Washington State University, 2005
M.Ed. Educational Administration & Supervision
Ball State University, 2023
About
Douglas Wassilak is the Director of Teacher Education Programs & Clinical Practice in Valparaiso University’s Department of Education. He provides direction for the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs, ensuring their quality and effectiveness by aligning the University’s curriculum with current national and Indiana Department of Education standards. He advises teacher candidates on program requirements, licensure pathways, and career preparation, oversees the secondary education program, and convenes the Valparaiso Education Advisory Council of local teachers, principals, superintendents, and alumni.
Douglas coordinates student teaching placements and other clinical practice for teacher candidates. He collaborates with University faculty, area superintendents, principals, and cooperating teachers to build mutually beneficial partnerships with P-12 schools. Through University-sponsored Mentor Learning Communities, he works with mentor teachers to give candidates strong clinical practice experiences, and he manages the university supervisors who support Valpo students in their placements.
Douglas leads the department’s state and national accreditation efforts, including its review with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). With data from school partners, alumni, employers, and candidate assessments, he guides program improvement, develops accreditation reports, and maintains quality assurance systems, while monitoring changes in state and national legislation related to educator preparation. As the licensing advisor, he helps Valpo candidates and graduates meet Indiana and out-of-state licensure requirements.
Before coming to Valparaiso University, Douglas taught middle and high school for more than seventeen years in Illinois and Indiana, with a focus on math and science. His professional interests include inquiry-based learning, STEM, and outdoor education. He is a former board member of the Dunes Learning Center.
Teaching
- ED 210: Communication for Engagement, Instruction, and Classroom Management
- ED 290: Science for Elementary Education
Select Publications & Presentations
Bartels, S. L., Boche, B., Wassilak, D., Byers, J., Kelley, E. (2022, March). Building Teacher Leaders while Preparing Future Teachers through a Professional Learning Community. A paper presented at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Annual Meeting.
Bartels, S. L., Boche, B., & Wassilak, D. (2021, April). A critical analysis of a collaborative elementary education program: Striving for integrated teaching. A paper presented at the 2021 American Education Research Association Conference, virtual.
Bartels, S. L., Boche, B., & Wassilak, D. (2021, January). A critical analysis of a collaborative elementary education program: Striving for integrated science teaching. A paper presented at the 2021 Association of Science Teacher Educators Conference, virtual.
