Department of Education

Degrees Offered

Sandra McLendon, EdD, Chair

Micheal Hylen, Ph.D, Department Coordinator and EdD Program Coordinator

Vision of the School of Education and Music Studies

In keeping with the vision of Southern Wesleyan University, the School of Education and Music Studies seeks to produce educators who have instilled principles related to faith, living, learning, and professionalism in order to significantly and positively affect student achievement.

Mission of the School of Education and Music Studies

The mission of the School of Education and Music Studies is to prepare men and women to become Christian educators by fostering scholarship and a Christian ethic of care in the image and nature of Jesus so as to produce teachers who are leaders and world changers within the education profession.

The mission statement of Southern Wesleyan University refers to preparing students “by educating them with excellence, by equipping them for service, by fostering spiritual growth and maturity, and by mobilizing them as leaders and world changers. In accord with the mission statements and its basic tenets, the School of Education and Music Studies has adopted as the theme statement, “Educators who demonstrate scholarship within a Christian ethic of care.”

Accordingly, courses in the School of Education and Music Studies seek to integrate the following dispositions:

The teacher candidate demonstrates an ethic of care towards self by exhibiting a biblical approach to life that is demonstrated by a passion for learning.
The teacher candidate demonstrates an ethic of care towards learners by displaying an enthusiasm about teaching as demonstrated by compassionate and respectful interactions with learners.
The teacher candidate demonstrates an ethic of care towards colleagues by engaging in collaborative work practices as demonstrated by compassionate and respectful interactions with colleagues.
The teacher candidate demonstrates an ethic of care towards the community by recognizing the community as an integral part of the learning process as demonstrated by valuing its pluralist nature.

Purpose of the Teacher Education Program

In keeping with the ultimate mission of the University to integrate faith, learning, and living, the School of Education and Music Studies seeks to instill principles related to faith, living, learning, and professionalism within those pursuing an education degree with the intention of obtaining teacher certification and becoming a classroom instructor who impacts the learning of PK-12 learners.

Goals of the Teacher Education Program

The goals of the School of Education and Music Studies are based on the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) Principles:

Standard #1: Learner Development

The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

Standard #2: Learning Differences

The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

Standard #3: Learning Environments

The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

Standard #4: Content Knowledge

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

Standard #5: Application of Content

The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Standard #6: Assessment

The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction

The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Standard #8: Instructional Strategies

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice

The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration

The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Principle #11: The teacher demonstrates dispositions that promote scholarship within a Christian ethic of care. (not INTASC)

All teacher candidates should see the School of Education Teacher Candidate Handbook for specific goals and objectives for individual education programs.

Programs

Master

Doctorate

Microcredential