Department of Education - Mission

Department of Education - Mission

Mission and Purpose of The Teacher Education Program

For over 110 years, the Department of Education has prepared teachers as human developers who love to teach. The Department nurtures future teachers through a formation process to become exemplary teachers in the region, state, and nation.

Graduates of the program must firmly believe that all public school students can learn. This program requires candidates to demonstrate that (1) They are focused on public school student achievement and success. (2) They are role models for public school students. (3) They have the potential to be a member of the teaching profession. Candidates must demonstrate these three dispositions throughout the program that requires the completion of a rigorous academic content specialization, combined with a complementary sequence of related general education courses, and a professional sequence of education courses that contain 800 clock hours of field placements and student teaching.

The following student outcomes provide the bases for the preparation program.

  1. Demonstrate teacher as role model to public school students and peers throughout academic preparation by producing accurate oral and written communications and exhibiting responsible behaviors in matters of attendance, deadlines, punctuality, and ethical behavior.
     
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of human growth and development, learning theories, and current trends in their respective content specializations by planning, teaching, and assessing lessons that are factually accurate, address national and state standards, and are developmentally appropriate for the students they teach.
     
  3. Exhibit knowledge and skills for understanding diverse student populations, promoting social justice, and accommodating different learning styles by planning, teaching, and assessing lessons that include modifications to address these issues. Bachelor’s Degrees Education 157
     
  4. Exhibit knowledge of and abilities to create responsible and effective learning communities by developing management frameworks that include criteria with specific attention to respect for all students, appreciation of the diverse abilities and talents of all its members, and awareness of the need for communication within the school and its community.
     
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of multiple assessments to measure and diagnose student learning and teacher effectiveness within the framework of national and state standards by creating teacher-made formal and informal assessments and interpreting student performance data obtained from national, state and other assessment sources.
     
  6. Exhibit the role of education technology, parental, community, and library resources to increase student achievement by planning, teaching, and assessing lessons that utilize these resources.
     
  7. Exhibit knowledge of what it means to be a member of the teaching profession by demonstrating correct professional oral and written communication skills, ability to follow professional performance regulations regarding attendance, staff development, and reflective teaching and learning practices on evaluation data.
These outcomes are addressed in course content, with relevant class assignments, field experiences, student assessments, and program evaluation components and are articulated by the theme for the WVSU teacher preparation program: Teacher as a Developer. The theme serves as a unifying concept or framework for the entire program, and conveys the essence of the philosophy regarding good teaching. Outcomes for program completers will be measured by multimodal methods, including faculty panel review, grade point requirements, portfolios, performance assessments, evaluations in field experiences by qualified supervisors, speaking opportunities, exams, projects, and state and national assessments required by the West Virginia Board of Education. Additional information is contained in the Teacher Education Handbook, purchased by each candidate in Education 200.

The WVSU program is fully accredited with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), has recognition of the national specialty organizations for all affiliated areas, and is approved by the West Virginia State Department of Education. For the past six years (2001-2007), candidates from West Virginia State University’s Department of Education achieved a 100% pass rate for its program completers based on Federal Title II-Teacher Quality Guidelines.
 
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