Adding Teacher Educators to the Professional Educators ...



WACTE/PEAB News!

Winter 2008

Welcome to the electronic WACTE/PEAB News! The News! is sent electronically to all WACTE members, PEAB members, and various other individuals. It is also available on our website (see the link above). If you receive this and would like to have your name added to the e-mailing list, please contact the News! Editor. The News! contains several sections: Spotlights describes several different institutions from across the state – double click on the name of the institution in Spotlights for a link to that site. To go to the websites for institutions on the left – double click to enter the header, then click or ctrl & click, depending on your computer’s setup. Features focuses on current educational issues. Chainlinks provides important Links to websites; and Dates will provide dates to remember for WACTE members. To view the News!, make sure you choose print layout on the Menu. We hope you like the News! and we welcome your feedback. We would especially appreciate your submissions if you feel you have something of importance to share with colleagues.

Pat Naughton

News! Editor

pnaughton@cityu.edu

Spotlights……………….

University of Puget Sound

The graduate programs in the University of Puget Sound School of Education are distinguished by their commitment to, and continuation of, the intellectual tradition of the university’s national liberal arts college in the preparation of teachers and counselors, who will serve their profession with knowledge, judgment, humanity, and a commitment to educational opportunity for all. Another distinguishing feature is the faculty’s energetic commitment to teaching, to personalizing instruction, and to

serving effectively a range of student needs. Faculty are also noted for active scholarship that informs faculty teaching and the developing teaching skill of our students. The faculty of seven includes a university distinguished professor, a university presidential teaching awardee, and all faculty are active in national publishing and national conference presentations. Faculty give careful attention to developing all students’ ability to understand and to meet the needs of diverse learners, and the ability to conceptualize, plan, enact, and assess student learning. During student teaching experiences, students develop lesson units informed by their program learning and then reflect through written reflections, seminar meetings, artifact-based assessments, and observations with field supervisors and mentor teachers using the pedagogy assessment. Faculty members are also invited for observations. Students are expected to use assessment results to alter classroom instructional practice.

UPS Master’s programs’ placement rates consistently have been among the highest in the State of Washington, and, in yearly interviews of principals of first-year teachers, UPS’s former students rate consistently in the highest category for general teaching ability, for responding effectively to the diverse needs of students, for the ability to reflect and improve, and for the ability to work with others.

University of Washington (Bothell)

The Education Program at UWB prepares innovative, ethical practitioners who are grounded in intellectual and professional communities and dedicated to educating diverse students. Throughout the program, faculty embed a deep commitment to equity and social justice, to reflective practice, and to alignment of courses with “real life” field work. UWB currently serves 150 students, who are enrolled in the Teacher Certification Program or the Master of Education Program.

The Elementary Teacher Certification Program (TCert) offers two options that lead to a Washington State Residency Certificate with an endorsement in elementary education. Students in the one-year program take courses full-time over five quarters; those in the two-year option come part-time for four quarters and then full-time for three, allowing them to continue working while beginning their program. The median age of TCert students is 35, as this is a post-baccalaureate program, and many come with additional degrees—many masters and even doctoral degrees. Within a cohort model, TCert students therefore bring experiential knowledge both rich and broad. Many have changed careers to follow their dream of becoming a teacher, and their commitment is evident.

During August and September of their final year, students spend four days a week in their main school placement; fall quarter finds them in an alternative placement (different school, grade level, teacher style) two days each week, while on campus the rest of the week. In winter quarter, they are back in their main placement, again for two days each week, where they will do their student teaching during spring quarter. Interns are responsible for solo teaching during six of the ten weeks that quarter.

UWB also has a 46-credit Master of Education Program, designed for teachers to earn a master’s degree while concurrently satisfying requirements for Professional Certification. The three core courses focus on research methodologies, multicultural self-awareness, and organizational change. Along with additional elective courses, students complete one of four culminating projects: an action research project, professional paper, professional portfolio, or a portfolio developed to National Board specifications for those interested in pursuing National Board Certification. In the fall of 2007, UWB added two new options to their M.Ed. program. Candidates can now add a reading endorsement or earn a secondary teacher certification with an endorsement in mathematics, biology, or English/language arts. Pending approval of the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), UWB will add secondary endorsements history and social studies to the secondary teacher certification program in the near future.

Walla Walla University

Walla Walla University is founded on Christian teachings and values as understood and appreciated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Central to these teachings is the belief that every person is created in the image of God as a being of inestimable value and worth, imbued with powers of intelligence, stewardship, and creativity akin to those of the Creator. Walla Walla University, therefore, seeks in its mission to foster the unique gifts of every individual within this Christian community of faith and discovery. Committed to excellence in thought, the college seeks to impart a broad knowledge of the arts, sciences, and professions by careful instruction and open inquiry. Recognizing that God is the source of all truth, goodness and beauty, the college seeks to convey to students a wisdom that translates academic achievement into responsible citizenship, generous service, a deep respect for the beauty of God’s creation, and the promise of re-creation through Jesus Christ.

Walla Walla has adopted a three-pronged approach to preparing students to be teachers who will positively impact the academic, social and spiritual development of every child they teach.

1. All students in the Residency certification program must take two

courses that directly address ways teachers can eliminate the achievement gap: Teaching Culturally Diverse Students and Teaching the Exceptional Child.

2. How to positively impact the learning of all students, especially those historically at risk, is a key component of every methods course. Most of these courses have a mandatory service/practicum component that requires students to tutor or assist in area public schools, all of which have large minority populations.

3. Most of Walla Walla’s students interrupt their training to spend a year abroad as a “student missionary,” usually teaching in mission schools. Students return from their year abroad with an appreciation for other cultures and an understanding of how to teach in a manner that reaches all students, which no college class could engender.

Washington State University

Department of Teaching and Learning aims to provide leadership in advancing knowledge and practice in the field of education in a manner that is responsive to the needs of schools, families, and communities, and that is achieved through collaboration between faculty, students, school personnel, and community members.

Through a wide and diverse range of teacher certification endorsements, WSU is uniquely positioned to provide our students with an excellent theoretical grounding and practical classroom experience available in Washington.

WSU is the only research-extensive institution to offer an undergraduate program. Students are able to work side by side with top faculty who are committed to their students’ success. As a land-grant institution, WSU is mandated to provide state-wide access, a charge the university takes seriously through the provision of Education degrees at four campuses as well as via the provision of a targeted distance education program.

WSU’s commitment to reaching underserved communities is highlighted by the success of minority student recruiting programs. Within the College, learners receive support through the Educators Club, the WSU chapter of the Student Washington Education Association, the education honorary Kappa Delta Pi, and through the Future Teachers of Color program.

Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology has a dedicated mission and commitment to provide exemplary programs for the preparation of school administrators and counselors. Both programs have a strong nexus between outcomes of the preparation programs and expectations for students to serve as highly effective school professionals and leaders. WSU is committed to

preparing leaders and professionals who have a passion and clear understanding of how to positively impact student learning and achievement. The “Nine Characteristics of High Performing Schools”, as endorsed by the Washington State Board of Education, provides an overall framework for the administrative preparation program. The school counseling program is guided by the American School

Counselor Association National Standards, the American School Counselor National model, and the Washington State Residency-Level Benchmarks and prepares students to serve K-12 students within the framework of comprehensive, development counseling models. Both programs successfully integrate school, district, family and/or community by linking academic work and real world experiences though coursework and field experiences.

[pic]Features

The Features for this edition include a commentary from WACTE’s President and report of a recent PESB award to a teacher educator. Future editions will cover topics of current interest or current news in the education field. WACTE welcomes all ideas and suggestions!

President’s Corner

Things are “hoppin” at my place! It’s spring break, and I can’t tell you how many people have asked me, “Are you enjoying your break? The answer of course, is, “What break?” This is the shortest amount of time between quarters we have! As an Associate Dean with both teaching and administration responsibilities, I’m busy trying to kill one quarter and breathe life into the next!

There are two things happening in WACTE land that I want you to know. First, we are working this spring to initiate a system of technology to front load the meetings. About the time you get this, you will receive information through the listserve about how to access the reports. We will post documents related to WACTE business on a website and solicit your responses. At this point, I will have reports from OSPI, PESB, as well as the WACTE treasurer’s report and short pieces from select institutional liaisons. There will also be a method to share your responses.

I hope that using this kind of technology we can: a) develop more carefully considered responses to the various reports we routinely receive; b) save our meeting time for the face-to-face things we can’t do in any other fashion. At the meeting then, we can simply acknowledge the reports as received. If there are controversial issues that generate significant response, we’ll summarize the responses and get a jump start on discussion that way.

The second thing happening in WACTE land is an attempt to build a more collaborative collective around teacher education. I believe that this is essential for the survival of our profession. If we cannot establish a way to work together in which we all help and support each other, we will be overtaken by the societal forces around us. There is already tremendous pressure to justify our existence. We are being asked so show the “value added” by our programs. The best way to do this is through a collective and collaborative effort.

Our meetings this spring will provide an opportunity to move toward a more collaborative stance. As we gather around the promise – and the problems – involved in implementing Standard V, we can learn from each other. As we work collaboratively, we can become more deeply aware of the contributions that each program makes to teacher education in the state. As we work collaboratively with the state, I’m convinced that both PESB and OSPI will become more responsive to the problems that we face. As we work collaboratively with the entire education community, we will begin to develop a shared voice that speaks powerfully for the children we serve.

Frank Kline, President

2007 Washington State Excellence in Teacher Preparation Award

At their January meeting, the Washington state Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) announced the selection of Dr. Dawn Shinew, Associate Professor, College of Education, Washington State University, as this year’s recipient of the Washington State Excellence in Teacher Education Award, given annually by the PESB. In their citation, PESB commended Dr. Shinew’s focus on connections between teacher educators and educators in the field and her leadership and research on teacher professional dispositions. In addition to recognizing Dr. Shinew’s outstanding contributions to teacher preparation in the state, PESB also highlighted the contributions of the other nominees for this award, Dr. Cap Peck and Dr. Bill McDiarmid from the University of Washington, and Dr. Margo Long from Whitworth University. To view a description of the history and purpose of the award and PESB’s full citation on this year’s award, see the PESB web site.

Chain Links: Linking us together to improve the education for all children…

American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education

Association of Washington School Principals

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Professional Educator Standards Board

Teacher Education Accreditation Council

Washington Association for Colleges of Teacher Education

Washington Education Association

Washington State Board of Education

Washington Association of School Administrators

Dates to Remember

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WACTE Calendar

April 23-24-25, Heritage University, Toppenish, WA

See WACTE Calendar for additional meeting dates 2008 - 2011

OSPI

Higher Education Assessment Conference, April 17-18

Red Lion Hotel at the Park,

Spokane, WA

PESB

Upcoming Meetings

March 19-20, Red Lion Hotel,

Sea-Tac, WA

May 21-22, Coast Wenatchee,

Wenatchee, WA

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WACTE members: 21 Schools or Colleges of

Teacher Education at 50+ locations in Washington State:

Antioch University (Seattle)

Central Washington University

(Ellensburg, Lynnwood, Lakewood, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Des Moines, Yakima)

City University of Seattle

(Bellevue, Everett, Seattle, Renton, Tacoma, Vancouver, Port Angeles, Centralia, Mt. Vernon)

Eastern Washington University

(Cheney, Spokane)

Gonzaga University (Spokane)

Heritage University

(Toppenish, Yakima, Seattle, Moses Lake, Omak,

Tri-Cities, Wenatchee)

Lesley University

(Tacoma)

Northwest University (Kirkland)

Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma)

Saint Martin’s University

(Lacey, Ft. Lewis, McChord)

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle University

The Evergreen State College (Olympia)

University of Puget Sound (Tacoma)

University of Washington (Seattle, Bothell, Tacoma)

Walla Walla University

Washington State University

(Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver)

Western Washington University

(Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Oak Harbor, Seattle)

Whitworth University (Spokane)

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