School of Education E-newsletter

by: Dr. Kathy Richardson-Jones, Coordinator

The primary responsibility of the Teacher Education Division of The Citadel’s School of Education is to provide programs that lead to initial certification in biology, English, mathematics, physical education, and social studies. The Citadel’s School of Education is proud to be a participant in South Carolina’s Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA) activities. Currently, the Teacher Education division serves as College partner to James Island Charter High School, Military Magnet, Wando High School and West Ashley High School in CERRA’s dual credit (EDUC 101) Teacher Cadet Program. This program provides experiences for high school students that are intended to encourage them to consider teaching as a career option. This year’s Teacher Cadet College day was a success and included the opportunity for the students to meet the State Teacher of the Year, Ms. Buffy Murphy; the Region 5 Teacher in Residence, Ms. Cindi Pride; and Citadel Education majors. While on campus, the students also learned how to succeed in college and toured the campus.

The Teacher Education Division of The Citadel’s School of Education is proud of the thirty to forty teachers produced each year and of the success of our graduates and for the national recognition of our programs by their respective professional associations. While we celebrate these accomplishments, we recognize the need for continuous review of our programs and processes to meet or exceed changing state and national standards and to meet the needs of our candidates. To formalize this process, a Secondary Education Task Force has been established and—based on surveys of graduates and related national research—has instituted program changes designed to respond to areas of concern. Included among the changes are more coursework in content specific methods of instruction; more instruction in classroom management skills; additional training helping candidates to be more respectful of others; and more instruction on preventing and treating abused children. Strategies used to address these concerns include implementing the “Operation Respect: Don’t Laugh at Me” curriculum materials and the Darkness to Light training.

In addition to these changes, the Task Force has—over the past two years-- modified the Master of Arts in Teaching program’s advising process. Now, MAT students entering the program are assigned both an education advisor and content area advisor to assist the student in developing an individualized program of study. In addition a group advising process has been established to follow up on the initial joint advising process, enabling candidates to get know other students and faculty in the program. This group process also provides candidates with the opportunity to have their question answered by knowledgeable faculty and staff.

In recognition of the state and region’s need for teachers in science, mathematics and foreign languages, the Task Force has initiated a process of developing new and revised middle level and secondary teacher preparation programs in biology, physical science, English, foreign languages, and mathematics. Our middle grade initiative is collaborative effort with the College of Charleston and includes both undergraduate and MAT programs. Finally, the Teacher Education Division is working to strengthen the clinical components of our teacher education programs. In addition to devising a more systematic and coherent program of field experiences and internships, a major focus of this initiative is on aligning the clinical components of our programs with the new South Carolina ADEPT process.

Much like the protagonist in Conroy’s Prince of Tides, the School of Education’s Teacher Education division seeks to prepare educational leaders who believe that “There’s no word in the language I revere more than ‘teacher.’ My heart sings when a kid refers to me as his teacher, and it always has. I’ve honored myself and the entire family of man by becoming a teacher.”