Consistent with the mission of North Georgia College & State University to educate citizen leaders for a pluralistic society, the School of Education (SOE) engages students during their freshman and sophomore years in the inquiry and practice of social responsibility, understanding of a diverse and global society, and ethical behavior. To achieve this type engagement, the SOE offers Core Curriculum and Professional Education courses integrated according to themes and taught (or co-taught, as appropriate) by professors who are experts in their disciplines. Students in two of our learning communities also complete intense instruction in Spanish to prepare them for the rich diversity of our area P-12 schools.
The five Core Curriculum learning outcomes, the Information Literacy Quality Enhancement Plan, and the SOE Teacher Education Competencies emphasize communication skills and critical thinking leading to ethical decision-making and actions in local, regional, and global communities. The SOE more specifically adds dimensions related to teaching such as knowledge of education systems, subject matter and educational leadership. The convergence of the aforementioned skills and the new direction given to NGCSU by Dr. David Potter, President, serve as the platform for the themes of the SOE's learning communities:
Social Responsibility - This group of learners study social groups, communication and environmental issues, placing special emphasis on the obligation every human has to contribute to a better world and to the creation of a legacy for the next generation by acting responsibly and caring about the planet and each other. Healthy discussion around these topics reinforces the opportunity future teachers have to inspire their students through example and knowledge.
Global Communities - With advancements in technology and economic growth, geographic borders have shifted from lines on a map to conceptual opportunities for free enterprise and exchange of ideas across the world. Students in this track expand their knowledge of community, from local to national to global, through a deeper understanding of the impact of history on humanity and the impact of our response as citizens of the globe. As a result, these future teachers will be better prepared to design and impart curriculum that is competitive and innovative in tomorrow's schools.
Diversity (including Spanish language acquisition acceleration) - According to U.S. Census, the United States has the fifth largest Hispanic population in the world. Being able to communicate in Spanish is already a definite advantage to teachers and students. Students in the Community take 9 credit hours of Spanish in one semester and will continue to receive language support in the subsequent three semesters through other core curriculum courses. Learners are fully immersed in the language and interact in meaningful ways in a variety of situation, particularly in educational settings. In addition, the richness and challenges of diversity in our immediate communities and nation are analyzed.
Ethical Behavior - During this semester, students explore the meaning and attributes of professional behavior in all settings, but more particularly in education. They engage in oral and written discussions that focus on the ethical decision-making process and ethical behavior expected of teachers as citizen leaders.
Assessment
The School of Education has adopted LiveTEXT©, a web-based assessment management system, for individual and program assessment requirements established by the institution, by SACS, and by state and national accreditation agencies (Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education - [NCATE]). LiveTEXT© is a requirement for all Teacher Education majors and will be implemented in Health and Physical Education programs and our graduate programs in 2008.
Online Graduate Courses Work and Professional Development for K-12 Educators
For the past 10 years, the School of Education has worked with faculty and staff from the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education and CaseNEX©, a teacher preparation and professional development organization, to develop and implement on-line course work and professional development activities for area educators. These activities are based upon case studies and the case study methodology. They have been adapted by our teacher certification endorsement programs and some of our graduate programs. Our next project is the collaborative development of online degree programs in Middle Grades Math and Science, Special Education, and TESOL/ESOL. These degree programs will begin Spring 2008 and are collaborative projects with Valdosta State University, Georgia State University, and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
As these online professional development courses and programs continue to develop, we envision expanding our outreach to two primary audiences: 1) teachers and educational administrators seeking high quality continuing certification and advanced degree programs and 2) military personnel and their families stationed throughout the world.
Field Supervision
We also are rethinking the way that we supervise our preservice teachers in the field placements in area schools. The relationships between and among our teacher candidates, their students in area schools, their cooperating teacher and the college supervisor are incredibly complex and dynamic. As the accountability pressures in our schools intensify and the social, cultural and economic contexts of these schools change, how we work with our preservice teachers must also change. We are studying such important changes as new research-based, low inference observation instruments and distance observations through computer-based cameras and software. Our initial studies in these areas have been extremely promising and will help us ensure that we are educating highly qualified teachers, coaches, athletic trainers and exercise science professionals. Thus, the School of Education is confident in its assertion that we are "Teaching for the Next Generation."
