Teacher Education

Faculty:
Hackett - Chair, Beachner, Brown, Cozens, Craig, Damer, Day, Edwards, Faine, Gallemore, Gober, Hicklin, Locher, Neugebauer. & Overdeer
Taylor Hall 228 • 417-625-9309

The mission of the Teacher Education Department is to develop reflective educators for a global society

Vision

The MSSU Teacher Education faculty and staff are dedicated to developing competent teachers who will incorporate into their classrooms a strong foundation of knowledge and pedagogy; a lifelong love of teaching and learning; and motivation to improve practice through reflection, self-study and professional development. It is our goal to assure that all candidates become ethical classroom practitioners, cognizant of the need to help all students meet their full learning potential.

All Teacher Education programs have been approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Program Objectives

Objectives for all programs in Teacher Education can be found in the Teacher Education Program Policy Handbook for Faculty and in the Teacher Education Program Policy Handbook for Students. Objectives for the student teaching program can be found in the Policy Handbook for Teacher Candidates, Cooperating Teachers and University Supervisors.

Teacher Education

The descriptions of the Teacher Education programs and the requirements that are listed for each program in Teacher Education in this catalog are subject to change during the period that this catalog is in use as required by external agencies. As changes are made by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), legislative and regulatory bodies and accrediting agencies; candidates in the program will be alerted through the advising process. Teacher Education candidates are responsible for their programs of study. They are encouraged to obtain degree plan sheets for the program they are pursuing and work closely with their advisors.

Eligibility for current certification is a requirement for graduation with the exception of the Missouri Preservice Teacher Assesment (MoPTA). Transfer students with a Missouri Associate of Arts degree will need to meet several MSSU General Education Requirements. The Assistant Teacher Certification Officer, Taylor Hall 221, must complete a transcript evaluation as the general education requirements are not automatically complete for certification.

The Teacher Education Program consists of the Teacher Education Department and Conceptual Framework Committee, the Teacher Education Council and CAEP sub-committees. The Teacher Education Department oversees all Teacher Education programs and is specifically responsible for the elementary education program grades 1 through 6; early childhood education program, birth through grade 3; middle school program, grades 5 through 9; special education programs, grades K through 12.

The Dean of the School of Education is the chief spokesperson for the Teacher Education program and in this capacity is the chief administrator responsible for the Teacher Education programs. The Dean serves under the direction of the President of the University and the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The Teacher Education Program is based on a conceptual framework that defines the role of the teacher as a reflective decision maker. In this role, the teacher must make decisions about pedagogical design and lesson design. Our conceptual framework creates teachers who can think critically, formulate decisions related to the multiple roles of teaching for its successful achievement and develops reflective educators for a global society. An extension of the role of the teacher as a reflective decision maker includes the teacher as a practitioner, lifelong learner, researcher, provider of service and change agent.

Central to the preparation for teaching is the conceptual framework, composed of professional knowledge, skills and dispositions that have been gathered from research, reported effective practices, from learned societies in such areas as human growth and development, learning theory, assessment, cultural diversity and special needs, curriculum content, psychological, sociological, historical and philosophical foundations, principles of effective instruction and school effectiveness.

The Professional Dispositions recognized by the MSSU Teacher Education Department consist of the following four areas: Disposition Toward Self, Disposition Toward Others, Perception of Purpose and Frame of Reference.

In order to be an effective educational decision maker, the teacher must possess certain knowledge, cognitive abilities and pedagogical skills. These are included in the following 9 standards:

The teacher candidate understands the central concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful and engaging for students.
The teacher candidate understands how students learn, develop, and differ in their approaches to learning. The teacher candidate provides learning opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners and support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
The teacher candidate recognizes the importance of long-range planning and curriculum development. The teacher candidate develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum based upon standards and student needs.
The teacher candidate uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills including instructional resources.
The teacher candidate uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive active engagement in learning, positive social interaction, and self-motivation.
The teacher candidate models effective verbal, nonverbal and media communication techniques with students and parents to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
The teacher candidate understands and uses formative and summative assessment strategies to assess the learner’s progress, uses assessment data to plan ongoing instruction, monitors the performance of each student, and devises instruction to enable students to grow and develop.
The teacher candidate is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others. The teacher actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally in order to improve learning for all students.
The teacher candidate has effective working relationships with students, parents, school colleagues, and community members.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

After the candidate declares a major in Teacher Education, two levels of admission to the Teacher Education Program exist.

The first level is application for tentative formal admission, which may be after the candidate has declared a teacher education major and successfully completed 60 semester hours of prescribed course work or department chair approval.

Students must have tentative formal admittance before courses can be taken in professional education. Courses with an EDUC prefix cannot be taken until the Junior Block (EDUC 0321 , EDUC 0329 , & EDUC 0423 ) has been completed. EXCEPTIONS: EDUC 0100 , EDUC 0280 , EDUC 0301 and EDUC 0302 should be taken prior to the Junior Block.EDUC 0316 , EDUC 0323 , EDUC 0340 ,EDUC 0381 , EDUC 0422 may be taken concurrently with the Junior Block classes. All secondary methods courses should be taken with Junior Block as offered.

Qualifications for tentative formal admission include the following:

Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in all course work. All candidates in education must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their teaching areas, e.g., art, mathematics, elementary education, etc. Additional department/content requirements may apply.
Pass all sections of the state required entrance exam, Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA). This test is not required of post baccalaureates.
Have a composite ACT enhanced score of 20 (for candidates with an SAT score see the department of Advising, Counseling and Testing Services for conversion).
All applicants must complete a required background check and receive clearance. This process must be repeated once applicationis made for student teaching.
Complete the Missouri Educator Profile (MEP) Assessment.
Complete and submit an online application.

Attendance is required at a junior block orientation meeting. This orientation is held the week prior to classes beginning the junior block semester. When candidates attain these qualifications, they will receive tentative formal admission to the Teacher Education program and subsequent notification.

The second level is formal admission, which is granted after the candidate successfully completes the eight credit hour Junior Block: EDUC 0321 , Microteaching; EDUC 0329 , Pedagogical Theory, Methods and Practices; and EDUC 0423 , Classroom Management. The candidate must be recommended by the instructors of these courses.

The candidate must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75. If at any point in the program a candidate’s GPA drops below accepted levels, the candidate will be dismissed from the teacher education program.

Grades below a ‘C’ in professional education courses will not be accepted for the degree requirements in teacher education. Candidates seeking certification in elementary education, middle school education, secondary education, special education and early childhood education must have a grade of ‘C’ or better in each of the courses in these certification areas.

The following list are courses at MSSU that must have a grade no lower than a ‘C’. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) classifies these courses under professional requirements as foundations of teaching, teaching methods, elementary school courses and clinical experiences.

A) ALL “EDUC” prefix classes

B) Psychology classes:

PSY 0100 - General Psychology
PSY 0200 - Child Development
PSY 0201 - Adolescent Development
PSY 0205 - Child and Adolescent Development
PSY 0310 - Educational Psychology
PSY 0412 - Measurement and Evaluation in Education and Psychology

C) Elementary Education Requirements:

Required Courses

Candidates qualifying for formal admission to the program will be notified in writing. The date of formal admission will be entered on the candidate’s record by the Registrar. Candidates who have not met the criteria will also be notified and corrective measures suggested.

Admission to Student Teaching

After completion of EDUC 0329 , Pedagogical Theory, Methods and Practices, but before the professional semester, candidates in early childhood education, elementary education, middle school education and special education take approximately 26 or more hours of work in professional education and in a teaching specialty. During this time, the candidate must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better and a GPA of 3.0 or better in the teaching specialty. The candidate must earn a ‘C’ or better in all professional education courses and must retake courses in which a grade lower than ‘C’ is earned. Additional department/content requirements may apply. The candidate is expected to maintain those personal and professional requirements that were met as part of the admission requirements to teacher education. Requirements that must be met prior to admission to student teaching are:

Be fully admitted to the teacher education program.
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a GPA of 3.0 in the teaching specialty area(s).
Have all previous course work completed at the time of student teaching.
Have a completed application for student teaching on file at least one semester prior to the student teaching semester.
Have a grade of ‘C’ or better in each professional education course.
Have an approved autobiography on file.
Show proof of liability coverage.
Complete a required background check and receive clearance or a current substitute certificate.

The student teaching program is designed for candidates who have met all of the requirements for student teaching at Missouri Southern State University. Attendance is required at a student teaching orientation the semester prior to student teaching. This orientation is held the second week of the semester. Attendance is also required at student teaching seminars. These seminars are held during the student teaching semester.

Note: In accordance with Mo. Rev. Stat. 168.400 (2005) and Mo. Code Regs. 5 CSR 80-805.40. Alternative clinical practice in lieu of conventional student teaching. Candidates must see the Teacher Education Certification Officer for eligibility requirements. All other university and departmental requirements for graduation still apply.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the Teacher Education Program, the candidate must successfully complete the following exit requirements, in addition to all other academic requirements of the University:

Demonstrate mastery of pedagogical knowledge and skills included in the 9 standards which are required of all teacher education students.
Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the teaching specialty area. NOTE: This applies to those graduating beginning spring of 2017. Additional department/content requirements may apply.
Pass the Missouri Content Assessment Exam in the major area or areas.
Successfully complete student teaching requirements.
Complete the exit interview.
Clear the state required background check.
Be eligible for current Missouri teacher certification, with the exception of the MoPTA.

Advisement

Advisors will be assigned to candidates following admission to the University. For those without advisors, freshmen with declared majors in teacher education will have a Teacher Education advisor assigned as part of EDUC 0100 , Introduction to Teacher Education I and sophomores declaring a major in teacher education will be assigned advisors in EDUC 0280 , Foundations of Education in a Global Society. In addition, all secondary Teacher Education majors will have advisors in their teaching specialty area, due to the many specific course requirements and entrance and exit requirements for Teacher Education. Effective academic advisement is a partnership, with advisees taking responsibility for course work and degree completion.

All students who enter Missouri Southern as freshmen teacher education candidates are strongly recommended to take EDUC 0100 - Introduction to Teacher Education I , during their freshman year. EDUC 0100 is required for ALL elementary education majors (less than 30 credit hours, beginning fall 2017).

Psychology Requirements

All teacher education majors must take PSY 0100 General Psychology, PSY 0310 Educational Psychology, and PSY 0205 Child and Adolescent Psychology (or PSY 0200 and PSY 0201 ).

Certification

Candidates majoring in elementary education, elementary education/early childhood education, elementary education/ special education, middle school education, secondary education or K-12 education, who successfully complete the requirements for this degree and successfully complete the Missouri Preservice Teacher Assessment (MoPTA) will be recommended to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Initial Professional Certificate (IPC). This is a probationary certificate that is granted for four years. Additional certification is granted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Candidates with degrees from MSSU or another institution who wish to be certified in the State of Missouri must meet all of the requirements that are set forth in this catalog for the BSE degree. All programs are designed to exceed minimal requirements for certification.

Exceptions to the General Education Requirements:

Elementary education majors must complete GEOL 0210 /GEOL 0212 .

Physical Education Requirements

All teacher education candidates must meet the General Education Requirements with the exception of elementary education, early childhood education or special education candidates. These candidates are not required to take KINE 0103 Lifetime Wellness. In place of this course, these teacher education candidates are required to take KINE 0370 , School Health Education and KINE 0311 , Physical Education for the Elementary School.

Programs

Curriculum

Courses

Teacher Education