The Secondary Teacher Education Program in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education combines a solid foundation of courses in humanities, communication, mathematics, science and social sciences with pre-professional and professional education courses. Courses in the College of Education and Human Sciences include foundations of education, adolescent development, multicultural education and instructional technology. The program prepares effective teachers who have a thorough understanding of teaching theories and the ability to apply, critique and analyze these theories in the practical work setting while meeting the needs of diverse learners, the school, and the community the secondary school serves. Faculty who are specialists in the subject area teach courses in each of the endorsement fields.
Students preparing to be secondary teachers usually have two guided field experiences prior to student teaching. The initial practicum experience focuses on adolescent development and behaviors and the second is integrated with methods courses and emphasizes curricular and instructional approaches. Student teaching is a culminating experience in the Secondary Education Program. Generally regarded as one of the most important experiences in the process of learning to teach, student teaching enables students to integrate theory and practice, to refine teaching skills, and to gain valuable professional experience.
