Academic Catalog Spring 2019

(EDU) UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

Teacher Education Program Bluefield College’s Teacher Education Program, which is designed to prepare competent, caring, and qualified teachers who are reflective practitioners, is awarded TEAC accreditation by the Inquiry Brief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, from 10/24/2016-12/31/2023. The accreditation does not include individual education courses that the EPP offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes. This accreditation certifies that Bluefield College’s Teacher Education Program has provided evidence that their program adheres to TEAC’s quality principles. The Teacher Education Program at Bluefield College has graduated highly qualified teachers for more than 30 years. These graduates serve in distinctive careers as teachers and administrators in public and private schools throughout Virginia and the United States. Their schools and communities have richly benefited from their service and leadership. The Teacher Education Program reflects the liberal arts nature of the College as demonstrated by a program of general education courses, carefully chosen content knowledge courses, and professional studies courses that the teacher licensure candidates must follow. Courses have been selected and designed to provide opportunities for the achievement, application, and refinement of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for entrance into and effective performance in the teaching profession. In conjunction with extensive fieldwork in the local public schools, their courses of study enable the teacher licensure candidates to design learning experiences responsive to the individual academic, cultural, socio-economic, and physical differences of learners. Teacher licensure candidates are encouraged to apply theories presented in the college classroom to their practical experiences in the schools and to engage in continuous reflection in their approach to teaching. The overall aim of the Teacher Education Program is to prepare competent, caring, and qualified teachers who are reflective practitioners. The goals of the Teacher Education Program are to develop teachers with: • Reflective Practice - Seeking to continually improve as a teacher and as a reflective learner. • Subject Matter Knowledge - A deep understanding of one or more content area specialties. • Pedagogical Knowledge - A deep understanding of the teaching/learning processes related to effectively teaching content to a variety of learners. • Caring Teaching Skills - Applying pedagogical knowledge and skills in a caring and professional manner to help all students reach their optimal educational goals. • Diversity - Using the knowledge of the rich diversity among people in terms of gender, race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, culture, abilities, and individual differences, to provide educational opportunities for all students. • Technology -Using thewide arrayof technological tools for teaching, communicating, and lifelong learning. • Leadership Skills - Identifying areas of need, seeking solutions, and actively participating in strategies and programs that positively impact student achievements and behavior. • Licensure - Completing the requirements to obtain a Collegiate Professional License for Virginia in one or more endorsement areas.

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