School of Teacher Education
Welcome
The School of Teacher Education serves those students desiring to prepare for career training in teaching as a profession. The curriculum is designed for professional training based on a Christian philosophy of education.
Conceptual Framework
Teaching is a calling! The biblical example of a servant teacher as modeled by Christ is one who possesses knowledge, skills, and character appropriate to help all students learn. Those servant leaders called by God to this vocation will be prepared in knowledge, skills, and character for effective and Christ-like service in the diverse and dynamic classroom of the 21st century.
Professional Teaching Objectives (PTO's)
The School of Teacher Education has translated its philosophy into twelve PTO's that it expects all Teacher Education graduates to develop over the course of their preparation program. The PTO's are integrated into and evaluated through specific courses. All students are expected to demonstrate continuous progress toward mastering all Professional Teaching Objectives.
Accreditation
The Teacher Education program is approved by the Professional Standards Commission of the State of Georgia and graduates are eligible for teacher certification upon graduation. Therefore, students are qualified to teach in Christian, International, private, and public schools.
Programs
Programs available to students seeking a degree in Teacher Education include Early Childhood (grades Preschool through 5), Middle Grades (grades 4 through 8), Secondary (grades 6 through 12) and Music Education (grades Kindergarten through 12). Successful completion of one of these programs will result in certification. Other minors or endorsements are also available to students wishing to broaden their certification. See the catalog information for details of each degree requirement.
Important Links for Teachers
The Professional Standards Commission: www.gapsc.com
Georgia Department of Education: www.doe.k12.ga.us
Georgia Performance Standards: www.georgiastandards.org
Georgia Teaching Opportunities: www.teachgeorgia.org
National Job Openings for Teachers: www.teachers-teachers.com
Association of Christian Schools International: www.acsi.org
Websites for standards:
National Middle School Association (NMSA): www.nmsa.org
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM): www.nctm.org
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): www.ncte.org
National Council on Social Studies (NCSS): www.ncss.org
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA): www.nsta.org
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM): www.arts-accredit.org/nasm/nasm.htm
National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): www.naeyc.org/
Association
for Childhood Education International (ACEI) www.udel.edu/bateman/acei/
Professional Teaching Objectives:
Understanding 2 Timothy 2:7
“Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
1. Gains factual knowledge in the content fields necessary for teaching.
2. Learns fundamental principles, generalizations or theories about the characteristics of learners.
Skills Psalm 90:17
“And let the favor of God be upon us: and do confirm the work of our hands.”
3. Learns to apply course material to structure classroom opportunities for different learners
4. Develops specific skills, competencies and points of view needed by educational professional in lesson planning that demonstrates use of a variety of instructional methods and resources.
5. Develops specific skills, competencies and points of view needed by educational professional in use of technology.
6. Develops skills in promoting creative, critical and independent thinking.
7. Develops specific skills in planning and utilizing appropriate methods of assessment.
8. Develops effective classroom management philosophy and practices.
9. Acquires skills in interacting appropriately with others as members of the school community.
10. Demonstrates skills as a life-long learner by finding and using resources for answering questions or solving problems.
Character Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men.”
11. Changes professional behavior based on reflection, analysis and critical evaluation.
12. Develops a commitment to calling through character that demonstrates Christ-like values.