Program Mission
The mission of the teacher
education program at Lenoir-Rhyne University is to prepare teachers
who know their content, know how to teach, are successful with a
diverse population, are leaders, are reflective about their
practice for effective change, and are respectful and caring.
Given its Christian
foundation and the personal, nurturing contact provided students,
a hallmark of the teacher education program at Lenoir-Rhyne
University is the preparation of reflective practitioners who are
caring professionals. It is our sincere desire to send
professionals into school environments who know children and youth
and can therefore be nurturing of their needs in order to support
learning.
Objectives
1.
To develop competent early childhood, elementary, middle grades, special
subject and secondary teachers. The undergraduate program strives to
provide students with:
An excellent liberal arts core curriculum based on Christian and humanistic
values;
One or more areas of specialization of sufficient depth to merit
the designation "discipline;"
A professional education component which will lead to understanding
the nature of the learner, factors which impact learning, institutions
in which learning occurs, ways to facilitate learning, and the professional's
responsibility in facilitating learning;
Laboratory and field experiences of sufficient quality, duration
and diversity to assure the translation of theory and thought into
practice.
2. To offer
a variety of teaching career options for students of the Humanities,
the Social Sciences, the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, as well as
those who major in Birth Kindergarten, Elementary, Hearing-Impaired
or Middle School Education.
3. To reflect the needs of society by directing competent students into
fields where there is an immediate need for teachers in our state and
region.
4. To demonstrate awareness of the multicultural nature of American
society through student recruitment practices, early field experiences
with diverse cultures; and to provide students with procedures to meet
the differing needs of learners as well as helping students develop
competency in human relations.
5. To demonstrate our commitment to Christian principles by inquiry
and reflection, practicing tolerance, honesty, justice, faithfulness,
and caring in our relationships with colleagues and students; and by
encouraging students in teacher education programs to reflect on their
own values, to develop religious and ethical commitment, and to help
their students to do likewise.
6. To help prospective teachers develop the ability to think critically
and to acquire the requisite skills, broad understanding, and flexibility
that will enable them to:
Critically analyze the methodology of the master teachers they encounter
as they enter the teaching profession;
Develop their own style of teaching, based on theory, application
and awareness of their own values and abilities;
Be able to analyze the teaching/learning experience
in order to be more sensitive to and better satisfy the learning
needs of all children and youth, whether they be handicapped, normal
or extremely gifted, and;
Eventually become self-actualized professional.
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