Education

The Elementary Education major, the Early Childhood Education major and the secondary education certification/licensure program are designed to produce teachers who have the knowledge, social competencies, methods, communication skills, and sensitivity to be effective in the school environment. Students complete methods courses, professional education courses, and field experiences and observations. They develop critical thinking skills through an analysis of educational history, philosophy and psychology; measurement and evaluation of learning; and classroom management. They gain awareness of cultural diversity and the social and political contexts of education. Students must also demonstrate ability in liberal arts areas including mathematics, science, writing, communication, and the fine arts. The education major is based on state, regional, and national certification criteria and testing competencies. The Ottawa University teacher education programs are state approved in Arizona and Kansas; the Kansas unit is also accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Secondary education certification/licensure is not an academic major, but rather a required companion program to an academic major for students who wish to teach at the high school level. Students must complete a major in a high school subject area approved by the state (e.g. English, history, biology, mathematics), as well as professional knowledge and secondary methods courses, prior to the student teaching field experience. Prospective high school teachers learn to be sensitive to the unique needs, challenges and learning styles of a diverse adolescent student population.

Graduates of the Elementary Education major, the Early Childhood Education major, and the secondary education certification/licensure program are prepared to serve in a variety of school settings, both public and private.

Kansas Teacher Education Program

The Ottawa University–Greater Kansas City teacher education program’s mission is to be a learning community in which committed teachers are reflective inquirers with knowledge and skills to use best practices in order to provide every student a quality education.

Governance

The OU–Greater Kansas City teacher education unit is the professional education unit responsible for all OU teacher education programs in Kansas. The responsibility of the unit is governance of the teacher education program, including establishment of policy, curriculum approval, and program changes.

The OU–Kansas teacher education committee (OUKTEC) is the administrative body charged with administering the program in Kansas, which includes the approval of candidates at each transition point.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program –Transition Point 1

Students apply formally for admission to the teacher education program during preprofessional education courses.

Criteria for admission to the teacher education program are:

• Completion of an application to the program.
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.50.
• Effective August 1, 2006, students new to a teacher program will be required to have College-Base (C-Base) examination scores on file in the teacher department.
• Two letters of recommendation from a high school faculty member, college faculty member, or professional can verify the candidate’s suitability for the teaching.
• Grade of “C” or higher in introduction to teaching/orientation to the teaching profession. of a current health certificate to the teacher education department.

Admission to Student Teaching – Transition Point 2

Students must make a formal application to the OUKTEC for student teaching. Applications are reviewed and approved by the committee. To be approved for student teaching, a student must have completed all teacher education program requirements for the specific license being sought. The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average no less than the state licensure requirement (currently 2.50) and earn a 2.75 or greater grade point average for all professional education and content area coursework. The student also must have no grade lower than a “C” in preprofessional, professional and content area courses and have passing C-Base scores on file in the teacher education department. The student must submit an initial copy of an electronic portfolio for assessment.

Student Teaching – Transition Point 3

Student teaching represents the capstone experience for the professional training and comes at the very end of all coursework. The student must submit a final copy of an electronic portfolio for assessment.

Licensure – Transition Point 4

At the end of student teaching, students complete an application for licensure. Students must have fulfilled all requirements of the program, successfully completed their student teaching experience, and have submitted a competed electronic portfolio for approval. Information concerning grade point averages, passing C-Base scores, passing Professional Learning and Teaching Test (PLT) scores, and passing scores on the state required content test(s) must also be on file in the Teacher Education Program Office. This application, with a recommendation from the Licensure Officer of the University and accompanied by a fee paid by the student, is sent to the Kansas State Department of Education in Topeka. Teaching licenses are issued by the Kansas State Department of Education. Students seeking teaching licenses for states other than Kansas should consult with teacher education program personnel for information.

Licensure Programs

Art (PreK-12)

Biology (6-12)

Elementary Education (K-6)

English (6-12)

History (6-12)

Mathematics (6-12)

Music (PreK-12)

Physical Education (PreK-12)

Speech and Theatre (6-12)

Required Coursework for Licensure

The Ottawa University teacher education program handbook serves as the official document regarding required coursework for licensure.