About College of Education
Dean's Greeting
The
College of Education offers degree programs and workshops for undergraduate
and graduate students, as well as working practitioners. The majority
of our full-time faculty teach both undergraduate and graduate courses.
All programs are offered on our main campus in Romeoville.
Selected graduate programs are offered at our Tinley Park and Shorewood
campuses, in Chicago and at several other local school districts in
the Chicago suburbs for the convenience of working adults.
Faculty practice our philosophy of “Developing Learning
Communities” in
their classrooms and with relationships with area school districts. The College
has worked with over 50 school districts in seven counties encompassing over
130 schools during the last three years, providing students with a wide variety
of clinical, student teaching, intern and practicum placement opportunities.
Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE), the College updates existing programs as needed in accord
with the
Illinois State Board of Education standards. Additionally, programs
such as the accelerated Master of Arts with Elementary Education Teacher
Certification and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction,
Instructional Technology have been developed
to meet local and national trends in the education profession.
We invite you to learn more about our programs online or contact us for
further information.
Mission
In keeping with the University Mission, the College of Education
is committed to enacting the values of knowledge, justice, association, wisdom,
and fidelity through the teaching and scholarship of the faculty, design
of academic programs, content of the curriculum, focus of school partnerships,
and service to the larger community. A culture of critique, possibility,
and inquiry is fostered where students and faculty recognize the political,
social, moral, and economic dimensions of education, submit their own beliefs
and understandings to scrutiny, challenge dominant discourses, and understand
their responsibility as a social advocate for all students, especially the
marginalized. This mission requires students and faculty to engage in ongoing
reflection and dialogue while maintaining a willingness to wrestle with this
difficult and complex work.
In order to develop learning communities, students, faculty and
local school personnel should value diverse perspectives, collaborative
decision-making and interactive learning experiences. The College
of Education through the pre-service, advanced and professional education
programs encourages the development and practice of these integrated
components.
Philosophy
The College of Education values:
- Instruction that enables and transforms all learners to effect
positive differences in our world.
- Inquiry-based and personalized
instruction that enables all students to construct meaning to deepen
and extend
their understanding.
- Lifelong learning that includes teachers and
students working together in a climate of mutual respect, provides
opportunities for growth
and fosters the development of professional relationships.
- Diversity of the
learning community, multiple viewpoints and perspectives and the
contributions of all teachers and students.
- Reflection and self-assessment
in the development of professional knowledge, skills and dispositions
that contribute to continuous growth.
- The University working in
partnership with the wider community to impact the growth and development
of teaching and learning.
The College of Education is guided by the following three unit standards:
-
Candidates and Faculty are Knowledgeable Critical Transformative Educators
-
Candidates and Faculty are Multicultural Educators
-
Candidates and Faculty are Social Justice Advocates
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