Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development

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IOLA RAGINS SMITH; Associate Professor: THURMAN BRIDGES, MARCIEA MONIQUE MCMILLIAN; Assistant Professor: SIMONE GIBSON; Lecturer: DELORES ALEXANDER, HENRIETTA WRIGHT; Field Experience Coordinator: KEA SMITH; Program Directors: MARILYN RONDEAU (Master of Arts in Teaching [M.A.T.], M.S. in Educational Administration and Supervision, and the Aspiring Leaders Program), MARGARET SPICER Professional Development Schools); Coordinators of the Professional Development Schools: VIRGINIA JOHNS.

Teacher education at Morgan State University is built upon a philosophy that is in keeping with the role of the institution and the general purposes it serves. It is designed signed to complement the historical liberal arts character of the institution. Programs for preparing teachers reflect the University’s urban mission and are viewed as an all University activity dedicated to the purpose of preparing competent, sensitive and socially aware professional educational personnel who can function effectively in today’s rapidly changing society. These programs, which may be characterized as being especially sensitive to urban issues, provide the student with opportunities to develop a broad repertoire of abilities and competencies essential to success in guiding the learning activities of students, particularly urban students, of all ages. The programs reflect a basic philosophical rationale which includes the following factors:

1. Recognition of the fact that learning is an activity that is continuous throughout life and that organized learning activities extend beyond the traditional classroom.
2. Consideration of the unique educational problems that confront urban youth, and of the ways that sound pedogogical, psychological and sociological principles and theories may be utilized in effecting solutions for these problems.
3. Awareness of the fact that the preparation of teachers must include a sound foundation in the liberal arts as well as in the subject matter that is to be taught.
4. Recognition that the preparation of teachers is a joint responsibility requiring meaningful involvement of elementary and secondary school personnel.
5. Awareness that there is a need for continuous and systematic evaluation of graduates with results utilized to keep the programs dynamic, relevant and responsive to current societal needs.
6. Commitment to the principle that education be viewed as a force in developing a pluralistic, multicultural society where individuals of various racial and ethnic backgrounds reach maximum potential as productive citizens.
7. Commitment to the demonstration of professionalism through the practices of teaching and leadership, and to the improvement of performance through study and research.

The Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development offers certification in two areas: an undergraduate program in elementary education and a dual undergraduate and graduate program in secondary education. Each certification program is described below.

Programs

• Elementary Education

• Elementary Education Certification Program (Grades 1-6), B.S.

• Teaching Dual Certification, M.A.T.

Return to: School of Education and Urban Studies