Education

Cheryl W. O’Brien, Chair; Roberta L. Bodensteiner; Kimberly A. Eversman; Kelly Faga; Peggy A.P. Pruisner; Susan K. Sherwood; William J. Soesbe

Education programs are based on a solid liberal arts background. They provide an understanding of our pluralistic society and the children who will grow and live in that society. Programs are designed for students who are service-minded, have a commitment to young people, and want to learn the science and art of teaching.

The Teacher Education Program is centered around a theoretical knowledge base that combines with the Wartburg Plan of Essential Education, specialty content area expertise, and a professional core of education-related courses to develop effective and reflective preservice teachers. This knowledge base includes: communication; student learning; collaboration, ethics, and relationships; instructional strategies; reflection and professional development; assessment; instructional planning; diverse learners; technology; and learning environment. Specifically, the mission of the Wartburg Teacher Education Program is to develop the talents and abilities of students to become effective and reflective teachers in lives of professional service and leadership as an expression of their faith and learning.

To accomplish the purpose of the Teacher Education Program and support the mission of the college, the preservice teachers will demonstrate:

• Commitment to students and their learning.
• Knowledge of the content and how to teach the content to students.
• Responsibility for motivating, managing, and monitoring student learning.
• Reflective thinking about their practice and their experiences.
• Interest in being lifelong learners and members of learning communities.
• Dedication to helping individuals reach their full potential through service to God and humanity.

The program provides early and continuing field experiences. Field sites are available at schools in Waverly and the surrounding area, including Waterloo, and in New York City and Denver, Colo.

As early as the first year, prospective teachers may become involved in teaching activities. Throughout the program, one-on-one tutoring and small- and large-group presentations are essential components of practicum experiences. Methods courses emphasize instructional planning, a variety of teaching strategies, and technology integration. Before graduation, all teacher education students must complete a 25-hour field experience in a cultural setting significantly different than their own. The culminating experience is student teaching, integrating preparation with practice.

According to an Iowa legislative mandate, students wishing to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program must pass a basic skills test. Successful completion of the Praxis I, Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST®) is a requirement for admission to the Wartburg College Teacher Education Program. Successful completion is defined as a total score of 522 with no score less than 172 and no more than one individual score below 174. There is no appeal to this policy. Students may receive information about the test, registration forms, test-taking assistance, and remediation in the Pathways Center. Additional information will be discussed in the ED 100 Foundations of American Education  course. All testing costs will be borne by the student. The test and/or individual subtests may be retaken until the student receives a passing score. Transfer students will be allowed to transfer their scores from other institutions; they will be allowed to take upper-division course work for one term without a passing score.

Wartburg teacher education graduates serve in public and private schools throughout the United States. Increasing public school teacher shortages provide opportunities for employment in many subjects and in a variety of geographic areas at the elementary and secondary levels. The Education Department and Pathways Center assist graduates in the job search.

Students must achieve a C- or above in all methods and professional core courses and endorsement courses.

Wartburg is one of only a few Iowa institutions accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The college is also approved by the Iowa Department of Education and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Teacher Education Programs

Teacher education programs are offered in elementary teaching (grades K-8) and secondary teaching (grades 5-12). Licensure for early childhood and middle school classrooms is also available. Programs in elementary education require a major in elementary education and one endorsement; secondary programs require a teaching major in a subject area.

Students with elementary education teaching majors who are interested in teaching in secondary schools may do this by completing: one of the 5-12 teaching endorsement areas; ED 229 Teaching in the Secondary School  or ED 452 Culture and Pedagogy of American Schools ; PSY 211 Adolescent Development  (½) (or PSY 225 Life Span Human Development ); the Secondary Content Methods Course; and ED 483 Secondary School Teaching and Capstone Seminar  (with seven weeks of student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school setting). This option must be discussed and planned carefully with the adviser.

Admission

Upon declaration of majors, students are assigned an adviser who assists in preparing a course sequence plan and monitors progress throughout the program. Student progress is reviewed at multiple checkpoints throughout the program.

Admission to Teacher Education

Students apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program during their enrollment in ED 100 Foundations of American Education , normally during the first or second year. Application forms are available from the instructor or the Education Department.

Criteria for approval:

1. Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in all course work taken at Wartburg.
2. Grade of C- or better in ED 100 Foundations of American Education , PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology , and EN 111 English Composition  (or ACT English score of 20 or higher).
3. Passing grade (P) in ED 181 Field Experience: Foundations of American Education .
4. Awareness of components of the Wartburg Teacher Education knowledge base.
5. A positive recommendation from the student’s adviser(s).
6. Human qualities that elicit a positive response from students and professional colleagues as measured by faculty recommendations and field experience evaluations.
7. Demonstration of ethical and moral values and behaviors across all communities and consistent with professional standards promoted by the college and required for teacher licensure.
8. A total score of 522 on the Praxis I, Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST®) with no score less than 172 and no more than one individual score below 174.

Transfer students may be admitted to the Teacher Education Program after completing one term at Wartburg and meeting the above criteria.

A student denied admission or seeking a waiver may appeal as described in the Teacher Education Policy Manual (www.wartburg.edu/educ/policies.html).

Approval for Student Teaching

Students apply for student teaching approval at a formal meeting held the year before they student teach. Written application is made to the Education Department and the teaching major department. Approval is necessary before student teaching.

Criteria for approval:

1. Continued fulfillment of all Teacher Education Program criteria.
2. Completion of professional core courses.
3. Demonstrated broad competencies in all areas of the Wartburg Teacher Education knowledge base.
4. Passage of content and pedagogy test.
5. Recommendation from the Education Department and the student’s adviser(s).

For transfer students, approval for student teaching requires completion of one term at Wartburg and admission to the Teacher Education Program at Wartburg. Transfer students should consult with the Education Department on specific requirements.

Completion of Teacher Education Program

Graduation from the Teacher Education Program requires:

1. Passing grade in student teaching.
2. Demonstration of comprehensive understanding of the performance-based outcomes of the Wartburg Teacher Education knowledge base.
3. Requirements for Iowa licensure.

Programs

• American Government Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• American History Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Art Education (K-8 and 5-12), B.A.
• Biology Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Chemistry Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Economics Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Elementary Education, B.A.
• English, Language Arts Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• French Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• German Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Journalism Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Mathematics Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Music Education (K-12), B.M.E.
• Music Education/Music Therapy (K-12), B.M.E.
• Physical Education (K-12), B.A.
• Physics Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Psychology Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Sociology Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• Spanish Teaching (5-12), B.A.
• World History Teaching (5-12), B.A.

• All Science Endorsement (9-12)
• All Social Science Endorsement (5-12)
• American Government Endorsement (5-12)
• American History Endorsement (5-12)
• Art Endorsement (5-12)
• Art Endorsement (K-8)
• Biology Endorsement (5-12)
• Chemistry Endorsement (5-12)
• Christian Education Endorsement (K-8)
• Coaching Endorsement
• Early Childhood Endorsement (Pre K-K)
• Economics Endorsement (5-12)
• English, Language Arts Endorsement (5-12)
• French Endorsement (5-12)
• French Endorsement (K-8)
• German Endorsement (5-12)
• German Endorsement (K-8)
• Health Endorsement (5-12)
• Health Endorsement (K-8)
• History Endorsement (K-8)
• Instructional Strategist I: Mild and Moderate Endorsement (K-8)
• Journalism Endorsement (5-12)
• Language Arts Endorsement (K-8)
• Mathematics Endorsement (5-12)
• Mathematics Endorsement (K-8)
• Middle School Endorsement
• Music Endorsement (5-12)
• Music Endorsement (K-8)
• Music Secondary Education Core (For All B.M.E. Majors)
• Physical Education Endorsement (5-12)
• Physical Education Endorsement (K-8)
• Physics Endorsement (5-12)
• Psychology Endorsement (5-12)
• Reading Endorsement (5-12)
• Reading Endorsement (K-8)
• Science Endorsement (5-12)
• Science Endorsement (K-8)
• Secondary Teaching Professional Core (5-12)
• Social Studies Endorsement (K-8)
• Sociology Endorsement (5-12)
• Spanish Endorsement (5-12)
• Spanish Endorsement (K-8)
• Speech - Communication - Theatre Endorsement (5-12)
• Speech - Communication - Theatre Endorsement (K-8)
• World History Endorsement (5-12)

• American Government Minor Endorsement For Social Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• American History Minor Endorsement For Social Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• Biology Minor Endorsement For Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• Chemistry Minor Endorsement For Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• Economics Minor Endorsement For Social Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• Physics Minor Endorsement For Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• Psychology Minor Endorsement for Social Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• Sociology Minor Endorsement for Social Science Teaching Majors (5-12)
• World History Minor Endorsement For Social Science Teaching Majors (5-12)