Faculty: Karen Blacklock (Department Chair), Jim Bader, Jan Cantrell, Terry Cantrell, Janet Harman, Lynette Hill, Phyllis McMillin, Steve Mountjoy, Michael Poe, Duane Slemmer, Karen Smucker and Debra Ujiiye.

Mission: The mission of the Department of Education at Northwest Nazarene University is to be a Christ-centered unit that develops capable, compassionate educators who are determined and prepared to meet the educational needs of young people in a changing world. This mission drives our work in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs.

Learning Objectives: Objectives for graduation from NNU’s education programs are grounded in the Critical/Social conceptual framework. Objectives are clearly aligned with state standards and university outcomes.

1. Citizenship/Democratic Society: Graduates of education programs will promote democratic values, facilitate equal voice and equal access for all students and parents, examine and challenge social inequities in schools and communities, and formulate responses to local and global issues in education. (Social Responsiveness)
2. Liberal Arts/Continuing Learning: Graduates of education programs will value learning, evidence breadth of knowledge, and demonstrate an inquiry-based habit of mind. They will be effective communicators who question educational assumptions and use educational research to stimulate reflection and inform classroom practice. (Academic Excellence)
3. Professional Knowledge and Skills: Through a learner-centered approach, graduates of education programs will apply theories, strategies, and research in teaching and learning to challenge, interest, accommodate, and assess a diverse student population. They will relate to students and families in a manner that stimulates learning and creates a positive, productive environment. They will use reflection to improve teaching and learning. (Creative Engagement, Christlike Character, Social Responsiveness)
4. Role of Schooling: Graduates of education programs will demonstrate understanding of the historical and philosophical purposes of schools and a range of legal and societal influences. They will use their knowledge to make decisions about their teaching and work to improve school conditions and educational opportunities for all. (Academic Excellence, Social Responsiveness)

Learner-Centered Approach
To facilitate mastery of the knowledge base and outcomes, the teacher education program is built on learner-centered principles. This means that all learners, both faculty and students, collaborate to provide a learning community that encourages individuals to build foundations on which they can create meaningful, coherent uses of knowledge.

ADMINISTRATOR
The Chair is the administrator of the Education Department. The Director of Teacher Education has oversight responsibilities for the education programs across campus.

ACCREDITATION
The teacher education program is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The program is approved by the Idaho State Board of Education using Idaho standards.

Northwest Nazarene University is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education.

TRANSFER AND POST-BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS
It is to the advantage of transfer students to contact an NNU advisor in the education department even while attending another college or working on another degree so they can be assisted in selecting and sequencing coursework that will meet NNU requirements. This can minimize the chance of inadvertently extending the length of their program at NNU.

CHECKPOINT 1: ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION
Application for admission to teacher education should be made during the semester when EDUC2960 (Field Experience) is taken. Decision factors include cumulative GPA, ACT/COMPASS scores, and disposition reports.

Requirements for admission:
The department, with the assistance of the Teacher Education Council, conducts interviews of candidates. Candidates who are not enrolled at NNU for two consecutive semesters need to reapply for admission to the Teacher Education Program when they return.

1. Scholarship. A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above must have been earned in university work or a grade point average of 3.00 or higher earned in the most recent 32 semester credits. GPA is computed only on work taken at NNU.
2. Dispositions for teaching. These values, commitments, and professional ethics are listed on the Professional Progress Report in the Teacher Education Handbook. They are demonstrated by candidates in courses, field experiences, and interviews.
3. Satisfactory test performance. Minimum ACT scores of 21 on English and 21 on mathematics (or minimum COMPASS scores of 86 on English and 46 on mathematics) are required for admission. Assistance in studying for these tests is available in the Academic Support Center.
4. Residence. One semester in residence at NNU must precede admission to the program.

CHECKPOINT 2: ADMISSION TO METHODS AND READING COURSES
Prerequisites for admission to the reading courses and secondary methods courses are admission to the Education Program, maintaining a 2.75 or better cumulative GPA, and satisfactory ratings on dispositions for teaching.

CHECKPOINT 3: ADMISSION TO STUDENT TEACHING (SECONDARY)
Admission to secondary student teaching (EDUC4860 or EDUC4870) occurs after completion of EDUC3510, Teaching Methods in Secondary Classrooms, and content specific methods courses. Criteria for admission include:

1. Maintaining a 2.75 or better cumulative GPA
2. Passing state required test of content (PRAXIS II test).
3. Demonstrating ability in planning, instruction, assessment, and student management and motivation during methods practicum, and,
4. Satisfactory ratings on dispositions for teaching.

CHECKPOINT 3: ADMISSION TO INTERNSHIP (ELEMENTARY)
Elementary education majors experience a full-year internship in a local elementary partnership school. This internship consists of university coursework integrated with K- 6 classroom experience. Courses in the internship year include 4420, 4440, 4450, 4460, and 4810.

Admission to the internship year occurs at the end of the semester in which Content Literacy in Elementary Classrooms (EDUC3260) and Fundamentals of Reading (EDUC3250) are taken. Criteria for admission include:

1. Maintaining a 2.75 or better cumulative GPA
2. Passing state required test of content (PRAXIS II test).
3. Demonstrating ability in planning, instruction, assessment, and student management and motivation during methods practicum, and,
4. Satisfactory ratings on dispositions for teaching.

CHECKPOINT 4: PROGRAM COMPLETION AND RECOMMENDATION FOR CERTIFICATION
Candidates must have successfully completed all requirements for student teaching or internship, passed all State required exams, and been recommended by the Teacher Education Council for certification.

Majors

Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education

Bachelor of Arts, Special Education

Bachelor of Arts, Secondary Education

Art Teaching Area Emphasis

Art Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Biology Teaching Area Emphasis

Biology First Teaching Field Emphasis

Biology Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Chemistry Teaching Area Emphasis

Chemistry First Teaching Field Emphasis

Chemistry Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Communication Second Teaching Field Emphasis

English Teaching Area Emphasis

English First Teaching Field Emphasis

English Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Health Second Teaching Field Emphasis

History First Teaching Field Emphasis

History Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Kinesiology Teaching Area Emphasis

Kinesiology First Teaching Field Emphasis

Kinesiology Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Mathematics Teaching Area Emphasis

Mathematics First Teaching Field Emphasis

Mathematics Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Music Teaching Area Emphasis

Music Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Physics Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Political Science Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Psychology Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Social Science Teaching Area Emphasis

Social Science Second Teaching Field Emphasis

Spanish Teaching Area Emphasis

Spanish First Teaching Field Emphasis

Spanish Second Teaching Field Emphasis