College of
Education
NNU’s College of Education offers nationally accredited Educator Preparation Programs for everyone. Our undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs prepare students to enter a career in teaching, or enhance their current career in education. Regardless of your position or discipline, the College of Education has a program to empower you to excel in the field of Education.
College of Education
NNU’s Educator Preparation Programs have consistently been ranked as #1 in Idaho, across the Northwest, and nationally by a multitude of organizations. Graduate and undergraduate programs regularly receive regional and national commendations, are recognized as a best value in education program, are cited for outstanding educator preparation, and for being a college of distinction.
The college is led by professors who have demonstrated excellence in the field of education, and are eager to share their knowledge and experience. Students receive practical, relevant instruction in preparation for success in the field of Education. In addition to courses, students participate in experiences that will create opportunities to practice and apply what is taught in courses.
The Graduate and Professional Programs are designed for working professionals. NNU has a variety of Masters, Education Specialist, and Doctoral programs which are fully online. Many graduate programs result in Idaho Standard Instructional, Principal, Director of Special Education, or Superintendent certifications. Additionally, the doctoral programs in Educational Leadership are a vital part of the cadre of offerings in Graduate Education. Alumni of the College of Education leave NNU called to serve, open to change, responsive to all, and empowered to succeed.
Mission
The mission of the College of Education at Northwest Nazarene University is to be Christ-centered in our preparation of compassionate, successful leaders and educators who are called to serve, open to change, responsive to all, and empowered to succeed throughout the global community.
Program Outcomes
Program objectives are clearly aligned with national and state standards, university outcomes, and the conceptual framework.
Initial Programs
Student Learning Outcomes for Initial Educator Preparation Programs are aligned with the national InTASC standards, CAEP Standard One (revised), and Idaho Core Teaching Standards.
- Teacher candidates (NNU students in the Education Department) will demonstrate knowledge of learners, learner development and learner differences, thus creating environments conducive to learning for all students. (InTASC 1-3)
- Teacher candidates will demonstrate content knowledge and pedagogical best practices based on content connections and needs of varied learners. (InTASC 4-5)
- Teacher candidates will plan, deliver, and assess instruction. Candidates will make data-driven decisions based on student learning, utilizing frequent formative assessment strategies. (InTASC 6-8)
- Teacher candidates will engage in continuous and collaborative professional growth focused on improving P-12 student learning. (InTASC 9-10)
Advanced Programs
Student Learning Outcomes for Advanced Educator Preparation Programs are aligned with CAEP and Idaho Education Standards.
- Candidates will demonstrate knowledge and application of data driven decision making to develop supportive school environments.
- Candidates will be able to evaluate peer reviewed research, formulate research design decisions for their own research proposals, and investigate research questions in educational settings.
- Candidates will lead or participate in collaborative activities with others such as peers, colleagues, teachers, administrators, community organizations, and parents.
- Candidates will identify and use appropriate applications of technology for their field of specialization.
- Candidates will apply codes of ethics, professional dispositions, laws, policies, and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.
Conceptual Framework
The mission of the College of Education is operationalized in the Educator Preparation Programs through use of the Learner-Center Core conceptual framework. The conceptual framework guides curricular decisions within the college, and the elements are embraced and modeled within the college curriculum. The four elements of the Learner-Centered Core directly align with the Northwest Nazarene University values.
Learner-Centered Core
Called to Serve
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University view their profession as not just a job but rather as a ministry that requires the full engagement of heart, mind, and soul. They have accepted the call to transform the lives of students through teaching, leading, mentoring, and relationship building. They keep what is best for the student at the center of all they do. (Service)
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University view their profession as not just a job but rather as a ministry that requires the full engagement of heart, mind, and soul. They have accepted the call to transform the lives of students through teaching, leading, mentoring, and relationship building. They keep what is best for the student at the center of all they do. (Service)
Open to Change
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University value learning and demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and an inquiry-based habit of mind. As lifelong learners, they continually update their knowledge and skills--innovating with the latest technology and seeking ways to improve education. They question educational assumptions and use current research to stimulate reflection and to inform practice. (Transformation)
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University value learning and demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and an inquiry-based habit of mind. As lifelong learners, they continually update their knowledge and skills--innovating with the latest technology and seeking ways to improve education. They question educational assumptions and use current research to stimulate reflection and to inform practice. (Transformation)
Responsive to All
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University are committed to the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students with focused attention on those with diverse needs. They believe that all students can learn. They understand students’ backgrounds and make connections through meaningful relationships and community building. Educators prepared at NNU play critical roles in promoting democratic values. They examine and challenge social inequities in schools and communities, facilitating equal voice and equal access for all students and parents. They understand the historical and philosophical purposes of schools and the legal and societal influences impacting youth and families. (Community)
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University are committed to the academic, social, and emotional growth of all students with focused attention on those with diverse needs. They believe that all students can learn. They understand students’ backgrounds and make connections through meaningful relationships and community building. Educators prepared at NNU play critical roles in promoting democratic values. They examine and challenge social inequities in schools and communities, facilitating equal voice and equal access for all students and parents. They understand the historical and philosophical purposes of schools and the legal and societal influences impacting youth and families. (Community)
Empowered to Succeed
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University are highly skilled in promoting student achievement, using data to guide practice and incorporating technology to enrich learning. Adept at working with parents and responding to students, they apply theories, strategies, frameworks, and research to challenge, to interest, to accommodate, and to assess a diverse student population. Educators prepared at NNU demonstrate management expertise that stimulates growth and creates a safe and positive learning environment. They are recognized as experts in their fields. (Truth)
Educators prepared at Northwest Nazarene University are highly skilled in promoting student achievement, using data to guide practice and incorporating technology to enrich learning. Adept at working with parents and responding to students, they apply theories, strategies, frameworks, and research to challenge, to interest, to accommodate, and to assess a diverse student population. Educators prepared at NNU demonstrate management expertise that stimulates growth and creates a safe and positive learning environment. They are recognized as experts in their fields. (Truth)
Faculty & Staff
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Amy Ackley
Faculty of Graduate Education; Program Director, M.Ed./Ed.S. Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation / Ed.S. Educational Leadership: Organizational Development
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Lisa Amundson
Associate Professor of Graduate Education; Program Director, M.Ed./Ed.S. Special Education
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Roslyn Carlson
Research and Writing Assistant for Graduate Education and Adjunct Professor for Language and Literature
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Heidi Curtis
Chair, Graduate Education
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Marcella Enos
Associate Professor
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Jennifer Hill
Associate Professor of Education
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Lauren Pastoor
Program Coordinator (ACE)
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Mike Poe
Professor of Graduate Education; Program Director, M.Ed./Ed.S. Educational Leadership
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Holly Ripley
Associate Professor of Education; Chair, Undergraduate Education; Program Director, ACE
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L. Michelle Rowley
Assistant Professor of Education
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LoriAnn Sanchez
Professor of Education and Dean of the College of Education
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Jackie Schober
Program Coordinator, Graduate Education
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Monique Tesarik
Program Coordinator
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Whitney Ward
Associate Professor of Education and Director of Clinical Practice
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Cindy Williams
Program Coordinator, Graduate Education