Education - Secondary

LORAS ALUMNI IN THE DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Loras College Secondary Education Alumni teaching and making a difference in the Dubuque Community School District.

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES LORAS TEACHER EDUCATION PREPARATION PROGRAM
Loras College received formal approval from the Iowa Board of Education for its teacher education preparation program. Teacher education preparation programs are rigorously evaluated by the State Board of Education every seven years. Loras was not only in compliance with the state’s standards, but was commended by the state for adopting a model of continuous improvement.

In preparation for the reaccreditation process, the faculty and community educators reviewed and revised the curricula to better integrate special education coursework, to increase the amount and quality of time students spend in schools, and to create a capstone experience for students during their student teaching semester.”

Mary Ellen Carroll, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of Experiential Learning.

We especially want to acknowledge our school partners who provide classroom opportunities for our students at all levels of our teacher education program. Classroom teachers give generously of their time and expertise to mentor the next generation of teachers into the profession. This support is essential to the success of our program and we are very grateful for these partnerships with preK-12 schools in the Dubuque area and beyond.”

Learning Environment & Collaborations
This course is required for all students pursuing an elementary education major. It introduces students to different theoretical perspectives associated with students’ behavior in the classroom. This course provides opportunities for students to learn professional collaboration skills and to work on a team to solve problems presented in a variety of situations. The course examines the roles and responsibilities of teachers in creating and managing a classroom environment that supports the academic, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students. In addition, the course explores current ethical and legal standards which frame the use of evidence-based practices designed to establish a collaborative, positive learning environment for all students in an inclusive classroom.

Children’s & Young Adult Literature
This course is a survey and analysis of literacy materials for children and young adults. This course will provide a broad understanding of the history and genres of literature for children and young adults. It will further introduce students to the process of evaluating and choosing quality literature.

Curriculum & Instruction in Visual Arts
Collaboration between elementary teachers that are specialists (physical education, art, music, theater, and dance) and generalists is essential for establishing a learning environment that reinforces and deepens the growth and development of the whole child. This course introduces students preparing to become general elementary classroom teachers to a) the content standards and curriculum essentials in the visual and performing arts (music, theater, and dance), b) the important connections between expressions of art and culture, and c) how the creation and/or performance of art can lead to more meaningful learning.

Multicultural Education
This course introduces students to the diversity of cultures prevalent in K-12 U.S. schools today and the impact that this diversity has on student learning. The course examines the historic influences of cultures on education policy in the U.S., how this continues to have an impact on K-12 systems today, and global education. In addition, the course explores how different elements of culture (particularly race, religion, gender, social class, disabilities, language, and geographic region) in the K-12 classroom have influenced student learning. Most importantly, this course addresses how schools are effectively addressing the needs of multiple cultures in their classrooms and developing successful strategies to counter bullying, harassment and discrimination of all kinds. Students in the course have the opportunity to mentor students from diverse backgrounds in the community.

View All Secondary Education Course Offerings PDF

TEACHER EDUCATION
Division of Teacher Education & Behavioral Sciences
Julia S. Omarzu, Ph.D., Chair

SECONDARY TEACHER EDUCATION

The Teacher Education Program offers more than twenty licensure and endorsement programs in Elementary and Secondary education. In these programs, students will meet and work with a blended faculty of full-time professors and outstanding practitioners from area schools and agencies.

All Loras College Teacher Education programs incorporate a mediated and supported induction into the profession of teaching in the form of multiple Teacher Education program partnerships with area schools, including participation in Professional Development Schools at both the elementary and secondary levels prior to student teaching. These experiences offer students opportunities to work with partner faculty in their classrooms and other settings and provide the chance to develop skills prior to student teaching.

Beginning with their first education courses students demonstrate their clinical performance, essential knowledge, and critical dispositions based on the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards. The demonstrations of performance, knowledge, and dispositions throughout the program set the foundation for the comprehensive portfolio which is completed during student teaching.

Accreditation of the Teacher Education Program
The Teacher Education Program is approved by the State of Iowa and holds membership in the Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

Teacher Licensure Programs (Elementary Education or Secondary Education)
Students must work closely with their advisors and the licensure officer in designing an appropriate program of study. All professional education courses that support the various teaching specializations are offered through the Teacher Education Program. The following table lists State of Iowa approved teaching licensure programs available at Loras College.

Requirements for the major in Secondary Education (B.A.):

Students seeking licensure at the secondary level must also complete an academic major outside of Education in an approved content area. All prospective secondary teachers are strongly advised to enroll in L.ENG-391 Language, Theory and Teaching of Writing. Students should consult with their content advisor regarding specific teaching major requirements.

Loras College also offers a major in Elementary Education.

View Full Requirement & Additional Information PDF