Education Major - Elementary, BA

Students are encouraged to express an area of interest in the field of education upon application for admission to WLC. This helps in the advising process.

• 30 credits completed including COM 101, ENG 101, EDU 201, EDU 210, EDU 221, & EDU 292
• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.50
• Successful completion of Praxis Core Tests or ACT/SAT qualifying scores
• Submission of the following documents in conjunction with the above courses:
  • Initial teaching philosophy (in EDU 201)
  • Disclosure Questionnaire and current TB Test Verification (in EDU 221/EDU 292)
  • Clinical evaluations and written reflections (in EDU 292 )
• Three recorded evidences of ability to speak in front of an audience/class (at least one in education)
• Three letters of recommendation - one from a former employer, one from a supervisor in an educational experience you had with children or young adults, and one from a former teacher (high school or other academic setting)
• One page rationale for choosing teacher education - written in formal collegiate format
• Stage 1 Portfolio
  • Along with the above evidence of readiness for admission to the School of Education, the applicant must compile and successfully present a themed Stage 1 Portfolio to an EDU professor. This portfolio includes the documentation of the required criteria above. It is to be organized around the Model Core Teaching Standards. It also includes a research topic of interest and the rationale for choosing this topic. The instruction for building this portfolio comes from EDU 221 (initial requirement) and further help in building the portfolio is provided by the Future Teachers of Education Association (FTEA) on campus.

Major credit requirements:

• At least 15 credits in residence of 300 level or above courses.
• Exit cumulative GPA of 3.00 in major.

Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence (MC/EA) - DPI License #72-777; ages 6-13 years

Major:

Each student must complete an approved elementary education major which is nested in the liberal arts studies as outlined on a designated list of courses. This permits the student to teach any subject in a self-contained class in any grades, 1 through 8, and language arts, mathematics, science, social science and health in a departmentalized pattern.

Minor:

Each student must also complete a minor area such as: art, biology, chemistry, communication, German, English/language arts, history, mathematics, music, psychology, social studies, natural science, Spanish, theatre, or coaching. Students are highly encouraged to select a minor in one of the four core subject areas.

Faculty of the School of Education exercises professional judgment in evaluating the performance of course work, the clinical experiences, and portfolio preparation. This evaluation emphasizes performance evidence of the knowledge, skills and dispositions (including moral and ethical considerations) identified as essential for a qualified beginning educator. National subject area standards, INTASC standards, NBTS standards, and Wisconsin DPI standards also provide foundation for assessment of performance. Consult the Teacher Education Handbook for the requirements at each stage of progress through the program.

The clinical experiences are developmental in scope and sequence, occurring in a variety of settings. They consist of observations, interviews and participation in numerous instructional activities. Documentation is required as outlined in the Teacher Education Handbook. Field hours are designated for certain EDU courses in the professional sequence. Consult Appendix C of the Teacher Education Handbook.