Education Department
Our Mission...
As part of a Christian learning community at Bethel University, the Education Department seeks to prepare educators for service in public and private schools who are caring, competent and qualified and who:
- demonstrate knowledge and competence in the context of educational theory and content knowledge;
- understand and facilitate student learning and devlopment;
- engage in reflective practice;
- establish collaborative relationships;
- demonstrate a Christian worldview characterized by integrity and compassion.
KEY PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate knowledge and competence in the context of educational theory and content knowledge. As a knowledgeable and competent professional, the teacher . . .
- demonstrates appropriate content skills and knowledge;
- thinks critically and reflectively about current educational research, theory, and practice specific to subject matter.
2. Understand and facilitate student learning and development. As a facilitator
of learning, the knowledgeable and effective teacher . . .
- creates and maintains a positive learning environment within the classroom;
- adapts, designs, and evaluates developmentally appropriate curriculum which is sensitive to multicultural, gender, and ability issues;
- designs appropriate learning outcomes;
- makes teaching decisions based on assessment of student learning;
- uses a variety of teaching strategies to accommodate diverse backgrounds, interests, and needs;
- actively involves students in their learning;
- uses resourcefulness and creativity in meeting the needs of students.
- engages in ongoing reassessment of personal role as an educator;
- reflects on professional practice and the underlying assumptions;
- cultivates a broad perspective about education in its societal context;
- models the value of continued personal learning and professional development.
3. Engage in reflective practice.
As a reflective practitioner, the teacher . . .
- engages in ongoing reassessment of personal role as an educator;
- reflects on professional practice and the underlying assumptions;
- cultivates a broad perspective about education in its societal context;
- models the value of continued personal learning and professional development.
4. Establish collaborative relationships;
As a collaborator, the teacher...
- relates positively with students having varying needs, abilities, and learning styles, including children with special needs;
- contributes in a positive manner to the school climate;
- serves as a resource and referral agent to students, parents, other professionals, and outside agencies;
- deals sensitively with families from diverse backgrounds who have varying belief systems;
- works positively with school personnel.
5. Demonstrate a Christian worldview characterized by integrity and compassion.
From this strong moral framework, the teacher...
- provides dedicated service to others;
- demonstrates ethical decision making;
- treats others with fairness and respect.