Education

Faculty

Betty Okwako Riekkola, co-chair and associate professor.
B.Ed., Kenyatta University; M.D.A., Western Michigan University; Ph.D. Michigan State University. Appointed 2017.

Kyle D. Shanton, co-chair and professor.
B.A., University of Iowa; M.A., Ph.D., University of Arizona. Appointed 2007.

Suellyn M. Henke, professor.
B.P., M.A.T., Ph.D., Miami University (Ohio). Appointed 2002.

Jillian Mortimer, assistant professor.
B.A., University of Michigan; M.A., University of Richmond; Ph.D. University of Michigan. Appointed 2022.

Introduction

The Education Department is the academic unit housing the faculty and programs of study (education concentrations; educational studies and teaching English as a second language minors) related to either eligibility for teacher certification or education-related human services. Extensive opportunities to develop conceptual and practical knowledge and skill for serving children, youth, and their families of diverse ethnolinguistic backgrounds are integrated into all required courses. All interested in these programs of study are welcome to contact the Education Department.

Education concentrations (i.e., teacher education program [TEP]) are programs for the preparation of teachers authorized by the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence. These are also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). teacher education program (TEP)

Changes in certification requirements and preparation standards by the MDE and/or in expectations set by Albion College and the Education Department may require changes to these programs of study. When such changes are determined, efforts to provide as smooth a transition as possible will be made.

Clinical experiences are integrated into all TEP courses. Each concentration also includes a course (EDUC 396 or EDUC 397) that begins during the spring semester and extends through the first three weeks of May. Teacher candidates complete this course during the junior or senior year. There is no additional tuition; however, college housing is charged.

Admission to the TEP is required in order to complete a concentration. The application for admission occurs when enrolled in the second course (EDUC 196) for each concentration. Individuals may choose one of the following concentrations: PK-3, PK-3/3-6, 7-12, 5-9/7-12, or PK-12. Teacher candidates (i.e., those admitted to the TEP) completing a PK-3 or PK-3/3-6 concentration choose any major at Albion College. The secondary education concentration requires selection of either the English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies major. The PK-12 concentrations include completion of the respective world language (e.g., Spanish) major.

Admission requirements:

successful completion of EDUC 110, EDUC 195, EDUC 196,
attendance at the TEP orientation (i.e., during EDUC 196)
declaration of concentration,
declaration of a respective major,
successful demonstration of Dispositional Learning Outcomes (i.e., assessed by TEP faculty upon completion of each concentration course)
demonstration of meeting minimum GPA expectations–
- 2.5 cumulative,
- 2.5 GPA in teaching major–PK-12 and secondary concentrations only,
- 2.5 GPA in teaching minor (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, physics, TESL)
- 3.0 GPA (TEP concentration)

In accordance with Michigan State Board of Education policy, two criminal history checks must be completed: (1) upon admission and (2) for eligibility to enroll in the student teaching internship. A report from the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) search of the Michigan State Police website must also be submitted to the Education Department–includes a $10 fee reimbursed by the Fritz Shurmur Center for Teacher Development. Lastly, applicants complete the Albion College Criminal History Check form and a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) disclosure.

Further, teacher candidates are required to maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA for the respective major and minor programs of study, as well as a minimum 3.0 GPA for the concentration. All courses must be taken for a numeric grade, except those offered only as credit/no credit.

Eligibility for student teaching includes (1) an application (i.e., placement request, cover letter, and curriculum vitae) and (2) official confirmation that all programs of study courses and requirements are successfully completed prior to the student teaching internship.

Student teaching consists of a semester-long internship (EDUC 421 or 422 or 423) and a seminar (EDUC 431 or 432). The internship is mentored by a tenured public school teacher with certification in the relevant grade band and subject areas and an Albion College clinical supervisor. They regularly assess demonstration of professional standards, required for eligibility for certification using research-based assessment tools, in order to determine successful completion of the internship.

All teacher candidates need to pass the respective Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for the grade band and subject area they completed to be eligible for certification by the MDE. Advising on when to take content area exams is provided on an individual basis. At the time of registration, individuals must request that their MTTC scores be officially reported to Albion College. Certification tests are set by the MDE, periodically reviewed, and change according to changes in law or approval of new preparation standards. Certification to teach a world language (e.g., Spanish) requires teacher candidates to pass the relevant MTTC subject area test and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ Oral Proficiency Interview with at least an advanced low result. Ongoing advising by department faculty is provided.

Standard Certification is issued by the State of Michigan and valid for up to five years. Application for certification is completed via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). The standard certificate may be printed online; notarization is required. Michigan Act No. 339 requires all teacher candidates to pay a fee of $160 for a standard (i.e., initial) certificate. Candidates are charged by the MDE and pay online. The MDE does not authorize an application until the certification fee is paid in full.

Notes:

Education Department faculty advise teacher candidates, in addition to their College advisor, upon enrollment in EDUC 110 or EDUC 195.
Individuals who are placed into MATH 100 should enroll as soon as possible in this prerequisite in order to complete the remainder of the program of study and the anticipated graduation timeline.
Completion of EDUC 396 and 397 require an extended clinical experience (for three-weeks) beyond the last day of classes and final exams in the month of May. On campus housing is available at an additional cost.

Educational studies is an interdisciplinary minor that focuses on education-related human services (e.g., youth development and learning; public education policy; environmental education; health and wellness, recreation and athletics; museum outreach, social work). The minor does not prepare an individual to be eligible for teacher certification. Instead it provides relevant professional connections relevant to other departmental majors and education-related careers. Various graduate programs of study and also value this education-related preparation.

Teaching English as a second language is a minor program of study that provides opportunities to learn about language acquisition and learning. It also focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to teach English as a second language in various settings other than schools. Further, there are opportunities for making connections to another departmental major as well as careers that serve diverse ethnolinguistic communities in the U.S. or abroad. This interdisciplinary minor is designed for all Albion College students whether completing a TEP concentration or not.

The Shurmur Center for Teacher Development supports experiential learning in education concentration and minor programs of study in the following ways: (a) partnerships with education professionals who work in diverse schools and educational settings; (b) pre-service professional development; (c) the teacher education program capstone internship; education-related mentorship practicum; (d) career readiness opportunities; and (e) continuous communication with local education professionals and alumni. Such experiences develop and sustain academic learning and career readiness.

The Ferguson Center for Technology-Aided Teaching and Learning supports the integration of multiple forms of technology in teaching and learning. Toward that aim, there is a workshop space for department faculty and individuals enrolled in education programs of study to use digital technologies (i.e., preparing educational materials, editing and viewing digital recordings of educational enactments, using digital technologies for instruction, and creating digital archives and presentations of learning). The center also offers a lending library of digital devices and curriculum materials to individuals in their experiential learning.

Student Learning Outcomes

Teacher Education Program Concentration

Students will be able to:
1. Create instructional plans
2. Teach lessons in public school settings
3. Assess K-12 student learning
4. Complete requirements for eligibility for certification

Teaching English as a Second Language Minor

Students will be able to:
1.         Participate in educational settings serving culturally and linguistically diverse learners
2.         Teach lessons for English Learners
3.         Assess English acquisition and learning

Social Studies, with Education Concentration Major

Students will be able to:
1. Create social studies instructional plans
2. Teach lessons in public school settings
3. Assess PK-12 student learning
4. Complete requirements for eligibility for certification

Educational Studies Minor

Students will be able to:
1. Accurately identify key elements of effective teaching and learning
2. Demonstrate key features of professionalism
3. Participate in educational settings serving culturally and linguistically diverse learners

Programs

Major

Minor

Concentration