Teacher Education About Us
Teacher Education at Fairmont State University provides opportunities for candidates seeking initial or advanced certification in a variety of teaching specializations with both undergraduate and graduate programs. Our programs are designed to fulfill the mission and vision of Fairmont State and to reflect our Conceptual Framework and our commitment to prepare Reflective and Responsive Educators who have the Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions to Help All Students Learn. The Teacher Education Program Learning Outcomes support the assessment and development of educators who are prepared to meet the needs of students with:
- Effective curriculum and planning based on current knowledge of content, pedagogy, assessment, instructional design, and the integration of 21st century tools to help all students learn.
- Essential knowledge of learner development and how to create a culture and learning environment that meets the learning needs of all students.
- Best teaching practices in the integration of knowledge of content, pedagogy, the learner, and the learning environment to involve all students in relevant, engaging, and effective learning opportunities (TE Outcome 3)
- Individual and collaborative processes of reflective renewal of teaching practice and the teaching profession to improve learning for all students.
- Strategies for engagement in a school community and the larger community of parents and stakeholders to maintain an environment that fosters learning for all students.
- Transforming teaching and learning to engage all students through the meaningful integration of technology.
- Culturally responsive teaching practices that create ideal learning conditions for all students under a broad definition of diversity.
- Effective face-to-face and media communication techniques in interactions with all students, colleagues, parents, and community.
- Responsible, reflective, and responsive professional dispositions that demonstrate a commitment to help all students learn.
Candidates who complete the Teacher Education Program at Fairmont State are prepared to meet the certification standards of West Virginia and many other states. Nationally and throughout West Virginia there is a need for special education, science and mathematics teachers, and in communities across our state there are needs for teachers with a variety of other specializations. In addition to encouraging candidates to consider these high-need, shortage areas, Fairmont State actively seeks to increase the diversity of its teacher candidates and the faculty who work with them.