George Fox University | Academics | Teacher Education

TEACHER EDUCATION

Policies and Procedures

The teacher education program at George Fox University is designed to prepare teachers for careers in public and private schools through a curriculum that builds on a broad foundation in Christian liberal arts education through specialization in elementary education with methods, clinical studies in teaching, and learning theory.

Teacher education and licensure in Oregon operates under the approved program approach. Teaching licenses are issued to qualified applicants who have completed a teacher education program approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), and who are able to satisfy other state requirements in effect at the time they complete graduation requirements and apply for a teaching license.

George Fox University is approved by the TSPC to offer initial licensure for elementary education. The University no longer offers undergraduate degree programs for the preparation of secondary teachers. Students who wish to teach at the secondary level will complete a content major at the undergraduate level and prepare to enter a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program to complete the requirements for the Initial Teaching License. Education department faculty and undergraduate faculty in the content major are able to advise the students regarding movement toward admission to the M.A.T. program. (See George Fox University Graduate Catalog.)

Admission to Teacher Education

Students wishing to explore or prepare for entering a teaching career at the elementary level should consult with a teacher education advisor early in their freshman year.

Students make formal application for admission to the teacher education program during the introductory education class, EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education, generally taken fall of the sophomore year by elementary education majors.

Admission to the program is based upon attainment of a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on all college-level courses, including transfer credits; passing scores on approved basic skills tests; acceptable faculty recommendations; and exemplary social and moral behavior. In addition, an admission interview may also be conducted. Admission to the program is required before students may register for the professional education core courses.

Continuation in teacher education is based on academic achievement and satisfactory evidence of characteristics needed for successful performance in the teaching profession. Students admitted to the program are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on all college-level classes, including transfer credits; attain grades of C or better on all teaching major and professional education classes; and receive satisfactory evaluations of performance in field experiences. Admitted students are subject to the policies contained in the Teacher Education Guidelines purchased when they take EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education.

Transfer Students in Education

Any student transferring to George Fox University must meet the same requirements for admission as those who have entered the University as incoming freshmen. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the teacher education program. This application must be directed to the teacher education department when the student is in his/her first professional course, usually during the first semester at the University.

A minimum of 30 semester hours must be taken at George Fox University for the elementary teaching major. Elementary education majors must complete the following courses at George Fox University:

EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education
EDUC 311 or 312 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
EDUC 370 Integrated Methods: Music and Art
EDUC 375 Student Teaching I
EDUC 380 Integrated Methods: Science and Social Studies
EDUC 401 Integrated Methods: Literature and Language
EDUC 402 Integrated Methods: Literature and Literacy
EDUC 475 Student Teaching II
EDUC 490 Senior Seminar

A student transferring from a nonaccredited college will be granted conditional admission to the program until the student demonstrates ability by completing 12 semester hours in the University and the student's professional education courses with a GPA of 2.75 or better.

Special Students: Teaching Credential Only

Students holding college degrees who enroll at George Fox University for the purpose of qualifying for an Oregon Initial Teaching License must be advised by the director of undergraduate teacher education prior to enrollment in courses and meet requirements for admission to teacher education.

Admission to Student Teaching

Acceptance into the teacher education program does not guarantee assignment for student teaching. Application for admission to student teaching is made by filling out required forms during the semester preceding the semester for which the assignment is requested. Admission to student teaching is based upon continued good standing; favorable recommendations; an attained cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on all college-level courses, including transfer credits, and an average GPA of 2.75 or better in the teaching major; completion of the required teaching major and professional courses with no grade below C; passing scores on appropriate basic skills and content area examinations; and a minimum of 15 semester hours completed in residence prior to student teaching.

Planning the Program

Students should plan to finish their general education requirements and some of their lower-level teaching major requirements during their first two years of college. Professional courses in education and the advanced teaching major course requirements should be completed during the last two years. Some of these courses, listed under Transfer Students in Education, must be taken in residence, and professional education courses must be taken before student teaching.

The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission requires that candidates for teaching licenses have passed certain standardized tests. These are taken by students in conjunction with their professional courses. Students must complete the bachelor's degree and meet all state requirements before being recommended for teaching licensure.

Waiver of Requirements

Students enrolled in the teacher education program who believe they have had experience or education that has provided the competencies certain courses and experiences in the program are designed to develop may request a waiver of that portion of the requirements. Waivers may be granted in writing by the director of undergraduate teacher education on the basis of satisfactory evidence submitted by the student through one or more of these means:

1. Examination and/or demonstration of competence. The student may demonstrate competence in written or verbal ways or in the execution of specific tasks.
2. Experience. The student may request that recent directly related experiences be accepted in satisfaction for course work or field experience. The student is required to submit documentation to support this request.
3. The student may request evaluation of other academic work completed satisfactorily to be granted equivalent credit.

Elementary Education Major (B.S.)

The University offers a degree program for the preparation of elementary school teachers. Upon entering, students interested in majoring in elementary education should contact an elementary education advisor. In addition to general education courses and electives (see page 28), the elementary education major requires the following courses:

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for a bachelor of science degree in elementary education include the following courses:
EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education
EDUC 311, 312 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
EDUC 331 Psychological Foundations: Inclusion
EDUC 332 Psychological Foundations: Learning Theory and Classroom Management
EDUC 333 Developmental Health and Physical Education
EDUC 370 Integrated Methods: Music and Art
EDUC 375 Student Teaching I
EDUC 380 Integrated Methods: Science and Social Studies
EDUC 401 Integrated Methods: Literature and Language
EDUC 402 Integrated Methods: Literature and Literacy
EDUC 475 Student Teaching II
EDUC 490 Senior Seminar
GEOG 200 Cultural Geography and Global Relationships
HLTH 310 School Health Program
PSYC 311 Human Development: Infancy to Adolescence

Elementary and Early Childhood Authorization
All of the above plus
EDUC 321 Early Childhood Education
EDUC 322 Early Childhood Methods

Elementary and Middle Level Authorization
All of the above plus
EDUC 351 Middle Level Education
EDUC 352 Middle Level Methods

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

TESOL Minor (19-21 hours)

The TESOL minor provides a basic foundation for students who are interested in teaching English to speakers of other languages, including teaching English as a foreign language overseas, and tutoring or teaching English as a second language in local church or community programs.

Note: Students interested in pursuing TESOL as a profession should continue their studies at the graduate level. A master's degree program is recommended for those interested in teaching at a college or community college. Meeting state requirements for teaching in public schools requires an ESOL/Bilingual Endorsement, as described in the Educational Foundations and Leadership section of the George Fox University Graduate Catalog.

SOCI 310 Cultural Anthropology
Either COMM 340 General and Cultural Linguistics or EDFL 470 Applied English Linguistics: Oral and Literacy Focus
Either COMM 350 Introduction to TESOL or EDFL 473 Planning and Managing ESOL Curriculum and Instruction
Either RELI 360 Cross-Cultural Christian Outreach or EDFL 472 Intercultural Communication in the ESOL Context
Either EDFL 471 Second Language Acquisition and Development or EDFL 474 Assessing ESOL Student Learning and Language Proficiency
One year of a foreign language

TESOL Minor Elective
COMM 475 TESOL Field Experience