Teacher Education
The Department of Teacher Education exists to prepare educators for transformative service through Christ-centered programs. Students are equipped with the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions to provide the teaching and God-honoring leadership that changes lives, within the diverse communities they serve.
About the Department
The Department of Teacher Education exists to prepare educators for transformative service through Christ-centered programs. Students are equipped with the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions to provide the teaching and God-honoring leadership that changes lives, within the diverse communities they serve.
Our Mission
The Department of Teacher Education exists to prepare educators for transformative service through Christ-centered programs. Candidates are equipped with the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions to enable them to provide effective and compassionate professional practice and God-honoring leadership within the diverse communities they serve. Through its programs, the Department of Teacher Education prepares caring and committed educational professionals equipped to serve within public, private, or global educational settings.
Students wishing to enroll in a teacher education program at University of Northwestern must first be accepted into the education program through a formal admission process which ensures a standard of excellence within the department.
Roadmap to Success
The Department of Teacher Education has a roadmap of success that students can follow on their journey towards teaching
1. Educational Foundations and Program Admission
Foundational Experiences are designed to help candidates determine their personal “fit” with the teaching profession.
A field experience consists of 20 hours within a public school classroom.
Candidates formally apply to be admitted into the Department of Teacher Education.
Candidates interview with Department of Teacher Education faculty to discuss their qualifications and their “decision to teach.”
2. Education Core Courses and Human Relations
Candidates are prepared to meet the MN Standards of Effective Practice, including an emphasis on subject matter, student learning, instructional strategies, learning environment and assessment.
Candidates are prepared to develop and advance their cultural awareness by understanding the contributions and lifestyles of the various racial, cultural, and economic groups in American society with an emphasis on human diversity, personal rights, and how faith applies to embracing cultural diversity.
Field experiences take place in diverse schools and community settings, allowing candidates to work with individuals from cultural or ethnic groups different from their own.
3. Methods-Level Courses and Field Placements
Candidates learn and apply methodologies within their chosen field by creating, teaching, and evaluating lessons within a cooperating school classroom.
University supervisors visit candidates weekly in their field placements to offer support, feedback, and reflection opportunities for candidates’ professional growth.
The UNW Department of Teacher Education partners with over 150 schools and 200 cooperating teachers every year. Candidates receive hundreds of hours in the classroom setting prior to student teaching.
4. Student Teaching & Preparing for MN Teaching License
Candidates will be placed in a classroom setting for 14-18 weeks depending on the requirements of the licensure program.
Candidates will be given the opportunity to teach full time and will participate in culminating assessments demonstrating their professional knowledge and abilities.
Recommendation for teacher licensure in the state of MN occurs when all program and state requirements are met.
Meet your Professors
Here you’ll learn from long-time teachers who share your faith and love of helping others learn.
