Elementary or Secondary emphasis

The mission of the Christian School Education program is to develop servant teachers who will minister to children through instruction built on research-based practices; discipleship based on an understanding of children’s emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development; and serve children, as well as the parents, church, and community with professionalism, growth through reflective teaching, and Christ-like living.

1. Develop a working knowledge of the content areas within the Christian school curriculum.
2. Apply an understanding of children’s developmental levels to design learning opportunities that support the child’s intellectual, social, personal, and spiritual development.
3. Apply an understanding of children’s various needs and approaches to learning in creating instructional opportunities for diverse learners.
4. Develop skill in using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learner’s critical thinking, problem solving, and skill development.
5. Understand ways to promote an actively engaged, self-motivated community of learners based on biblical principles and knowledge of individual and group motivation and behavior.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in communication techniques and use of media to encourage supportive interaction, collaboration, and reflective thinking in the classroom.
7. Demonstrate the ability to plan instructional activities based on their knowledge of subject matter, a biblically-formed worldview, students, curriculum goals, and community resources.
8. Understand how to use formal and informal assessments to evaluate and promote children’s intellectual, social, spiritual, and physical development.
9. Formulate a philosophy for teaching in a Christian school that emphasizes the importance of reflection and spiritual guidance in seeking out, developing, and maintaining professional and spiritual growth.
10. Understand the multi-faceted role of the teacher including instructional responsibilities as well as fostering relationships with parents, school colleagues, administration, church staff, and community agencies in order to support children’s well being, spiritual development, and learning.

Student assessment using the Program Competency Rubric takes place at the following points during the program:
1. End of each course in the major (completed by Instructor)
2. End of SMI: Teaching/Student Teaching experience (completed by supervising teacher/administrator and supervising instructor)
3. Portfolio Presentation (completed by Director of Program)

Each student must present a portfolio for evaluation. The portfolio must demonstrate that the student has accomplished the program objectives. The portfolio is assessed on the following scale: 3 = high pass, 2 = pass, 1 = low pass. The averaged result for the 2008-2009 graduates was 2.83.

Praxis