Page 5 - Laker Connection Spring 2013

Teaching by doing is a central component in teacher education at Clayton State University. Learning revolves around the interplay be- tween engagement in the college classroom and real-world experiential preparation. Teacher candidates sit behind the desk as the educated, stand in front of a class as the edu- cator, and graduate with a comprehensive un- derstanding of education.
“We’re not holding off on dessert,” says Dr. Ruth Caillouet, Department Chair of Teacher Education at Clayton State. “Instead of say- ing ‘Wait until you graduate,’ experiential learning shows them a tangible reason for what they are doing, and the future is very clear for what they will become.”
What they will become depends on the edu- cation program chosen by the candidate. Un- dergraduate candidates earn a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Grades Teacher Education (grades four through eight) or a bachelor’s in a specific discipline (English, History, Music or Mathematics) with an emphasis on teach- ing secondary education (grades six through 12). The music education program leads to a bachelor’s degree and k-12 certification. Graduate level candidates pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching – English or a Master of Arts in Teaching – Mathematics.
For undergraduates, the road to the classroom begins as early as the sophomore year. Can- didates tutor, observe and teach short lessons two days a week at their assigned metro-At- lanta school. By spring semester of their sen- ior year, candidates spend all day, every day at the internship site with a mentor teacher. During that last semester, the candidate teaches full-time for six weeks – an invalu- able class act.
SPRING 2013 3