Welcome Message from Dr. Mari Koerner
We in CTEL are proud of the important work we do. We believe that deeply committed school teachers and administrators make important contributions to individual students as well as families, communities, and the larger society. We believe that through our work and collaboration with schools, we not only teach but continue to learn how to improve the education of PK-16 students. Our mission is the preparation of teachers and schools leaders. Our belief is that our students are at the center of our work and it is their students who are the ultimate recipients of what we do. Our alumni continue to be in the forefront of efforts to secure a top-quality education for students all over Arizona and have enhanced our reputation in the community. This results in our graduates having many opportunities for jobs in schools. Many districts prefer our students and offer them positions upon graduation.
CTEL is always striving to be more effective in and to find more innovative ways we prepare students to become teachers and school leaders. We do this through partnerships with Arizona schools where our students can observe and apply best practices of teaching. These collaborations include Peoria, Verrado, Avondale, and Osborne (and there are many more). We have designed a special innovative doctoral program for teachers and those holding administrative positions in schools and school districts who will research problems in their schools and then propose interventions. For people who are changing careers and want to teach in elementary and secondary, we have a special, intense program which will get them ready to teach in less than a year (MAC). Beginning for Fall,, 2007, we welcome 180 Teach for America corps members who will be placed in classrooms all over the West v\Valley and who, through our special partnership, will be in MAC programs which focus on preparing them to be effective teachers. We will provide close supervisions with mentors who will follow them through their first two years. We have a unique undergraduate program in early childhood and a graduate program in special education which focuses on working with infants and young children.
Our faculty have had local, national and international recognition as teachers, scholars and change agents. Some examples are: a President’s Professor, who was selected for this special award because of her innovative teaching; a professor who teaches civic education in Bosnia; invited speakers and panelists who routinely present their research; a director of a project who won the university award for design imperative. Our faculty are also exemplary because they are careful, engaging and good teachers of our students. Our professors get outstanding reviews as instructors in all of our College’s courses. We have received national attention for our partnerships with an award from the most prestigious national teacher education organization for effective partnerships.
We realize that people make choices about becoming a teacher at different stages in their lives and so we have many different programs available at the undergraduate and graduate levels which also offer a degree or both a degree and a certificate to teach. Please check out the information on our web site to learn about them and the admissions process. CTEL’s faculty, academic advisors, and staff are here to assist you as you begin your path to becoming a teacher. As a public institution, we have a strong commitment to be a positive force in addressing the needs of families and communities in this state. As teachers and teachers of teachers, we are very hopeful that we can make a positive difference in the world and we invite you to join us.
Dr. Mari Koerner
Dean, College of Teacher Education and Leadership
Arizona State University at the West Campus |
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