“To be a teacher is to be a part of an elite group.”
–Jennie McCombs, 2005
“I want to help build the foundation of the future.”
–Maegan Ridenour, 2006
Teaching... The Reward is Impacting Lives!
A career as a teacher offers exciting and challenging opportunities
to impact the lives of many children. The rewards of working with
elementary, middle school, or high school students are great and
considerable. Upon completion of one of Tri-State University’s
Franks School of Education teacher preparation programs, you will
be eligible for an Indiana license to teach the subject(s) and
the grade level(s) of your choice.
TSU’s teacher preparation programs are accredited by the
Indiana Department of Education/ Division of Professional Standards
and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE). We are proud that we have earned endorsements from both
of these accrediting bodies.
We are also proud that our students are successful on examinations
required for licensure in Indiana. Our current passing rate is
100 percent!
Each teacher education major begins observing and/or working
with children as early as his/her first year. In the freshman
practicum, observations are made in lower elementary, upper elementary,
middle school, high school, and alternative school classrooms.
In the sophomore practicum, observing and assisting are part of
a four-week experience in a kindergarten, elementary, or middle
school classroom. The third-year practicum involves four weeks
of observing and teaching in a lower, upper, or high school classroom.
During the methods block practicum in the fourth year, the setting
for observing and teaching is a school where the students and
faculty reflect diversity. Finally, student teaching at the end
of the fourth year, involves full-time participation in a classroom
at the grade level and/or subject of the teacher candidate's choice.
Our current students and graduates continue to support the value
of these field experiences, and feel they contribute greatly to
their success as successful teachers.
Class sizes range from about 20 for those that include all EDU
majors, to about 10-15 for those specifically for elementary majors
only or secondary majors only. Interaction and collaboration are
important components of teaching and learning. Faculty members
are readily available for guidance and assistance both on campus
and at all field experience sites.
Graduates of teacher preparation programs find employment in
many school districts throughout northeastern Indiana, northwestern
Ohio, and southern Michigan. Some pursue opportunities in other
states such as Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Texas,
California. Still, others pursue graduate studies.
You may pursue a career as a teacher in the following grade levels
and/or content areas:
Elementary Education (K-6)
Middle School Education (5-9)
Secondary Education (9-12)
- English/Language Arts
- Health
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Science (biology, chemistry, physics)
- Social Studies (history, geography, government,
economics, psychology)
Contact:
Dr. Suzanne K. Van Wagner
Dean
Frank School of Education
1 University Avenue
Angola, Indiana 46703
260.665.4200
vanwagners@tristate.edu