College of Education
Department of
TEACHER EDUCATION
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The Department of Teacher Education administers the
professional education component of all undergraduate and graduate teaching programs.
- Dennis Potthoff, Chair
- Jane Strawhecker, Assistant Chair
- Professors: Fredrickson,
Lewis, D. Potthoff,
Walker
- Associate Professors: Hansen,
Mollenkopf,
Montgomery, Strawhecker,
Tracy, Ziebarth-Bovill
- Assistant Professors: Agard,
Bostic, Crow,
Knoell, Kracl,
Kritzer, McCarty,
K. Messersmith
- Senior Lecturer: Stirtz
- Lecturers: K. Anderson,
Harshbarger, Knipping,
McCollough, Moeller,
West
- Professional Staff: Demaris Grant, Director of Transition to Teaching; Roger Nyffeler, Director of UNK
Network of Partner Schools
Department Mission
The Department of Teacher Education is committed to the principle that teaching is a moral endeavor and
that the primary purpose of education in America's schools is the preparation of our youth for the role of citizen in our
social and political democracy. This basic belief forms the foundation of our mission. The mission is predicated upon the four
moral dimensions espoused by the National Network for Educational Renewal (NNER): (a) the enculturation of youth into a social and
political democracy; (b) access to knowledge; (c) nurturing pedagogy; and (d) stewardship. The themes of democracy, diversity, and
technology are also central to department courses and programs.
Department Objectives:
- To provide premier undergraduate and graduate programs for the preparation of preservice teachers and
the professional development of in-service teachers.
- To encourage the habits of independent and lifelong learning among undergraduate- and graduate-level students.
- To foster the development of effective and committed educators who are responsible, collaborative, and reflective. To this
end, department undergraduate and graduate courses provide a broad knowledge base, applied skills, competencies, dispositions,
and appropriate field and/or practicum experiences.
College of Education - Desired Outcomes - Initial Certification Morally Responsible Professionals in a
Social/Political Democracy
The University of Nebraska at Kearney recognizes the importance of education in and for a
democratic society and has identified the following desired outcomes. Therefore, by the time UNK students complete their education
program, they will:
- Demonstrate Knowledge of:
- (Ka) teaching area content.
- (Kb) learning theory, instructional strategies and management practices that accommodate and enhance learning of all
learners.
- (Kc) purposes of schooling in a diverse and democratic society.
- (Kd) data collection and interpretation procedures necessary to maximize learning for all learners.
- Demonstrate Skills to:
- (Sa) develop and implement lesson plans that utilize appropriate P-12 content standards and subject matter.
- (Sb) utilize student data to implement multiple instructional and management strategies.
- (Sc) use technology effectively in the school setting.
- Demonstrate Dispositions of:
- (Da) collaboration: Demonstrates ability to work productively with colleagues and students in school and community
settings.
- (Db) reflection: Demonstrates self-assessment abilities and adjusts/adapts teaching and learning strategies to enhance
learning of all learners.
- (Dc) responsibility: Assumes accountability for professional and ethical behavior to promote a safe and supportive
learning environment.
Go to: Admission to Teacher Education
Admission to Student Teaching
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE GRADES/EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MAJOR
Three options are available in this major:
- Elementary Education Teaching Field Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
- Middle Grades Teaching Field Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
or Middle Grades Teaching Field Endorsement - Bachelor of Science in Education Degree
- Early Childhood Unified Teaching Field Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
SPECIAL EDUCATION MAJOR
Two options are available in this major:
- Mild/Moderate Disabilities K-6 Teaching Field Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
- Mild/Moderate Disabilities 7-12 Teaching Field Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
- English As a Second Language Teaching Subject Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
Minors in Early Childhood Education and Special Education are
available in the department.
Courses with the prefix SPED, TE and
TESE are offered by the department.
