The Franklin College Teacher Education Program is a field-based program that is standards based, performance-driven and assessment conscious and prepares teachers who are competent, caring decision makers. It is an outgrowth of the liberal arts structure of the college which provides depth of content knowledge via the rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Course work and field experiences meet the developmental and content standards required by the state of Indiana. Graduates qualify for a license which allows them to teach primary and intermediate grades including kindergarten.

The elementary teaching program is based on a broad general education background with a major in elementary education. The program is tightly structured. Consequently, interested students must work closely with their advisors to complete related-area requirements in a timely, sequential manner.

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Departmental Highlights

The Franklin College teacher education programs prepare teachers for the many opportunities in education today and in the future. Graduates of the program are expected to demonstrate the qualities of competent, caring practitioners. Completion of the program allows graduates to be recommended for initial teacher licensure by the state of Indiana and in any state with an interstate agreement, arranged by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

Education courses begin in the freshman year, with field experiences beginning in the sophomore year. Field experiences are structured to provide candidates with progressive teaching responsibility each semester prior to student teaching. Field experiences encompass a variety of grade levels and diversity in both school settings and ability range.

Franklin College is one of only 700+ teacher education programs in the country that is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The program is also accredited by the Indiana Department of Education.

Practical Experience

The Franklin College program is recognized for the many opportunities students have to work in a variety of classroom settings. Future elementary and secondary teachers will experience over 1,000 hours in actual classroom time. This is accomplished through month-long January Winter Term internships, course-required field experiences, and student teaching.

In addition to field experience in a variety of local schools (both public and private), special partnerships exist with urban and diverse school districts for the purpose of preparing teachers for success in diverse settings. In the past the education department has been able to offer internships in international/intercultural settings including Guadalajara, Mexico, and Tainan City, Taiwan.

Opportunities

Franklin College teacher education graduates have established an outstanding tradition of employment success immediately after graduation. The Education Department works closely with the office of Career Services to help graduates maintain this impressive job placement rate. Individual counseling as well as workshops in résumé and portfolio building, career searching, and interviewing skills are provided for education students.

Franklin College participates annually with several central Indiana private colleges and universities in the Teacher Candidate Interview Day, an opportunity for Indiana and out-of-state school districts to interview new teachers.