Winter 2010 Issue

From the Interim Dean

Happy Holidays!

The GSE Newsletter is back thanks to the efforts of Administrative Assistant, Sue Crothers and Willamette's Web Wizard, Brian Hoyt.  It is a pleasure to connect with you again and we hope you enjoy this new web-based format. 

The Graduate School of Education (GSE) is in a period of exciting change. We have achieved accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and are working toward continuous improvement of programs and outcomes. We have also earned our continuing accreditation with Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). Currently our application pool is twice as high as this time last year for the MAT so we are looking forward to strong future enrollments in the MAT and the new M.Ed.

The first Master of Education candidates have begun to meet the M.Ed. degree requirements that will ultimately result in a highly-marketable endorsement in either Reading, ESOL, Initial Administrative License, or SPED along with a Masters degree. The M.ED is for licensed educators who may choose to take the courses on the Salem campus or on line, or a combination of both. Recent upgrades to the M.Ed. include a strong focus on teacher research and differentiated instruction.

We have realized additions and innovations in programs and delivery options designed to serve the needs of teacher candidates making their way in today's challenging economic landscape. The MAT Online Program will launch in late January 2011, employing technology to bring candidates together in flexible virtual interaction and exchange. 

For full time and part time (Aspire) MATs, the Reading and ESOL endorsements are now on line! Candidates may start these in the summer and finish in one or two years. Record summer enrollments proved the popularity of these courses. Our on line courses are taught by well qualified faculty, many of whom teach in our regular programs. These faculty members continue to prosper and represent the GSE well as you will read about in this issue.

Meanwhile, our most recent MAT grads are finding jobs, perhaps not at the historic rate, but at a rate that is impressive given budget shortfalls and layoffs in public and private schools. Today over 50% of the 2010 MAT graduates are in teaching positions, seven of those overseas. We are proud of you and encourage you to follow your dream of teaching. Please let us hear from you as well with your successes and challenges.

My best,

Rita Moore, Ph.D.
Interim Dean
Graduate School of Education
Willamette University

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