North Central College Teacher Education Programs: Shaping Future Educators

North Central College has a long-standing tradition of excellence in teacher education, spanning over 150 years. The college's Education Department is fully accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education and committed to fostering innovation in professional preparation. The teacher education programs are designed to equip aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to excel in diverse school settings.

Comprehensive Program Overview

The Education Department at North Central College offers a range of undergraduate licensure programs to prepare teachers for various levels and subject areas, including:

Elementary Education
Secondary Education
K-12 Art Education
K-12 Foreign Language Education
K-12 Music Education (in conjunction with the Department of Music)

These programs are experience-oriented and grounded in the liberal arts, ensuring that teacher candidates receive a well-rounded education.

Secondary Education: Preparing High School Educators

The secondary education program at North Central College focuses on providing students with the necessary tools to begin a successful teaching career after graduation. Secondary education majors learn how to lesson plan and teach focusing on subjects of their choice like art, biology, chemistry, physics, English, history, math and foreign language. This program is approved for licensure by the Illinois State Board of education, creating world-class middle and high school educators who inspire young people to achieve their best.

Content Area Specialization

Secondary Education majors are required to complete a second major in their chosen content area in order to obtain a teaching license. The content areas are as follows: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese, English, Environmental Science, French, German, Japanese, Mathematics, Physics, Social Science/History, Spanish, and Integrated Science: Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

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Elementary Education: Building Foundational Skills

The Elementary Education program at North Central College is designed to prepare educators who can inspire young people to achieve their best. Elementary Education majors learn how to lesson plan and teach a variety of subjects like English, math, science and social studies. This program is approved for licensure by the Illinois State Board of education, creating world-class educators.

Commitment to Professional Standards and Social Issues

At North Central College, teacher candidates make a commitment to upholding professional standards, committing to understand social issues such as equity and capacity-based learning. The faculty of the education department is committed to the serious study of education and the promotion of professional standards to foster innovation in professional preparation. This commitment encompasses social issues such as equity and capacity-based learning, with an emphasis on preparing candidates to teach in diverse school settings.

Progression Points: Ensuring Candidate Readiness

The Department of Education has established Progression Points as ways for department faculty to ensure students are undertaking experiences needed to prepare them for the profession of teaching. Each checklist is designed to be met by teacher candidates at important points along their journey to becoming a teacher. The Progression Points serve as benchmarks to ensure that teacher candidates are developing the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the classroom.

Progression Point 1: Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Course Requirements: Complete EDUC 101, PSYC 100, EDUC 228, 260, and EDUC 235 with a grade of C- or above. Complete EDUC 291 with a grade of P.
GPA Requirements:
- For full admission: Earn an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in all coursework taken at and transferred to North Central College. Earn a GPA of 2.75 or better in all coursework taken for and transferred to the Elementary Education major.
- For conditional admission: Earn an overall cumulative GPA of 2.25-2.749 in all coursework taken at and transferred to North Central College. Earn a GPA of 2.25-2.749 in all coursework taken for and transferred in to the Elementary Education major.
Evaluation Requirements:
- Dispositions: Recommendation from candidate’s EDUC 101 instructor. Dispositions Recommendation from candidate’s EDUC 228 and EDUC 260 instructor. Self-Assessment of dispositions at time of application to TEP.
- Field Experiences: Field Experience Recommendation from EDUC 101 Mentor Teacher. Recommendation from EDUC 291 Supervisor.
Note: Teacher candidates must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) to take EDUC courses at the 300- or 400-level.

Progression Point 2: Progression to Student Teaching Residency

Course Requirements: Complete of all professional education courses for the Elementary Education major with a grade of C- or better with the exception of EDUC 494 and 496, the Student Teaching Residency course package.
GPA Requirements:
- Full Admission to Student Teaching Residency: Have earned an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater in all courses taken at and transferred to North Central College. Have earned a GPA of 3.00 or better in all courses taken for and transferred in to the Elementary Education major.
- For conditional admission to Student Teaching Residency: Conditional Admission to Student Teaching allows candidates to progress to student teaching while taking advantage of systems of support provided by the department to help ensure success.

Course Descriptions: A Glimpse into the Curriculum

The Education Department offers a wide array of courses designed to provide teacher candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the classroom. Here are a few examples:

EDUC 101 - Foundations of Teaching and Learning: Examination of the structures and processes that frame the work of teaching and learning in schools with an emphasis on equity and culturally relevant and sustainable practice. Emphasis on the impact of curricular learning standards and development of children and adolescents on teaching, learning and decision making. An overview of the profession, the Danielson Framework for Teaching, the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, Common Core Standards and the expectations of the North Central College Teacher Education Program are introduced in this gateway course. Required: 15 field experience hours must be completed at North Central College. Students are required to provide proof of health insurance. Power Structures, Community Engaged Learning. iCon(s): Challenging Inequity.
EDUC 200 - Introduction to HS/MS/K12 Teaching: Introduction to teaching methods including instructional and assessment strategies. Emphasis on direct teaching, interactive instructional strategies and assessment strategies that develop the skills and processes needed to help K-12 students acquire foundational, conceptual and procedural knowledge. Prerequisite(s): EDUC 101 or EDUC 196; PSYC 100. Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 290.
EDUC 235 - Educational Technology in K-12 Classroom: Introduces preservice teachers to curricular uses of computers and related technologies and applications for teaching and learning in grades K-12. Prerequisite(s): EDUC 101 or concurrent enrollment.
EDUC 320 - Equitable Learning Environments: Elementary: Examination of management models and strategies, as well as school policy related to discipline. There is an emphasis on teaching for equity and change. Approaches to making classrooms, curricula and instructional strategies culturally responsive are studied. Prerequisite(s): Education majors: Admission to the Teacher Education Program. Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 324, EDUC 326 and EDUC 391. Power Structures. iCon(s): Challenging Inequity.
EDUC 330 - Teaching Students With Disabilities: Examines issues and current trends within inclusive and special education as well as overviews the characteristics of persons with disabilities including multi-cultural perspectives and legal issues. Explores instructional models and methods that have empirical support for their effectiveness in addressing the learning needs of students at-risk for or with identified disabilities. Emphasis is placed on the importance and challenges associated with the role of general educator within inclusive classrooms. Candidates also explores the selection, adaptation and development of instructional supports related to lesson design, presentation, materials, assignments and assessment/evaluation. This course includes 15 hours of required field experience. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Teacher Education Program.
EDUC 340 - HS/MS Methods: English: Current research and methods of teaching English (literature, composition and language) at the high school and middle school level are explored. Consideration is given to such issues as instructional planning in a multicultural setting, teaching reading in the content areas and writing across the curriculum. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Teacher Education Program, EDUC 322 and EDUC 360. Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 403 and EDUC 490. Cardinal Directions Designation(s): Arts, Writing Intensive.
EDUC 360 - HS/MS Content Area Literacies: Examines the current research, curricular goals and methods of effectively teaching literacy learning in 6-12 classrooms. Preservice teachers develop an understanding of the reading process, demands of academic literacies and characteristics of adolescent learners. Students are exposed to targeted reading instructions for struggling adolescent readers as well as readers from linguistic and culturally diverse backgrounds and apply strategies for teaching reading within their specific disciplines. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Teacher Education Program. Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 322 and EDUC 390. iCon(s): Being Human.

Field Experiences: Applying Theory to Practice

A crucial component of the North Central College teacher education programs is the emphasis on field experiences. These experiences provide teacher candidates with opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world classroom settings. Partnerships with area school districts pair students with top-quality mentors and offer a wide range of rigorous field experiences in both high-performing and high-need settings.

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EDUC 290 - HS/MS/K12 Field Experience I: Introductory experience in directed observation and participation at selected attendance centers (50 clock hours). This course is graded pass/no pass. Students are required to provide proof of health insurance. Registration for this course at least 15 days prior to the first day of the term is strongly encouraged as additional background checks may be required; an additional fee could be incurred based on district requirements for background checks. Background check required. Tuberculosis test required. Prerequisite(s): Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 200.
EDUC 291 - Elementary Field Experience I: Introductory experience in directed observation and participation at selected attendance centers (50 clock hours). This course is graded pass/no pass. Students are required to provide proof of health insurance. Registration for this course at least 15 days prior to the first day of the term is strongly encouraged as additional background checks may be required; an additional fee could be incurred based on district requirements for background checks. Background check required. Tuberculosis test required. Concurrent enrollment in EDUC 228 and EDUC 260 or MUED 351.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program: An Alternative Pathway to Licensure

North Central College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than education and are seeking Illinois teacher licensure. The program prepares candidates to be culturally responsive and sustaining, curious, engaged, ethical, and purposeful teachers and leaders in local, national and global educational environments.

MAT Program Features

100% coursework online with on-site field experience
Choose Elementary or Secondary licensure with option to add on Learning Behavior Specialist endorsement and middle grades teaching endorsement
Dedicated support during the admissions process and close mentorship from expert faculty
Assistance finding field and student teaching placements
Reduce cost of tuition by 20% through the Education Alliance Partnership

MAT Application Requirements

In order to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching program Elementary Education Licensure track, candidates must have:

An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

MAT Content Exams

Prior to starting student teaching, candidates pursuing elementary education licensure are required to take an Elementary Education Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Content Area Exam and receive a passing score. Students may choose to take this exam before beginning the Master of Arts in Teaching program at North Central, or after the program has begun.

Additional Programs and Opportunities

Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies

The Education Department provides a path to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Education Studies for students who seek to work in education settings that do not require Illinois State Board of Education licensure. In many cases, students will seek the B.A. in Education Studies when indicators are that licensure is no longer attainable or desirable. Others may seek the B.A. as a career path to working with children and young adults in education-related careers.

Foundations of Teacher Education Associate Degree

The Foundations of Teacher Education Associate Degree program prepares qualified individuals to work directly with learners under the supervision of a licensed teacher. The duties include assisting children with math, science, reading, and writing assignments as well as handling classroom management, clerical and other tasks related to instruction. In addition, instructional assistants work on classroom displays, assist children with computers and media, and supervise various classroom and other school events. Duties may also include monitoring student activities, assisting with reading, correcting papers, tutoring, one-on-one activities and small group facilitation. Instructional Assistants may be hired to provide instructional services to students from Pre-kindergarten through high school.

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Invest in Your Future

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