2011-12 Application to Teacher Education

Programs

September 2011

I.  General Information

Last Name: First Name: Initial:

Hanover College ID number: Unit:

Student Cell Phone:

Student Permanent (Home) Address:

Student Campus Residence:

Academic Advisor:

Major: Minor:

CHOOSE ONE ONLY

Student status:

Sophomore Junior Senior

II.  Academic Standing Requirements

PRAXIS I (PPST) Exam Scores must be sent to Hanover College (School Code RA1290) and a copy of the report included with the application. This report is generally forwarded to the Education Office by the Registrar. For information – please visit

(All three sections of the Praxis must be successfully completed PRIOR to applying to either of the Education programs)

Reading (176 to pass)

Writing (172 to pass)

Mathematics (175 to pass)

Composite Score (Minimum for appeal is 527)

Current GPA per transcript from the Registrar’s Office (2.5 minimum):

Previous College/University attended:

City State Dates

III.  Informed Consent

I certify that all information contained herein is correct and true to the best of my knowledge and herewith apply for admission to a teacher certification program at Hanover College. I am fully aware of the admission policy and criteria for admission, which includes:

1.  a minimum 2.5 grade point average to be admitted to the program

2.  a minimum 2.67 grade point average will be required in both the major and cumulatively prior to any student teaching assignment.

  1. a very strong written essay (as described further on page 4)
  2. passing scores on ALL three sections of the Praxis I, PPST exam (a composite score minimum of 527+ may be considered by TEC)
  3. two written faculty recommendations (either Recommendation Form or Letter of Recommendation) from Hanover College professors (at least one of which is from a professor who has instructed you in a class)
  4. this completed application, including the Release of Records form
  5. a clear criminal history background check

* The minimum of 2.67 GPA will be calculated according to the academic major course requirement grades completed at Hanover College and could include successfully completed alternative courses completed off-campus at an accredited institution of higher education. Grades for transfer credits will only be considered for teaching certification qualifications, and will not be officially factored into your Hanover College major GPA. Only Hanover College grades are considered as part of your major and overall GPAs for graduation purposes.

I also understand that all information in this application, including a copy of my transcripts, remains confidential and only available for TEC and my review. If I disagree with decisions regarding my application, an appeal process is available to me.

Date: Signature of Applicant:

IV.  Program Identification

A. Please check your preferred (one) area of teacher certification below.

General Elementary Education Degree (grades K – 6)

My declared Liberal Arts minor is:

NOTE: Elementary Education majors are required to have a Liberal Arts Minor.

I DO intend to pursue certification to become a licensed classroom teacher and understand that this will include a student teacher assignment to complete the program.

I DO NOT intend to pursue certification to become a licensed teacher.

Secondary Education (grades 5-12)

My declared Liberal Arts major is:

B. If you choose a Secondary Education Program, please check your intended teaching area, including supporting areas where applicable.

Fine Arts: Visual Arts

Fine Arts: Theatre Arts

English (Language Arts)

French

German

Spanish

Mathematics

Social Studies: History (U.S. and World Civilization)

Social Studies: Government (Political Science major)

Physical Education and Health (dual certification only)

Biology/Life Science (Biology or Environmental Science major)

Earth Space Science (Geology major)

Physics

My declared Liberal Arts minor is:

NOTE: No minors are listed on licensing.

V. Hanover College Recommendations

Please note the following recommendation requirements:

Two (2) written recommendations from Hanover College professors are required. This may be in the form of a letter or the recommendation form (attached).

At least one (1) of your recommendations must be from a professor who has taught you in class. It is recommended that you choose faculty members in your major or minor field of study, but it is strongly advised that recommendations be submitted by other professors than the Education faculty, even in the case of Elementary Education majors.

Professors who are currently serving on T.E.C. are not eligible to submit recommendations. (2011-12: Aguilar-Monsalve, Buchman, Dee, Philipp, Prince, Santa Cruz, Tomsen, Williams)

Please allow professors plenty of time to write and submit a letter or form as many faculty members have numerous requests of this type. You should supply the professor with a copy of this application to help them speak to your qualifications. Please provide below the names of the professors that you will be asking to recommend you to the Education program:

1. 

2. 

VI.  Critical Information

  1. Participation in varsity sports is not recommended during the term of a candidate’s student teaching assignment. Individual decisions regarding participation will be made after a joint meeting with the Athletic Director, student teacher, Education supervisor, and mentor or cooperating teacher. Please see the Athletic Participation Agreement in the Department of Education Handbook.

2.  In accordance with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Hanover College guidelines, the following grade point averages are required overall and in the major course of study:

·  GPA of 2.5 at Decision Point One (time of application - sophomore year)

·  GPA of 2.6 at Decision Point Two (methods courses – junior year)

·  GPA of 2.67 at Decision Point Three (student teaching – senior year)

VII.  Release of Records

As a condition of admittance to the Education Program, the faculty and staff of the Education Department of Hanover College have the authority to do the following:

·  Obtain your grades and transcript from the Registrar.

·  Obtain information pertaining to your student judicial record (charges, judicial findings, and sanctions) from the Student Life Office.

·  Obtain information pertaining to your student academic records from S.A.A.C. (Student Academic Assistance Committee) regarding your academic integrity.

·  Require a Limited Criminal History Report

·  Share the above with the Hanover College Teacher Education Committee (TEC), participating schools for student field work, and state licensing agencies.

Authorization

I, , have read the above and authorize these offices to release information pertaining to my judicial record, academic record, grades, and criminal history to the Education Department at Hanover College. I understand that TEC will pay attention to such issues as any and all forms of harassment and academic dishonesty. I am advised that if there is any incident or behavior that the Teacher Education Committee needs to be aware of, I should let the Committee know in writing as part of this application. My explanation of such an incident/behavior and/or the omission of such, will be included as part of the deliberations by the Teacher Education Committee regarding my admission to the Education Program.

Student Signature:

Printed Name:

Date: Education Dept. Witness Signature:

(actual signature must be on file in Newby Hall if submitted electronically)

Application Writing Assignment

TEC urges you to utilize The Hanover College Learning Center to help you turn in your best work. Your application essay will be evaluated on:

1)  The ability to communicate your personal commitment to and understanding of teaching and learning (voice, complexity, and breadth)

2)  The quality of your writing (organization, use of language, grammar, and mechanics).

3)  Meets the expectations of the attached rubric. Select the option that will allow you to show most effectively your strengths as a writer and as a teacher candidate in at least 1,000 words (approximately 4 pages). The essay should be typed and double-spaced. All papers must include:

·  title from options below – may also personalize

·  your name

·  page numbers

·  date of completion.

Option 1: Philosophy of Teaching and Learning. Use this essay as a way to introduce yourself to the Teacher Education Committee. Keeping in mind that liking children or adolescents is not a philosophy of education, write an essay that responds to some of the following questions. Why are you drawn to teaching as a career? What attitudes and characteristics make a teacher effective? What principles and beliefs about teaching and learning will guide your practice as a future teacher? How will you strive to engage your students in content knowledge and subject matter? How can and should a teacher create a positive classroom environment? Include supporting details and examples.

Option 2: Education in the 21st Century United States. Use this essay as a way to introduce yourself to the Teacher Education Committee. In this paper discuss what the role of education is and ought to be in a democracy such as the United States in the 21st century. Some things to consider during your preparation of the essay might : Why does one need to be educated in a democracy? How does education affect one in a democracy? Given your responses to these preliminary questions, what sort of teacher will you be to meet these expectations? What sort of experiences will students have in your future classroom as a result of these expectations? How will the education that occurs there prepare students to be fully participating members of a democracy? Include supporting details and examples.

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Scoring Rubric

Education Program Application Essay/Philosophy of Education Assignment

Commitment/Voice / Content- Complexity / Content -Breadth / Organization / Language Quality / Standard English usage
Student reveals a strong
commitment to teaching and learning. Writing shows strong
evidence of voice. / Content reveals significant complexity, sophistication of ideas, and depth of understanding. / Content clearly addresses
the prompt with significant
use of details, examples, and supporting evidence. / Writing shows exceptional organization with clear transitions. The author leads the reader carefully from one idea to the next. / Writing exhibits exceptional use of descriptive and figurative language, and references. / Writing has no errors in Standard English usage, grammar, and/or mechanics.
Student reveals an adequate commitment to teaching and learning. Writing shows
some evidence of voice.
. / Content reveals some
depth and complexity of ideas. / Content addresses the prompt with good use of details, examples, and supporting evidence. / Writing has logical and coherent organization. / Writing exhibits adequate use of descriptive and figurative language, and references. / Writing has a few errors in Standard English usage, grammar, and/or mechanics.
Student reveals some commitment to teaching and learning. Writing shows
limited evidence of voice. / Content reveals limited
depth and complexity of ideas. / Content addresses the prompt with some use of details, examples, and supporting evidence. / Writing has lapses in organization and/or coherence. / Writing exhibits some use of descriptive and figurative language, and references. / Writing has some errors in Standard English usage, grammar, and/or mechanics.
Student reveals a limited commitment to teaching and learning. Writing shows no
evidence of voice. / Content reveals little or no depth or complexity of ideas. / Content addresses the prompt in a limited way without supporting examples and details. / Writing shows random and/or weak organization. / Writing exhibits limited use of descriptive and figurative language, and references. / Writing has substantial errors in Standard English usage, grammar, and/or mechanics.

Rubric Revised February 2006

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TEACHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Request for Recommendation

Dear Hanover College Professor:

Click to Insert Name Of Education Program Applicant is applying for admission to the Teacher Education program. As part of the application process, this individual has chosen to ask you to submit a recommendation to T.E.C. in their behalf. This may be in the form of a formal letter of recommendation or completion of the Recommendation Form on the reverse of this page. The Teacher Education Committee requires two recommendations for a complete application. Please help us make an informed decision on this applicant. You may choose not to write a recommendation for a particular student if you feel you do not know the student adequately to do so or if you do not feel you can recommend the student to the program. Members of the Teacher Education Committee or Education faculty are not eligible to submit recommendations. We sincerely thank you for assisting in this process.

Please include some of the following information within your letter:

·  Your relationship to the candidate

·  Ability of the candidate to earn the required 2.5 grade point average to enter the program, and reach the required 2.67 to begin student teaching.

·  Suitability of the candidate to teaching, for example:

Ø  Ability to identify major concepts in the discipline you teach

Ø  Ability to see relationships between disciplines

Ø  Ability to work with others

Ø  Communication skills (writing, speaking, non-verbal)

Ø  Critical thinking and problem solving on one’s own work, as well as work of others

Ø  Openness to cultural and belief differences among students

Ø  Dedication to being a life-long learner

Ø  Solid work ethic

Please submit this letter of recommendation or the faculty recommendation form to the Hanover College Education Department’s Administrative Assistant, Cheryl Torline, either by sending a hard copy via campus mail or by sending as an email attachment to .

FACULTY RECOMMENDATION FORM FOR THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

NAME OF APPLICANT:

PROFESSOR NAME: POSITION:

Outstanding / Very Good / Average / Below / N/A
I. Intellectual skills: ability to understand major concepts in discipline.
II. Critical thinking and problem solving skills:
III. Group work: able to work with others in a cooperative group setting
IV. Participation in class
V. Solid work ethic:
VI. Work habits:
1.  Homework
2.  Assignments on time
VII. Communication skills:
1. written
2. oral
VIII. Openness to cultural and belief differences
IX. Attitude in class
X. Likelihood of success in teaching children/adolescents

In what capacity have you known the applicant?