Self-Designed: MS in Education

Effective teachers are leaders who make a positive difference in classrooms, schools, and society.  Education professionals explore what it means to be a teacher leader in today's diverse and changing educational landscape, while gaining expertise in current research-based educational advancements.  They examine their values, beliefs, vision, and mission, and they explore teacher effectiveness in relation to their role in the larger context of the teaching profession. They collaborate in professional learning communities and advocate for students and other educators in order to promote positive social change. They synthesize their learning throughout the course and use this knowledge to enhance professional growth and development.

In this course, education professionals explore the value of linguistic and cultural diversity and the powerful learning opportunities it affords today's classrooms and schools. They examine their attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding linguistically and culturally diverse students, families, and communities, and they learn approaches for working together to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Through real-world observations, they assess strategies for ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning experiences. Education professionals also explore effective practices, such as cultural responsiveness, anti-bias curriculum, differentiated instruction, and academic vocabulary development. Endorsement candidates must complete special education endorsement courses and receive a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to moving into MS in Education courses.)

Education professionals examine the value of adapting the learning environment for multiple diverse populations within the classroom. They explore their attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding diverse students, families, and communities, and they learn approaches for working together to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Through real-world application, they assess and implement high-quality learning experiences that provide equitable access to promote positive social change. Education professionals incorporate their students' background experiences and differentiate instruction using effective practices so all P–12 students have the opportunities and resources to learn.

Education professionals use action research in a variety of ways to positively impact P–12 student learning. They examine, design, and implement action research. They address relevant problems, become involved in collaborative inquiry, use data and research to inform their practice, improve P–12 student academic success, and contribute to positive social change in their classrooms and school environments. Education professionals collect and analyze student data, develop and implement data-informed decisions to guide instructional planning, and engage in reflective practices to ensure continuous improvement and enhance professional growth.

Professional educators must have the knowledge and skill to make important decisions regarding what students learn and how they will learn it to ensure student success. In this course, education professionals engage in a research-based process for designing and mapping curriculum that motivates students and promotes academic success. Beginning with the end in mind, education professionals identify clear learning goals and big ideas, create authentic assessments, and develop essential questions to guide effective instructional planning and ongoing assessments using their district or state standards and/or benchmarks. They also apply the curriculum design process to a subject area they teach, keeping in mind the influence of learning environment, family involvement, and social development on the design process.

The practice of differentiating instruction is a way for educators to meet diverse learning needs and preferences without having to individualize instruction for every student. In this course, education professionals learn how to differentiate five instructional elements—content, product, process, affect, and learning environment—according to  students’ interests, readiness, and learning profile. They explore flexible grouping and managing the differentiated classroom. Using their classroom curriculum, they plan and implement differentiated lessons and align them to important learning goals, essential questions, and formative and summative assessments while ensuring that their instruction includes meaningful applications of knowledge. Education professionals also learn how to draw on resources, such as staff, community members, and educators to support the “whole” child in the learning process.

In this course, education professionals maximize learning for every student in the class—no matter how far behind or ahead he or she may be. With this course, teachers examine student differences, learn how and when to differentiate their instruction, and learn how to use assessment to adjust their instructional planning. Education professionals work with curriculum and standards, using differentiation strategies to design lessons that can be applied immediately with the students. Education professionals learn how to:Analyze and summarize student differences based on readiness, interest, and learning profile.Evaluate and plan changes to one's learning environment to better support differentiated instruction.Develop classroom organization and management routines to address student readiness, interest, and learning profile.

Education professionals in this course are helped to develop skills and strategies to prepare students for living and learning productively in today’s society. They complete a variety of assignments designed to provide practical application of course content, such as designing a lesson in which they integrate habits of mind with other instructional elements to achieve multiple outcomes. They also create a rubric that allows students to demonstrate learning in each area of the lesson. Additionally, they reflect on the theories, concepts, and strategies learned in the course and consider the influence of new knowledge on future personal and professional endeavors. Through this course, education professionals learn how to help students manage, motivate, and modify their own learning as a continuing lifelong process.

As the classroom changes, so does the role of a teacher. Teachers may find themselves acting more as coaches and facilitators as their students become more active in their own learning. In this course, teaching professionals will explore how to foster and encourage self-directedness in their students and create a learning environment that encourages collaboration and creativity. Teaching professionals learn how to help their students manage their own learning and inspire them to develop the skills they need to thrive. Teaching professionals learn how to:Identify the characteristics of self­-directedness in one's self and one's students.Help students refine their thinking beyond the first "right" answer.Examine various ways to provide feedback that will help students produce high-quality work.  

To support the reading and literacy development of all students, education professionals need to understand the factors that may influence literacy learning including language development, educational research and policies, and instructional practices to promote the development of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In this course, education professionals explore theoretical and historical perspectives on literacy education and consider the influence of cognitive, linguistic, sociocultural, and psychological development on the literacy learning of PreK-6 students. Education professionals have the opportunity to examine current educational policies and initiatives including the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards. Education professionals consider the role of research in informing literacy instruction and apply effective instructional practices including practical approaches for implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI) model and incorporating new literacies and technology tools to support literacy instruction.

The intermediate grades present unique challenges to literacy learning including complexity of text, students' use of technology, student motivation to learn, and explicit and implicit gender issues exhibited in the classroom. Education professionals are provided with opportunities to evaluate research-based instructional and assessment practices to help students in grades 4–6 to actively engage in literacy learning and achieve the literacy goals of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards. Education professionals examine the role of literacy in content area learning, explore ways to teach close reading of complex texts, and consider how to incorporate different levels, types, and genres of text to support all students' learning and literacy development. The focus of the coursework is on effective strategies to support writing about text, content-area specialization vocabulary, listening and speaking, and the effective use of technology tools to support content area reading.

The intermediate grades present unique challenges to literacy learning including complexity of text, students' use of technology, student motivation to learn, and explicit and implicit gender issues exhibited in the classroom. Education professionals are provided with opportunities to evaluate research-based instructional and assessment practices to help students in grades 4–6 to actively engage in literacy learning and achieve the literacy goals of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards. Education professionals examine the role of literacy in content area learning, explore ways to teach close reading of complex texts, and consider how to incorporate different levels, types, and genres of text to support all students' learning and literacy development. The focus of the coursework is on effective strategies to support writing about text, content-area specialization vocabulary, listening and speaking, and the effective use of technology tools to support content area reading.

Today's classrooms require competent and confident teachers to support both students who struggle with reading and those who excel. Education professionals in this course focus on accelerating the literacy development of students with reading difficulties, including students who have specific learning disabilities, and addressing the needs of high-achieving students. Through coursework, education professionals have opportunities to examine informal and formal assessments, the use of data to inform instruction, and practical guidelines for implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI) model. Education professionals explore concepts and strategies, including collaboration with support resources, methods to differentiate and scaffold instruction, progress monitoring, leveling books, intervention strategies, and the use of motivating texts and technology tools to support student learning.

Today's classrooms require teachers to become competent and confident in supporting both students who struggle with reading and writing and those who excel. Education professionals in this course focus on accelerating the literacy development of students with reading difficulties, including students who have specific learning disabilities, and on addressing the needs of gifted students. Through coursework, education professionals have opportunities to examine informal and formal assessments, the use of data to inform instruction, and practical guidelines for implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI) model. Education professionals explore concepts and strategies, including collaboration with support resources, methods to differentiate and scaffold instruction, progress monitoring, leveling books, intervention strategies, and the use of motivating texts and technology tools to support student learning.

As new and emerging technologies transform the landscape of education, the possibilities for learning and discovery grow exponentially. Through this course, education professionals examine the history and evolution of technology in society and its influence on education. Education professionals explore technology as a vehicle for broad access, and they employ a variety of digital-age tools, including social networking, interactive learning tools, and collaboration software, to inspire and motivate today’s learners. They also explore and discuss ethical considerations, responsible use, and cyber safety issues. Through practical applications, such as designing a lesson that incorporates blogs, wikis, or podcasts, they gain hands-on experience integrating technology into the classroom.

In this course, education professionals expand their focus of technology use in the classroom by exploring instructional strategies and digital tools that facilitate content area literacy and learning. Education professionals learn how to design technology-infused projects that motivate students and help them meet specific curricular standards. They also explore developmentally appropriate ways of using multimedia and Internet technologies to bring discipline-specific concepts to life and foster interdisciplinary connections that enhance learning across the curriculum.

Through this course, education professionals consider the future of teaching and learning, discover promising trends in technology, and investigate opportunities to become leaders in the field of technology and learning. They consider how to address school-wide challenges, such as limited resources and resistance to change, and they explore skills and strategies, such as grant writing and leading change. Additionally, they complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability and willingness to become advocates and change agents who use technology to address challenges and create opportunities within the field of education.

Through this course, education professionals consider the future of teaching and learning, discover promising trends in technology, and investigate opportunities to become leaders in the field of technology and learning. They consider how to address school-wide challenges, such as limited resources and resistance to change, and they explore skills and strategies, such as grant writing and leading change. Additionally, they complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability and willingness to become advocates and change agents who use technology to address challenges and create opportunities within the field of education. 

To foster high levels of learning and achievement in math, teachers must first have a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and know how best to teach them. In this course,  teachers of K—8 mathematics are introduced to exciting ideas and practices to address their own learning and teaching of mathematics. Authentic and engaging mathematics experiences, including modeling, representing mathematical ideas in multiple ways, and identifying and addressing student misconceptions, are emphasized. Educators engage in effective practices for fostering students' ability to reason, analyze conceptual relationships, and persist in solving challenging problems. Connections across mathematics topics, skills, and levels as well as educational policies that impact the learning and teaching of mathematics are emphasized in this course. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, including the Standards for Mathematical Practice, and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) practices are frameworks for addressing fundamental principles and skills.

Measurement and geometry are often challenging topics for elementary students, but they represent some of the most visible uses of mathematics in students' day-to-day lives. In this course, educators learn strategies for connecting these topics to other mathematical concepts, including fractions, decimals, and the number system. In geometry, educators move beyond strategies for developing a familiarity with basic shapes and their properties to explore higher-order tasks that involve geometric thinking, measurement concepts, and proportional relationships. Using data as a context to support students' learning of these mathematical ideas, educators have the opportunity to explore real-world problems and collect, represent, and interpret data.

Understanding fraction concepts is a critical foundation for learning about proportional relationships and developing algebraic concepts. In this course, educators learn how to extend students' knowledge of whole numbers and basic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, division—to fractions and decimals. Educators learn instructional practices to help students understand, represent, develop, and engage in rational number operations with meaning, proficiency, and precision. They also investigate ways to foster deep conceptual understandings of ratios, rates, and proportional relationships, thus building in students the critical skill of proportional reasoning. Educators consider how proportional reasoning builds a bridge to the study of other important mathematical topics, including geometry, measurement, and data as well as the use of proportionality as a connecting thread throughout the elementary and middle math curriculum.

To foster high levels of learning and achievement in math, teachers must first have a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and know how best to teach them. In this course,  teachers of K—8 mathematics are introduced to exciting ideas and practices to address their own learning and teaching of mathematics. Authentic and engaging mathematics experiences, including modeling, representing mathematical ideas in multiple ways, and identifying and addressing student misconceptions, are emphasized. Educators engage in effective practices for fostering students' ability to reason, analyze conceptual relationships, and persist in solving challenging problems. Connections across mathematics topics, skills, and levels as well as educational policies that impact the learning and teaching of mathematics are emphasized in this course. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, including the Standards for Mathematical Practice, and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) practices are frameworks for addressing fundamental principles and skills.

Understanding the relationship among geometry and measurement and solving problems using day-to-day real life experiences can motivate and guide students' thinking and reasoning around these concepts. In this course, middle mathematics teachers learn strategies to connect geometric thinking and measurement to other topics and develop their own conceptual understanding of geometry and measurement by learning what it means to estimate and measure attributes of objects and how to develop fundamental measurement concepts and skills. In this course educators are challenged and supported as they engage in opportunities to foster students' mathematical processes, proficiencies, and habits of mind around the concepts of shape, spatial relationships, and measurement, including estimation.

Understanding data, probability, and statistics is critical to making sense of the vast amounts of information available in today's world. Educators taking this course have authentic contexts for collecting, representing, and interpreting data, and they reinforce essential number concepts in promoting students' ability to think statistically. Middle mathematics teachers focus on using data as a context for developing a variety of mathematical topics and as an important step toward understanding statistical ideas and processes. The goal of this course is to develop educators' understanding and pedagogical practices so that they can promote their students' ability to use data, probability, and statistics to better understand real-world issues and to solve a wide range of relevant and engaging problems in many contexts.

Education professionals can investigate the nature and history of science and the role science plays in 21st-century life. They can discover unifying themes across all areas of science such as scientific inquiry, systems and energy, models and scale, constancy and change, ecology and the environment, and form and function. Education professionals can explore environmental science and apply the scientific tools of inquiry, discovery, hypothesis, and theory to facilitate their own learning in science and to foster engaging and motivating scientific learning in their students.

Education professionals take a journey of discovery and explore the components of the living world, including plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms as well as their ecology in this course. They can learn about the controversy that persists in the scientific community about what makes an organism alive and discover how organisms interact with each other and their environments. Education professionals use inquiry methods to develop learning experiences to engage their own students in exploring these ideas in the classroom.

Education professionals can investigate timeless questions about how the Earth fits into time and space. Explorations will span from ocean depths to the breadth of the universe in this course. They examine earthly and other-world phenomena, such as weather, climate, volcanoes, earthquakes, planetary systems, and supernovae, and explore the similarities and differences between this world and other worlds. Transferring this scientific knowledge to classroom instruction will be emphasized.

Social entrepreneurs are gaining international attention motivated by the desire for change and to see the world as it can be, not as it is. Students in the course will learn how social entrepreneurs have developed creative solutions to address social problems. The intention of the course is to develop knowledge, appreciate of the role of social entrepreneurs who create social change, deepen students' understanding of the world around them, and inspire them to use their skills and knowledge to be, as Gandhi said, "the change you wish to see in the world."Students in this course will gain knowledge about social entrepreneurs and how they are creating solutions to address societal problems, learn how to develop creative solutions to address social problems, and empower students to see social entrepreneurship as a force for social change. The course is designed for those who want to gain valuable tools to prepare them to make an impact on the lives of others. This course will be housed in the School of Public Policy and Administration for future upgrades and course maintenance.

Grant writing is the method by which external funding can be secured by educational institutions, community organizations, and nonprofit agencies to provide services to the community. In this course, students will understand processes and gain basic skills needed for successful grant writing. These processes and skills consist of developing a project idea, identifying a funding agency, writing a compelling needs statement with goals and measurable objectives, developing a budget, collaborating with other people, submitting the grant application, understanding the grant review process, responding to the review, and managing the grant award. Course assignments allow students to apply and practice grant writing skills by developing a grant proposal based on an actual Request for Proposal (RFP).

Through this course, education professionals consider the future of teaching and learning, discover promising trends in technology, and investigate opportunities to become leaders in the field of technology and learning. They consider how to address school-wide challenges, such as limited resources and resistance to change, and they explore skills and strategies, such as grant writing and leading change. Additionally, they complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability and willingness to become advocates and change agents who use technology to address challenges and create opportunities within the field of education. 

Leaders in the early childhood field must have in-depth understanding of the critical issues and trends affecting young children, their families, and the field. Education professionals in this course explore changing demographics; political and economic influence on programmatic funding streams; current debates related to school success, effective assessment and the achievement gap; and brain research influence on early development, care, and education from a historical and current perspective. Sharing perspectives and making connections with the professional world, educational professionals post blogs to establish contacts with early childhood professionals; reach out to international contacts in the field to gain an understanding of poverty issues in different regions, issues related to excellence at the forefront of professional discussions, and insights on further development opportunities; and share web resources, such as websites and e-newsletters. 

Special educators in today's schools are responsible for working with a team to evaluate and assess to determine eligibility, create educational plans, and evaluate progress.  In order to do this, they must be aware of and be able to implement culturally responsive, valid, and reliable practices. In this course, candidates will synthesize formal and informal assessments to monitor progress and analyze achievement to drive instructional strategies and assistive technologies for students with exceptionalities.

Behavior greatly impacts all students' ability to learn. Special educators are the most frequently called-upon professionals to evaluate, assess, and create behavior interventions whether a student is in a self-contained classroom or an inclusive setting. Candidates will be presented with a case study and reflect together on the behavior by identifying the antecedents and consequences presented. Furthermore, they will develop intervention strategies and share resources of evidence-based practices for improving behavior.

Behavior greatly impacts all students' ability to learn. Special educators are the most frequently called upon professionals to evaluate, assess, and create behavior interventions whether a student is in a self-contained classroom or an inclusive setting.  Candidates will be presented with a case study and reflect together on the behavior by identifying the antecedents and consequences presented. Furthermore, they will develop intervention strategies and share resources of evidence-based practices for improving behavior. 

Reading, writing, and communication are literacy competencies that impact the quality of life for all people, especially individuals with exceptionalities. Special education professionals will devise appropriate and effective interventions for individuals with exceptionalities. Candidates will engage in a variety of conceptual and application-based assignments that emphasize ongoing assessment of literacy skills, strategies, and dispositions. Additional areas of emphasis include cultural and linguistic diversity, assistive technologies, and inclusive environments.

Reading, writing, and communication are literacy competencies that impact the quality of life for all people, especially individuals with exceptionalities. Special education professionals will devise appropriate and effective interventions for individuals with exceptionalities. Candidates will engage in a variety of conceptual and application-based assignments that emphasize ongoing assessment of literacy skills, strategies, and dispositions. Additional areas of emphasis include cultural and linguistic diversity, assistive technologies, and inclusive environments.

The focus of teacher leadership expands from self to students, increasing the sphere of influence of the teacher leader to the classroom context in this course. Education professionals concentrate on advancing their expertise in the field of teaching by increasing their knowledge and skills in three key areas: knowledge of learners and learning; knowledge of subject matter and curriculum goals; and knowledge of effective teaching models, strategies, and practices. They learn to apply this expertise in the classroom in ways that directly affect the learning and achievement of their students.

In this course, the focus on teacher leadership extends from self to students, increasing the sphere of influence of the teacher leader to the classroom context. Teachers concentrate on advancing their expertise as teaching professionals by increasing their knowledge and skills in three key areas: knowledge of learners and learning; knowledge of subject matter and curriculum goals; and knowledge of effective teaching models, strategies, and practices. Teacher leaders apply this expertise in the classroom.

Education professionals address teacher leadership in the context of advancing the expertise and leadership of peers, thereby expanding education professionals’ spheres of influence beyond the walls of the classroom. They explore mentoring and coaching models designed to promote the professional growth of their colleagues. They learn and apply skills for mentoring novice teachers and for engaging in coaching relationships with peers at all stages of the teacher development cycle. Through conceptual and application-based activities, education professionals address various forms of collaboration with colleagues, focusing on interpersonal and communication skills.

The sphere of influence for education professionals is extended from working with peers to engaging with stakeholders throughout the greater school community in this course. Education professionals learn the processes, benefits, and challenges of building and working in learning communities to identify issues and solve problems that affect student learning and achievement. They consider professional growth and development as an integral part of various types of school improvement processes. Additionally, they engage in a variety of practical assignments, such as an analysis of their own school’s development of mission, vision, values, goals, and communication elements as a professional learning community.

In this course, the sphere of influence of teacher leaders extends from working with peers to engaging with stakeholders throughout the greater school community. Teacher leaders learn the processes, benefits, and challenges of building and working in learning communities to identify issues and solve problems that impact student learning and achievement. Professional growth and development are addressed as an integral part of various types of school improvement processes.

Professional educators must have the knowledge and skill to make important decisions regarding what students learn and how they will learn it to ensure student success. In this course, education professionals engage in a research-based process for designing and mapping curriculum that motivates students and promotes academic success. Beginning with the end in mind, education professionals identify clear learning goals and big ideas, create authentic assessments, and develop essential questions to guide effective instructional planning and ongoing assessments using their district or state standards and/or benchmarks. They also apply the curriculum design process to a subject area they teach, keeping in mind the influence of learning environment, family involvement, and social development on the design process.

In this course, education professionals examine classroom curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the context of standards and accountability. The importance of alignment of these components and resulting impact on student learning are emphasized. Educators explore learning theory, learner variables, and the need for differentiation to meet diverse learning needs. Multiple purposes and methods of assessment as well as effective approaches to grading and reporting will be discussed. Using their state or district standards, educators engage in a process for designing standards-driven classroom curriculum, instruction, and assessment that will meet the diverse learning needs of their students. Endorsement candidates must complete special education endorsement courses and receive a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to moving into MS in Education courses.)

Education professionals ensure continuous improvement for student learning through attention to the relationship among classroom curriculum, instruction, and assessment in standards-based educational systems. They explore learning theory, learner variables, and the need for differentiation to meet diverse learning needs. Education professionals design educational experiences for P–12 students using data-informed practices in order to promote student learning, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge and skills in technology-rich environments.

In this course, education professionals explore the value of linguistic and cultural diversity and the powerful learning opportunities it affords today's classrooms and schools. They examine their attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding linguistically and culturally diverse students, families, and communities, and they learn approaches for working together to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Through real-world observations, they assess strategies for ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning experiences. Education professionals also explore effective practices, such as cultural responsiveness, anti-bias curriculum, differentiated instruction, and academic vocabulary development. Endorsement candidates must complete special education endorsement courses and receive a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to moving into MS in Education courses.)

Education professionals examine the value of adapting the learning environment for multiple diverse populations within the classroom. They explore their attitudes, beliefs, and biases regarding diverse students, families, and communities, and they learn approaches for working together to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Through real-world application, they assess and implement high-quality learning experiences that provide equitable access to promote positive social change. Education professionals incorporate their students' background experiences and differentiate instruction using effective practices so all P–12 students have the opportunities and resources to learn.

The focus of teacher leadership expands from self to students, increasing the sphere of influence of the teacher leader to the classroom context in this course. Education professionals concentrate on advancing their expertise in the field of teaching by increasing their knowledge and skills in three key areas: knowledge of learners and learning; knowledge of subject matter and curriculum goals; and knowledge of effective teaching models, strategies, and practices. They learn to apply this expertise in the classroom in ways that directly affect the learning and achievement of their students.

In this course, the focus on teacher leadership extends from self to students, increasing the sphere of influence of the teacher leader to the classroom context. Teachers concentrate on advancing their expertise as teaching professionals by increasing their knowledge and skills in three key areas: knowledge of learners and learning; knowledge of subject matter and curriculum goals; and knowledge of effective teaching models, strategies, and practices. Teacher leaders apply this expertise in the classroom.

Education professionals in this course examine the historical and contemporary perspectives on assessment, including trends in high-stakes assessment and accountability. They learn types and purposes of assessment as well as how to use assessments effectively. Education professionals also analyze strengths and weaknesses of various assessment methods and use ongoing assessments to guide decisions that will improve student performance. They explore and discuss data collecting and analysis, grading, record-keeping, and reporting. Additionally, they learn the importance of student self-assessment and the best ways to support their students in monitoring learning and reflecting on how to improve personal performance.

Education professionals have the opportunity to learn to create safe, supportive, and respectful learning environments that promote social-emotional development, self-responsibility, and character, in order to optimize learning for all students. They can learn how to foster a sense of community in the classroom and develop positive relationships with and among students. Skills and strategies for managing dynamic and flexible classroom structures and for teaching conflict resolution are presented. Educators are also provided with strategies for building positive relationships and engaging in effective communication and problem solving with parents and families. Endorsement candidates must complete special education endorsement courses and receive a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher prior to moving into MS in Education courses.)

Education professionals have the opportunity to learn to create safe, supportive, and respectful learning environments that promote social-emotional development, self-responsibility, and character, in order to optimize learning for all students. They can learn how to foster a sense of community in the classroom and develop positive relationships with and among students. Skills and strategies for managing dynamic and flexible classroom structures and for teaching conflict resolution are presented. Educators are also provided with strategies for building positive relationships and engaging in effective communication and problem solving with parents and families.

The practice of differentiating instruction is a way for educators to meet diverse learning needs and preferences without having to individualize instruction for every student. In this course, education professionals learn how to differentiate five instructional elements—content, product, process, affect, and learning environment—according to  students’ interests, readiness, and learning profile. They explore flexible grouping and managing the differentiated classroom. Using their classroom curriculum, they plan and implement differentiated lessons and align them to important learning goals, essential questions, and formative and summative assessments while ensuring that their instruction includes meaningful applications of knowledge. Education professionals also learn how to draw on resources, such as staff, community members, and educators to support the “whole” child in the learning process.

In this course, education professionals maximize learning for every student in the class—no matter how far behind or ahead he or she may be. With this course, teachers examine student differences, learn how and when to differentiate their instruction, and learn how to use assessment to adjust their instructional planning. Education professionals work with curriculum and standards, using differentiation strategies to design lessons that can be applied immediately with the students. Education professionals learn how to:Analyze and summarize student differences based on readiness, interest, and learning profile.Evaluate and plan changes to one's learning environment to better support differentiated instruction.Develop classroom organization and management routines to address student readiness, interest, and learning profile.

Educators must recognize the importance for all students, including students with special needs, to achieve high academic standards. In this course, education professionals examine the learning challenges of students who, by definition of federal law, have disabilities as well as those of students who have significant difficulty with learning but do not qualify for special education services. Education professionals learn how to adapt curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize learning for students with special needs. They also have the opportunity to evaluate and describe activities and experiences through the perspective of a student with a learning disability, thus gaining empathy and a deeper understanding of how to work with students with special needs.

Educators taking this course emphasize the need for all students, including students with special needs, to achieve high academic standards. They examine the learning challenges of students who, by definition of federal law, have disabilities as well as those of students who have significant difficulty with learning but do not qualify for special education services. Educators learn how to adapt/modify curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize learning for students with special needs.

Education professionals in this course are helped to develop skills and strategies to prepare students for living and learning productively in today’s society. They complete a variety of assignments designed to provide practical application of course content, such as designing a lesson in which they integrate habits of mind with other instructional elements to achieve multiple outcomes. They also create a rubric that allows students to demonstrate learning in each area of the lesson. Additionally, they reflect on the theories, concepts, and strategies learned in the course and consider the influence of new knowledge on future personal and professional endeavors. Through this course, education professionals learn how to help students manage, motivate, and modify their own learning as a continuing lifelong process.

As the classroom changes, so does the role of a teacher. Teachers may find themselves acting more as coaches and facilitators as their students become more active in their own learning. In this course, teaching professionals will explore how to foster and encourage self-directedness in their students and create a learning environment that encourages collaboration and creativity. Teaching professionals learn how to help their students manage their own learning and inspire them to develop the skills they need to thrive. Teaching professionals learn how to:Identify the characteristics of self­-directedness in one's self and one's students.Help students refine their thinking beyond the first "right" answer.Examine various ways to provide feedback that will help students produce high-quality work.  

To support the reading and literacy development of all students, education professionals need to understand the factors that may influence literacy learning including language development, educational research and policies, and instructional practices to promote the development of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In this course, education professionals explore theoretical and historical perspectives on literacy education and consider the influence of cognitive, linguistic, sociocultural, and psychological development on the literacy learning of PreK-6 students. Education professionals have the opportunity to examine current educational policies and initiatives including the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards. Education professionals consider the role of research in informing literacy instruction and apply effective instructional practices including practical approaches for implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI) model and incorporating new literacies and technology tools to support literacy instruction.

Building a strong foundation of literacy skills and experiences in young children is critical to their success in school and life. In this course, educators take a developmental approach to reading and literacy instruction and are provided practical research-based approaches to help P-3 students achieve the literacy goals of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards. The characteristics of emergent and beginning readers are explored, focusing on phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Education professionals evaluate the role of motivation in learning to read and analyze the use of progress monitoring and Response to Intervention (RTI) to support all learners. Through their coursework, educators are provided with opportunities to explore writing, close reading, print concepts, and multiple text genres. Education professionals plan and implement developmentally appropriate assessment and instruction, including technology tools, to support the literacy development of all learners in preschool through third grade.

The intermediate grades present unique challenges to literacy learning including complexity of text, students' use of technology, student motivation to learn, and explicit and implicit gender issues exhibited in the classroom. Education professionals are provided with opportunities to evaluate research-based instructional and assessment practices to help students in grades 4–6 to actively engage in literacy learning and achieve the literacy goals of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards. Education professionals examine the role of literacy in content area learning, explore ways to teach close reading of complex texts, and consider how to incorporate different levels, types, and genres of text to support all students' learning and literacy development. The focus of the coursework is on effective strategies to support writing about text, content-area specialization vocabulary, listening and speaking, and the effective use of technology tools to support content area reading.

The intermediate grades present unique challenges to literacy learning including complexity of text, students' use of technology, student motivation to learn, and explicit and implicit gender issues exhibited in the classroom. Education professionals are provided with opportunities to evaluate research-based instructional and assessment practices to help students in grades 4–6 to actively engage in literacy learning and achieve the literacy goals of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other state standards. Education professionals examine the role of literacy in content area learning, explore ways to teach close reading of complex texts, and consider how to incorporate different levels, types, and genres of text to support all students' learning and literacy development. The focus of the coursework is on effective strategies to support writing about text, content-area specialization vocabulary, listening and speaking, and the effective use of technology tools to support content area reading.

Today's classrooms reflect the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the world outside of school. Educators explore how to establish a responsive classroom where literacy development flourishes for all students, including second language learners and speakers of nonstandard dialects. Education professionals analyze the reading and literacy challenges experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse learners including text complexity, academic vocabulary, and appropriateness of texts and materials. The focus of the coursework is on ways to scaffold and support all literacy learners, including English Language Learners.

Today's classrooms reflect the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the world outside of school. Educators explore how to establish a responsive classroom where literacy development flourishes for all students, including second language learners and speakers of nonstandard dialects. Education professionals analyze the reading and literacy challenges experienced by culturally and linguistically diverse learners including text complexity, academic vocabulary, and appropriateness of texts and materials. The focus of the coursework is on ways to scaffold and support all literacy learners, including English Language Learners. 

Today's classrooms require competent and confident teachers to support both students who struggle with reading and those who excel. Education professionals in this course focus on accelerating the literacy development of students with reading difficulties, including students who have specific learning disabilities, and addressing the needs of high-achieving students. Through coursework, education professionals have opportunities to examine informal and formal assessments, the use of data to inform instruction, and practical guidelines for implementing the Response to Intervention (RTI) model. Education professionals explore concepts and strategies, including collaboration with support resources, methods to differentiate and scaffold instruction, progress monitoring, leveling books, intervention strategies, and the use of motivating texts and technology tools to support student learning.

As new and emerging technologies transform the landscape of education, the possibilities for learning and discovery grow exponentially. Through this course, education professionals examine the history and evolution of technology in society and its influence on education. Education professionals explore technology as a vehicle for broad access, and they employ a variety of digital-age tools, including social networking, interactive learning tools, and collaboration software, to inspire and motivate today’s learners. They also explore and discuss ethical considerations, responsible use, and cyber safety issues. Through practical applications, such as designing a lesson that incorporates blogs, wikis, or podcasts, they gain hands-on experience integrating technology into the classroom.

Education professionals in this course explore various learning theories and research on how the brain processes information as well as how they can use this knowledge to support the use of technology in the classroom. They explore and evaluate various technologies, such as computer-mediated instruction and virtual learning environments, as means to foster learner-centered classrooms where students are motivated. Education professionals also learn how to support and enhance instructional practices using technology and how to integrate developmentally appropriate practices in teaching and learning with the latest digital resources available. Applying course concepts, they revise a lesson plan to support and facilitate student engagement using technology-based cognitive tools.

Education professionals in this course explore various learning theories and research on how the brain processes information as well as how they can use this knowledge to support the use of technology in the classroom. They explore and evaluate various technologies, such as computer-mediated instruction and virtual learning environments, as a means to foster learner-centered classrooms where students are motivated. Education professionals also learn how to support and enhance instructional practices using technology and how to integrate developmentally appropriate practices in teaching and learning with the latest digital resources available. Applying course concepts, they revise a lesson plan to support and facilitate student engagement using technology-based cognitive tools.   

In this course, education professionals develop a new, expanded definition of what it means to be literate in today's technology-rich world. Education professionals explore the use and application of multimedia and Internet technologies that enhance learning and support collaborative problem-solving in a digital information society. They learn strategies for how to prepare students across the grade levels for the complex challenges related to reading, critical thinking, researching, and communicating in the 21st century. Synthesizing course concepts, they assess curriculum standards in their area and develop an inquiry-based unit plan designed to develop their students' information and visual literacy skills and meet a specific learning outcome or standard in their subject area.

In this course, education professionals develop a new, expanded definition of what it means to be literate in today's technology-rich world. Education professionals explore the use and application of multimedia and Internet technologies that enhance learning and support collaborative problem-solving in a digital information society. They learn strategies for how to prepare students across the grade levels for the complex challenges related to reading, critical thinking, researching, and communicating in the 21st century. Synthesizing course concepts, they assess curriculum standards in their area and develop an inquiry-based unit plan designed to develop their students' information and visual literacy skills and meet a specific learning outcome or standard in their subject area.

In this course, education professionals expand their focus of technology use in the classroom by exploring instructional strategies and digital tools that facilitate content area literacy and learning. Education professionals learn how to design technology-infused projects that motivate students and help them meet specific curricular standards. They also explore developmentally appropriate ways of using multimedia and Internet technologies to bring discipline-specific concepts to life and foster interdisciplinary connections that enhance learning across the curriculum.

Education professionals in this course learn to apply various technologies to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, learning preferences, and ability levels. They employ digital-age solutions for differentiating instruction to meet varying needs, including assistive technologies that facilitate learning in students with special needs, programs that support English-language learners, and projects that engage and motivate gifted students. Through this course, they learn to harness the power of leading-edge technologies to increase learning and achievement for all students.

Through this course, education professionals consider the future of teaching and learning, discover promising trends in technology, and investigate opportunities to become leaders in the field of technology and learning. They consider how to address school-wide challenges, such as limited resources and resistance to change, and they explore skills and strategies, such as grant writing and leading change. Additionally, they complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability and willingness to become advocates and change agents who use technology to address challenges and create opportunities within the field of education.

Through this course, education professionals consider the future of teaching and learning, discover promising trends in technology, and investigate opportunities to become leaders in the field of technology and learning. They consider how to address school-wide challenges, such as limited resources and resistance to change, and they explore skills and strategies, such as grant writing and leading change. Additionally, they complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability and willingness to become advocates and change agents who use technology to address challenges and create opportunities within the field of education. 

To foster high levels of learning and achievement in math, teachers must first have a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and know how best to teach them. In this course,  teachers of K—8 mathematics are introduced to exciting ideas and practices to address their own learning and teaching of mathematics. Authentic and engaging mathematics experiences, including modeling, representing mathematical ideas in multiple ways, and identifying and addressing student misconceptions, are emphasized. Educators engage in effective practices for fostering students' ability to reason, analyze conceptual relationships, and persist in solving challenging problems. Connections across mathematics topics, skills, and levels as well as educational policies that impact the learning and teaching of mathematics are emphasized in this course. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, including the Standards for Mathematical Practice, and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) practices are frameworks for addressing fundamental principles and skills.

Effective elementary mathematics instruction requires a deep understanding of numbers and operations, the real-world situations in which these arise, and how children learn these ideas. In this course, teachers refine their knowledge of the structure of the base-ten number system and how it is used in addition and subtraction. They examine various methods of multi-digit calculations, including methods commonly created by students and variations of standard algorithms. Teachers extend their own conceptual understanding by modeling mathematics visually and explaining relationships between visual representations and mathematical notation. Teachers also learn how to develop appropriate interventions by diagnosing common student misconceptions.

Measurement and geometry are often challenging topics for elementary students, but they represent some of the most visible uses of mathematics in students' day-to-day lives. In this course, educators learn strategies for connecting these topics to other mathematical concepts, including fractions, decimals, and the number system. In geometry, educators move beyond strategies for developing a familiarity with basic shapes and their properties to explore higher-order tasks that involve geometric thinking, measurement concepts, and proportional relationships. Using data as a context to support students' learning of these mathematical ideas, educators have the opportunity to explore real-world problems and collect, represent, and interpret data.

Understanding fraction concepts is a critical foundation for learning about proportional relationships and developing algebraic concepts. In this course, educators learn how to extend students' knowledge of whole numbers and basic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, division—to fractions and decimals. Educators learn instructional practices to help students understand, represent, develop, and engage in rational number operations with meaning, proficiency, and precision. They also investigate ways to foster deep conceptual understandings of ratios, rates, and proportional relationships, thus building in students the critical skill of proportional reasoning. Educators consider how proportional reasoning builds a bridge to the study of other important mathematical topics, including geometry, measurement, and data as well as the use of proportionality as a connecting thread throughout the elementary and middle math curriculum.

Developing students' mathematical habits of mind and leading them to become mathematical thinkers are important goals of elementary mathematics education. In this course, teachers extend their own understanding of the base ten number system and the relationships among addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Teachers explore various interpretations and meanings of these operations while working with properties of multiplication, division, and proportionality. They investigate students' misconceptions and struggles and develop effective intervention strategies. Teachers further develop their own mathematical habits of mind as they engage in challenging tasks and solve real-world mathematical problems.

Understanding rational numbers is the foundation for understanding other critical mathematic concepts and their application to everyday life. In this course, middle-level mathematics teachers explore exciting ideas to help students determine appropriate operations for solving problems and becoming more proficient in working with factors, multiples, fractions, decimals, percents, and negative numbers. Teachers develop problem-based activities to engage students in using common algorithms and other mathematical reasoning and sense-making strategies for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational numbers. Strategies for estimation and using the number line to represent and solve problems are also provided in this course.

Understanding the relationship among geometry and measurement and solving problems using day-to-day real life experiences can motivate and guide students' thinking and reasoning around these concepts. In this course, middle mathematics teachers learn strategies to connect geometric thinking and measurement to other topics and develop their own conceptual understanding of geometry and measurement by learning what it means to estimate and measure attributes of objects and how to develop fundamental measurement concepts and skills. In this course educators are challenged and supported as they engage in opportunities to foster students' mathematical processes, proficiencies, and habits of mind around the concepts of shape, spatial relationships, and measurement, including estimation.

Algebra builds on a strong understanding of arithmetic and its properties in the real number system. Middle mathematics teachers have opportunities to move beyond the traditional teaching of algebra to the idea of algebraic thinking as an important component of all mathematics and everyday life. The use of tools, such as manipulative materials, calculators, and other emerging technological resources, provides educational professionals with concrete examples of how to incorporate the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice into their teaching. The goal of this course is to deepen educators' understandings of the role algebra plays in problem-solving and decision making so that they can apply this knowledge to support their students in developing similar knowledge and understandings. Educators explore a range of topics, including reasoning and sense-making; various types of functions; multiple uses of variables; pattern recognition; mathematical modeling; estimation; and the development of linear functions from rates, ratios, and proportional reasoning.

Understanding data, probability, and statistics is critical to making sense of the vast amounts of information available in today's world. Educators taking this course have authentic contexts for collecting, representing, and interpreting data, and they reinforce essential number concepts in promoting students' ability to think statistically. Middle mathematics teachers focus on using data as a context for developing a variety of mathematical topics and as an important step toward understanding statistical ideas and processes. The goal of this course is to develop educators' understanding and pedagogical practices so that they can promote their students' ability to use data, probability, and statistics to better understand real-world issues and to solve a wide range of relevant and engaging problems in many contexts.

Understanding fraction concepts is a critical foundation for learning about proportional relationships and developing algebraic concepts. In this course, educators learn how to extend students' knowledge of whole numbers and basic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, division—to fractions and decimals. Educators learn instructional practices to help students understand, represent, develop, and engage in rational number operations with meaning, proficiency, and precision. They also investigate ways to foster deep conceptual understandings of ratios, rates, and proportional relationships, thus building in students the critical skill of proportional reasoning. Educators consider how proportional reasoning builds a bridge to the study of other important mathematical topics, including geometry, measurement, and data as well as the use of proportionality as a connecting thread throughout the elementary and middle math curriculum.

Education professionals can investigate the nature and history of science and the role science plays in 21st-century life. They can discover unifying themes across all areas of science such as scientific inquiry, systems and energy, models and scale, constancy and change, ecology and the environment, and form and function. Education professionals can explore environmental science and apply the scientific tools of inquiry, discovery, hypothesis, and theory to facilitate their own learning in science and to foster engaging and motivating scientific learning in their students.

Education professionals can examine various physical phenomena (e.g., light, sound, heat, magnetism, and motion) in this course. They engage in authentic, active learning experiences that advance their knowledge about these phenomena and model creative teaching approaches that can be used to engage their students in powerful learning about the physical sciences. The practical application of theories and concepts will be emphasized.

Education professionals take a journey of discovery and explore the components of the living world, including plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms as well as their ecology in this course. They can learn about the controversy that persists in the scientific community about what makes an organism alive and discover how organisms interact with each other and their environments. Education professionals use inquiry methods to develop learning experiences to engage their own students in exploring these ideas in the classroom.

Education professionals can investigate timeless questions about how the Earth fits into time and space. Explorations will span from ocean depths to the breadth of the universe in this course. They examine earthly and other-world phenomena, such as weather, climate, volcanoes, earthquakes, planetary systems, and supernovae, and explore the similarities and differences between this world and other worlds. Transferring this scientific knowledge to classroom instruction will be emphasized.

Education professionals take a future-focused view of science while developing their skills in science education during this course. Trends, issues, challenges, and opportunities related to science and its role in schools, society, and the workplace will be explored. Topics include genetic engineering, biotechnologies, environmental issues such as climate change and global warming, and the call for education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Education professionals engage in professional discourse to grapple with uncertainties and learn how scientific principles can be used to advocate for authentic social change.

Educators must recognize the importance for all students, including students with special needs, to achieve high academic standards. In this course, education professionals examine the learning challenges of students who, by definition of federal law, have disabilities as well as those of students who have significant difficulty with learning but do not qualify for special education services. Education professionals learn how to adapt curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize learning for students with special needs. They also have the opportunity to evaluate and describe activities and experiences through the perspective of a student with a learning disability, thus gaining empathy and a deeper understanding of how to work with students with special needs.

Educators taking this course emphasize the need for all students, including students with special needs, to achieve high academic standards. They examine the learning challenges of students who, by definition of federal law, have disabilities as well as those of students who have significant difficulty with learning but do not qualify for special education services. Educators learn how to adapt/modify curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize learning for students with special needs.

Leadership and collaboration are essential skills for working with teams to provide effective services for individuals with exceptionalities. These are practices that special educators must embrace and continually refine. Educators in this course will analyze the skills and dispositions that build healthy leadership styles and produce positive collaborative relationships.  They will also examine the benefits and challenges of leading and collaborating with others to maximize the learning potential of every student.

Special education teachers are constantly confronted with ever-changing rules and regulations. In order to effectively lead and collaborate with teachers, families, and other professionals, special education teachers must have a thorough knowledge of the history and current practices related to special education advocacy, policy, and law. When presented with real-life scenarios, candidates will create practical solutions grounded in law and policy.

Special education teachers are constantly confronted with ever-changing rules and regulations. In order to effectively lead and collaborate with teachers, families, and other professionals, special education teachers must have a thorough knowledge of the history and current practices related to special education advocacy, policy, and law. When presented with real-life scenarios, candidates will create practical solutions grounded in law and policy. 

Special educators in today's schools are responsible for working with a team to evaluate and assess to determine eligibility, create educational plans, and evaluate progress.  In order to do this, they must be aware of and be able to implement culturally responsive, valid, and reliable practices. In this course, candidates will synthesize formal and informal assessments to monitor progress and analyze achievement to drive instructional strategies and assistive technologies for students with exceptionalities.

Behavior greatly impacts all students' ability to learn. Special educators are the most frequently called-upon professionals to evaluate, assess, and create behavior interventions whether a student is in a self-contained classroom or an inclusive setting. Candidates will be presented with a case study and reflect together on the behavior by identifying the antecedents and consequences presented. Furthermore, they will develop intervention strategies and share resources of evidence-based practices for improving behavior.

Behavior greatly impacts all students' ability to learn. Special educators are the most frequently called upon professionals to evaluate, assess, and create behavior interventions whether a student is in a self-contained classroom or an inclusive setting.  Candidates will be presented with a case study and reflect together on the behavior by identifying the antecedents and consequences presented. Furthermore, they will develop intervention strategies and share resources of evidence-based practices for improving behavior. 

Providing accommodations and differentiating instruction are essential practices for special educators. In this course, special education professionals will apply research-based strategies for designing, delivering, and adapting instruction for students with exceptionalities. Candidates will be presented with real-life scenarios and must debate appropriate research-based instructional strategies to optimize learning for all students.

Reading, writing, and communication are literacy competencies that impact the quality of life for all people, especially individuals with exceptionalities. Special education professionals will devise appropriate and effective interventions for individuals with exceptionalities. Candidates will engage in a variety of conceptual and application-based assignments that emphasize ongoing assessment of literacy skills, strategies, and dispositions. Additional areas of emphasis include cultural and linguistic diversity, assistive technologies, and inclusive environments.

STEM scholar-practitioners analyze current trends, challenges, issues, and career opportunities related to promoting STEM education. They explore research-based strategies and their application in both the classroom and the surrounding community. STEM educators engage in professional discourse about pedagogical models designed to inspire innovative thinking and learn how STEM principles can be used to advocate for social change.

The focus of teacher leadership expands from self to students, increasing the sphere of influence of the teacher leader to the classroom context in this course. Education professionals concentrate on advancing their expertise in the field of teaching by increasing their knowledge and skills in three key areas: knowledge of learners and learning; knowledge of subject matter and curriculum goals; and knowledge of effective teaching models, strategies, and practices. They learn to apply this expertise in the classroom in ways that directly affect the learning and achievement of their students.

In this course, the focus on teacher leadership extends from self to students, increasing the sphere of influence of the teacher leader to the classroom context. Teachers concentrate on advancing their expertise as teaching professionals by increasing their knowledge and skills in three key areas: knowledge of learners and learning; knowledge of subject matter and curriculum goals; and knowledge of effective teaching models, strategies, and practices. Teacher leaders apply this expertise in the classroom.

Education professionals are introduced to the concept of teacher leadership and its value in the field of education today in this course. They engage in personal assessment and analysis so that they may cultivate the dispositions and attitudes of a teacher leader for the purpose of effecting positive change in their learning communities. They also learn the critical importance of expanding their knowledge of educational research and theory to guide leadership decisions that effectively address today’s educational challenges. Education professionals complete coursework that emphasizes self-examination and self-perceptions with regard to teacher leadership.

Education professionals address teacher leadership in the context of advancing the expertise and leadership of peers, thereby expanding education professionals’ spheres of influence beyond the walls of the classroom. They explore mentoring and coaching models designed to promote the professional growth of their colleagues. They learn and apply skills for mentoring novice teachers and for engaging in coaching relationships with peers at all stages of the teacher development cycle. Through conceptual and application-based activities, education professionals address various forms of collaboration with colleagues, focusing on interpersonal and communication skills.

Educators must recognize the importance for all students, including students with special needs, to achieve high academic standards. In this course, education professionals examine the learning challenges of students who, by definition of federal law, have disabilities as well as those of students who have significant difficulty with learning but do not qualify for special education services. Education professionals learn how to adapt curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize learning for students with special needs. They also have the opportunity to evaluate and describe activities and experiences through the perspective of a student with a learning disability, thus gaining empathy and a deeper understanding of how to work with students with special needs.

The sphere of influence for education professionals is extended from working with peers to engaging with stakeholders throughout the greater school community in this course. Education professionals learn the processes, benefits, and challenges of building and working in learning communities to identify issues and solve problems that affect student learning and achievement. They consider professional growth and development as an integral part of various types of school improvement processes. Additionally, they engage in a variety of practical assignments, such as an analysis of their own school’s development of mission, vision, values, goals, and communication elements as a professional learning community.

In this course, the sphere of influence of teacher leaders extends from working with peers to engaging with stakeholders throughout the greater school community. Teacher leaders learn the processes, benefits, and challenges of building and working in learning communities to identify issues and solve problems that impact student learning and achievement. Professional growth and development are addressed as an integral part of various types of school improvement processes.