Teacher Certification - Progress in the Program

Last modified August 13, 2007.

Characteristics of Teacher Candidates | Portfolio | Progress in the Program | Dismissal | Certification

Characteristics of Teacher Candidates

Michigan Tech insists upon excellence from our education students. Success in the teaching profession requires competency in basic skills, good oral and written communication abilities, sound moral character, academic integrity, social and professional skills, a multicultural perspective, and a commitment to the teaching profession.

Michigan Tech demands academic integrity of our students. Violations of academic integrity are subject to sanctions from the university. Because teachers are influential adults in the lives of their students, they must exhibit the highest ethical, moral, and professional behaviors.

Professionalism does not begin when you graduate from college. From the time you begin preparing to enter the teaching profession, you should be developing the characteristics associated with being a positive role model for pre-college students. We expect students to demonstrate continuing progress toward professionalism through regular class attendance, full participation in course activities, promptness in completing assignments, a commitment to learning, collaboration with peers, and a commitment to fairness in teaching all students.

Students must also meet minimum degrees of relevant forms of socialization. This requires that teachers be of sound moral character. Individuals will not generally be considered to meet the requirement of relevant socialization if they have:

• Committed a felony or a criminal offense involving a minor or an act of moral turpitude
• Demonstrated behavior incompatible with the requirements of the teaching profession during field experiences
• Demonstrated an inability to conform to the standards of behavior of the university.

Portfolio

All teacher education students must maintain a portfolio. This portfolio will consist of a multidimensional collection of educational work and life experiences and will provide evidence of satisfactory professional progress in the teacher education program. Students are encouraged to begin their portfolio upon admission to teacher education and maintain all relevant material to their preparation as a teacher in their portfolio.

Progress in the Program

Admission to the Methods phase of the program enables students to enroll in ED 4700, Fundamentals of Instruction, which is a prerequisite for all subject matter methods courses and student teaching. The Education faculty committee evaluates all candidates prior to their enrollment in ED 4700. The committee is interested in determining if the applicant possesses the characteristics necessary for effective teaching. They wish to identify students who need opportunities for remediation, further academic preparation, or special assistance or consideration. Interviews, portfolios, and other materials may be required as part of this evaluation process. Candidates may be required to correct specific deficiencies through remedial courses or other interventions before being permitted to enroll in ED 4700. The committee will inform candidates as to whether or not they have been approved to enroll in the methods phase, typically by the end of week 8 of the early block.

Dismissal

A student will be dismissed from the teacher education program if one or more of the following conditions occur:

• Any misrepresentation by a student concerning a matter governed by teacher education admission requirements.
• Any violation of University regulations which indicates that the student might have an adverse affect on the teaching profession.
• Lack of professionalism including, but not limited to withdrawing from student teaching, behavior in schools not consistent with the policies and practices of that school; and public behavior not consistent with professional teacher norms.
• A failing grade in any education/methods course required for certification.

Certification

In order to be recommended by the University for State of Michigan Certification you must:

• Successfully complete the secondary school teacher certification program.
• Must be certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Passed the MTTC Basic Skills & subject area tests.
• Received a baccalaureate degree in appropriate field with a GPA Major and Minor of 2.5 for Math, Science & English or a 2.75 GPA for Social Studies, Business & Economics.

The candidate will be recommended for a Michigan Secondary Provisional Certificate valid in grades 7 through 12 for a period of six (6) years. (During that six-year period, each holder of the secondary provisional certificate must qualify for a Professional Certificate by earning 18 semester credits in a planned program at a university and by presenting evidence of three years of successful teaching experience at the secondary level.) Candidates must consult with advisors in the Division of Teacher Education as early as possible in order to schedule the necessary courses.