Education (EDU)

430 David M. French Hall
(810) 762-3260
Fax: (810) 762-3102
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/education/

Chair: Michael Pardales

Associate Dean: Rose Casement

Director of Educational Field Experiences: Barb Walton

Coordinator for Academic Advising: Cheryl Godmar

Director of Teacher Certification: Vicki Tonda

Post-baccalaureate Program Advisor: Sandra Sepulvedo

Principal Secretary: Coleen Beamish

Certification Secretary: Ina Tonks

Admissions Evaluator: Michaele Tomrell

Receptionist: Roslyn Ivey

Associate Professors: Rose Casement, Mary Jo Finney, Sapna Taggar, Traki Taylor; Assistant Professors Judith Ableser, Sharman Siebenthal-Adams, Wei Cao, Aviva Dorfman, Patricia Gallant, Suzanne Knezek, Jeffrey Kupperman, Michael Pardales, Linda Pickett, Beverly Schumer, Li-Hsuan Yang.

Professors Emeriti: Bernice Blamer, Thomas N. Filson, Maxine Perine, Carl H. Rinne, Harold Stahly, Edward E. Sullivan, Sue Woestehoff.

The Department of Education is the basic teacher education unit at the University of Michigan-Flint. Program offerings are designed to assist prospective elementary and secondary teachers in acquiring the skills and abilities necessary for excellence in teaching and to meet requirements for Michigan Teacher Certification. All programs offered by the Education Department are approved by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation Services, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 373-3310. The Teacher Certification Program is responsive to changes mandated by the Michigan Department of Education. Students should consult the Education website or their advisor for the most current information. Special announcements, such as orientation meetings and changes in course scheduling, are sent to students’ university email accounts and posted outside the Education Department office.

Department Mission and Program Assessment

The mission of the Department of Education is to prepare teachers and educational personnel who: understand and value the disciplines they teach; comprehend psychological principles and the variations of human development, behavior, and potential that facilitates student learning; recognize that historical, sociological, political, and philosophical factors promote equal educational opportunity; possess the pedagogical-content knowledge necessary to make appropriate instructional decisions that promote reflective thinking, problem solving, and critical inquiry; discern the ethical obligations of professional educators; and can demonstrate their ability to use their knowledge of the academic disciplines, psychology, social foundations, pedagogical-content strategies, and ethics in working with children. The Department participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods, and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/.

Programs in Education

Six programs are available: the General Program for Elementary Teacher Certification (Bachelor of Science), the Bachelor of Music Education , the Program in Visual Arts Education (Bachelor of Science) , the Honors Program in Elementary Education (Bachelor of Science) , and the General Program for Secondary Teacher Certification (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) . A Specialization in Early Childhood Education is offered by the Early Childhood Education Department .

The Education Department also offers graduate programs in Early Childhood Education , Elementary Education with Certification , Literacy (K-12) , Special Education (K-12) , and Technology in Education . In addition, a graduate program in Educational Administration is offered in collaboration with the University’s Program in Public Administration. Persons interested in these programs should refer to the “Graduate Study ” section of this Catalog.