Education (EDU)

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

Chair:  Sharman Siebenthal Adams
Director of Educational Field Experiences and Instructor: Suzanne Knight
Assistant to the Chair and Coordinator for Academic Advising: Cheryl Godmar
Graduate Programs Advisor: Rachel Biocchi
Principal Secretary: Coleen Beamish
Certification Officer: Debbie Seyerle
Admissions Evaluator: Cheryl Godmar
Receptionist: Roslyn Ivey
Star Program Coordinator:  Richard Russell

Professors: Rose Casement. Associate Professors: Sharman Siebenthal Adams, Aviva Dorfman, Mary Jo Finney, Patricia Gallant, Jeffrey Kupperman, Sapna Thwaite, Matthew Wyneken   
Assistant Professors: Wei Cao, Barbara Cherem, Suzanne Knezek
Professors Emeriti: Steve Althoen, 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.  The department is in the process of seeking initial accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 2010 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: (202) 466-7496, Fax: (202) 296-6620.

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 also offered.

The Education Department also offers graduate programs in Early Childhood Education , 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.