Teacher Education program earns national honors

Pellissippi State’s Teacher Education program in math and science was recently honored with a national Best Practices in Teacher Preparation Award.

The College received the award during an Atlanta conference of the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs on March 16-17. Rod Risley, executive director of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, presented the award on behalf of PTK.

Phi Theta Kappa helped Pellissippi State and 17 other community colleges jump-start their teacher education programs in math and science. The College is now in round 2 of the program, which involves a three-year mentoring project conducted by PTK.

The award recognizes community colleges that have best met the needs of students who will become teachers of science and mathematics at all levels between pre-kindergarten and 12th grade.

Pellissippi State was one of seven schools honored at the two-day event. The conference was student-focused, with representative students from the honored colleges presenting on various topics. Teacher Education students Christopher Dunlap and Mary Galloway discussed how the education program supports its students and incorporates technology into the curriculum.

“At Pellissippi, I am given hope and confidence from the professors to succeed,” one student responded on a survey given by Meg Moss, program coordinator for Teacher Education.

“With technology such as multimedia productions, electronic whiteboards and wireless laptops, students can explore and visualize concepts that they could not explore otherwise,” said Moss. The program also provides its students with numerous professional development opportunities, such as short courses, workshops and other events.

Part of the program’s success, says Moss, relates to the philosophy of having field experience opportunities “early and often.” The coursework includes 40+ hours in an elementary or secondary school, and Moss urges students to start gaining hours early—their first semester if possible.

In addition to being part of an award-winning associate’s degree program, Pellissippi State students may now complete their Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, K-6, through Tennessee Technological University without leaving the Pellissippi State campus.

"Inside Pellissippi" is a bi-monthly electronic publication produced by the Community Relations Office for the faculty and staff of Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990. All suggestions and comments should be sent to Julia Wood (jwood@pstcc.edu).

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