Undergraduate Teacher Education Program

Teaching is one of the most satisfying and rewarding professions for those who enjoy working with young people. It is also one of the most important and challenging professions. Teachers carry a tremendous responsibility as they work to prepare students for their lives beyond P-12 classrooms.

Hamline has served the needs of new teachers since the 1850s. This legacy continues today as we work to prepare teachers who can meet the demands of the teaching profession in the 21st century. To that end, Hamline’s Undergraduate Teacher Education (UTE) Program is committed to “developing reflective practice in an urban, multicultural context.” As an integral part of the Hamline School of Education, the program also works within the larger conceptual framework which acknowledges the importance of 1) promoting equity in schools and society, 2) building communities of teachers and learners, 3) constructing knowledge, and 4) practicing thoughtful inquiry and reflection. Throughout the program, students are placed in several different urban school settings where they develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential to effective teaching. The UTE program believes that future teachers educated in this context will be better prepared to teach in urban, rural, suburban, and global educational environments.

Hamline students have the option to earn a co-major in education (with or without licensure) or minor in education (with or without licensure). In addition, students earn a major in a CLA or HSB content area. Students interested in school-based careers beyond classroom teaching (e.g. school counseling, school administration, media generalists) should be aware that these programs normally require an initial teaching license. Students must seek advanced study to prepare for these careers after completing a bachelor’s degree and all requirements for an initial teaching license.

Licensure Programs: All teaching candidates are advised that completion of the program within a four-year time frame requires careful planning. If you are interested in licensure, please seek early advising from the Undergraduate Teacher Education program faculty to plan your program.

State of Minnesota Licensure Examination Requirements

As per the MTLE website: “Beginning in September 2010, the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLEs) will be the sole means of assessing the basic skills, pedagogical, and content-area knowledge of Minnesota P–12 teacher candidates. All candidates for an initial license will be required to pass the MTLE basic skills test as well as pedagogy and content-area tests.”

All candidates for licensure must successfully complete the MTLE Basic Skills Exam in reading, writing, and mathematics. Completion of the exam is required before formal admission into the Undergraduate Teacher Education program is granted. Taking the exam during or before the sophomore year ensures the opportunity to retake some or all of the exam before applying for a license.

All candidates who are applying for a first-time Minnesota teaching license must also complete the appropriate content-area and pedagogical MTLEs. Information regarding registration procedures, fees, and exam dates may be obtained from a faculty advisor or staff member in the teacher education program, or from the MTLE website at: www.mtle.nesinc.com. No one may be licensed in the state of Minnesota without passing the appropriate exams.

Examples of Unique Program Opportunities

English as a Second Language

Growing immigration to the United States has increased the need for English instruction for those who are learning English as a second language. In collaboration with the faculty of the Second Language Teaching and Learning program, the teacher education department offers a K-12 license in English as a second language to interested undergraduates with any major. In addition to the K-12 courses, eight courses in ESL are required. Because of this considerable amount of required coursework, careful planning is required. Please consult with a departmental advisor for the list of required ESL courses.

Hamline Overseas Student Teaching (HOST)

The HOST program is a combined winter-spring experience that provides a student teaching opportunity in another cultural and geographical setting. Students are first placed in a Twin Cities urban school where they student teach for eight weeks (e.g., January-February). Participants then student teach in an overseas school for ten weeks (March-May). HOST is available only to education students who have completed all required coursework and are eligible for a regular student teaching placement. Interested students should contact the School of Education Teacher Education Department chair for specific details.

Faculty

Letitia Basford, assistant professor. BA 1995, University of Minnesota; MA 2000, San Francisco State University; PhD 2008, University of Minnesota.

James Brickwedde, assistant professor. BA 1977, State Universities of New York-Buffalo; MSE 1993, University of Wisconsin-River Falls; PhD 2011, University of Minnesota.

Rachel Endo, assistant professor and Teacher Education department chair. BS, MPA, MA, University of Nebraska at Omaha; PhD 2009, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Sarah Hick, assistant professor. BA 1992, Grinnell College; MES 1996, Yale University; PhD 2008, University of Minnesota.

Kim Koeppen, associate professor and UTE program coordinator. BA 1984, Iowa State University; MSE 1991, Northern Illinois University; PhD 1996, The University of Iowa.

Jean Strait, professor, BA 1987, University of Pittsburgh; MS 1991, Moorhead State University; PhD 1995, University of Minnesota.