Education

Professor Cynthia Gardner, Chair, Division of Education, Director of Educator Preparation, Director of M.A.T. Program

Division of Education

Programs of Study

Educator Preparation Program
B.A. in Elementary Education
M.A.T. in STEM - Secondary Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (Please see the Maryville College Graduate Catalog for details)

Division of Education Mission
The mission of the Maryville College Division of Education is to foster professional educators to intentionally impact individuals, groups, and communities of the world.

Rooted in the values of a liberal arts education, the Division of Education prepares professional educators who intentionally and compassionately impact individuals, groups, and communities through transformative teaching and learning. With commitment to excellence and collaboration, the Division offers the Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary STEM and the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Education faculty work across disciplines to support initial licensure in twelve P/K–12 and 6–12 content areas, equipping future educators to lead with purpose, equity, and innovation in diverse educational settings. The Division is accredited by the State of Tennessee.

All programs leading to initial licensure are guided by the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards, a nationally recognized model that “describe what effective teaching that leads to improved student achievement looks like.” The standards are grouped into four general categories, listed below, and are implemented in courses, teaching, and teacher candidate assessment:

The Learner and Learning
Content
Instructional Practice
Professional Responsibility

To ensure teacher candidates are equipped to address the instructional, behavioral, and cultural needs of a diverse classroom, High Leverage Practices are also incorporated. Developed by the Council for Exceptional Children and the CEEDAR Center, high leverage practices have been designated as “pillar practices needed to produce strong outcomes for the broadest range of students.” They are divided into the four pillars below:

Collaboration
Data-Driven Planning
Instruction in Behavior and Academics
Intensify and Intervene as Needed

Division of Education Professional Dispositions

All teacher candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to Professional Behaviors and Dispositions in coursework, field experiences, and clinical practice. Instructors, supervisors, and mentors (both school and College-based) are asked to document teacher candidate behavior at various points throughout the program.

The key professional behaviors and dispositions assessed are:

1. Self-regulation- demonstrates the ability to manage and monitor emotions, behaviors, and thoughts in a way that supports positive interactions
2. Professional Appearance- maintains a clean, appropriate, and professional appearance that aligns with school and program expectations
3. Professional Relationships- engages respectfully and collaboratively with students, families, peers, faculty, and school personnel.
4. Professionalism- exhibits the attitudes, behaviors, and dispositions expected of educators, including reliability, accountability, punctuality, and a commitment to continuous growth and ethical practice
5. Reflection- regularly examines personal beliefs, decisions, and actions to improve teaching effectiveness and student outcomes, and uses self-assessment to guide professional development
6. Cultural Awareness- demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, values, and perspectives
7. Integrity- upholds high moral and ethical standards in all academic and professional settings
8. Affect- demonstrate a positive and professional emotional presence in educational settings
9. Respect- consistently shows regard for the dignity, rights, and contributions of others
10. Communication- uses clear, effective, and professional verbal and written communication in academic and school settings

To ensure the quality of the educator preparation program, teacher candidates who exhibit unacceptable behaviors and dispositions may be removed from the program. Procedures for candidate removal are outlined on the Division of Education website.

Field Experiences

Field experiences are an essential component of the teacher education program, providing candidates with valuable opportunities to apply instructional strategies and classroom management skills in diverse school settings. These experiences are designed to prepare future educators by immersing them in real-world teaching environments. To receive academic credit, candidates must complete all required field experience hours and assignments as specified. A current and clear TBI Background Check is mandatory prior to placement and must be on file in the EPP office. Candidates are responsible for providing their own transportation to assigned sites. Professional behavior and effective communication are always expected as candidates represent both the institution and the teaching profession during these experiences.

Eligibility Guidelines

The Educator Preparation Program is continually refined to meet the State of Tennessee’s initial licensure requirements. As a result, modifications in programs and curriculum may occur.
Students are encouraged to discuss the licensure program with their advisor(s) on a regular basis. Students enrolled in an undergraduate licensure program must meet specific requirements to enter and progress through the educator preparation program. These requirements are defined by the TN State Board of Education, TN Department of Education, and Maryville College.

Benchmarks are used to determine progression through a licensure program.

All students must complete an online Application for Initial Entry, which can be found on the Division of Education webpage. The application can be completed in the first or second year before February of the sophomore year. Delaying the application may prolong the licensure program. (Transfer and post-baccalaureate students please note special sections.)

Benchmark 1 - Initial Entry
Requirements for Initial Entry into a licensure program:
1. Be enrolled at Maryville College
2. A completed Initial Entry application

a. The application should be submitted by February 20 in the first or second year
b. A Professional Statement is required as part of the application

3. An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale
4. An ACT/SAT/or Praxis CORE score that meets the TN State requirement (Note: all three sections of Praxis CORE must be passed)

a. ACT 21 or higher
b. SAT 1080 or higher
c. Praxis CORE

i. Reading- 156 or higher
ii. Mathematics- 150 or higher
iii. Writing- 162 or higher

5. Demonstration of professional behaviors and dispositions
(Maryville College has high expectations for all licensure candidates. Candidates who exhibit unacceptable behaviors and dispositions may be removed from the program.)
6. Complete an Initial Entry interview (Interview teams are comprised of K12 educators, College faculty, and alumni)

Benchmark 2 - Continuation in the licensure program*
Requirements:
1. Final grade of C or higher in EDU 200 and EDU 201 OR EDU 300 and EDU 301 and recommendation by the instructor
2. Overall GPA 2.75 or higher
3. Demonstration of professional behaviors and dispositions
4. Candidates completing field experiences must have a current and clear TBI Background Check on file with the EPP. It must be delivered directly to the EPP.
*Requirements to continue in the program are checked at the end of each semester.

Benchmark 3- Candidacy with formal admission to the educator preparation program Requirements for Candidate Status:
1. Complete Checklist for Clinical Practice (student teaching)
a. All coursework must be completed prior to student teaching
2. Grade of C or higher:
a. ELEM: Grade of C or higher in EDU 400
b. K12/SEC: Grade of C or higher in EDU 333
3. Overall GPA 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale
4. Demonstration of professional behaviors and dispositions
5. Current and clear TBI Background check on file with the EPP
Students are not eligible for Candidate Status until the end of the junior year. Students who do not meet one or more of the requirements will not progress to Candidate Status. This will delay the start of Clinical Practice and may result in an additional semester.

Benchmark 4- Program Graduation/Degree Completion
Requirements:
1. Successful completion of all Maryville College and EPP program requirements
2. Demonstration of professional behaviors and dispositions
3. A final grade of “C” or better must be earned in Clinical Practice (Student Teaching)
a. TN State Board of Education requirements for completion of clinical practice (student teaching) must be met (defined in SBE Policy 5.504)
4. Minimum overall GPA of 2.75
5. Satisfactory performance on the TEAM performance assessment instrument
Although failure to meet the GPA, dispositional requirements, or testing requirements will not preclude a student from receiving a baccalaureate degree, a student cannot be recommended for a Tennessee teaching license without meeting these requirements.

Benchmark 5 - Program Completion/Transition to the Profession
The initial TN Teaching License is awarded by the TN Department of Education upon recommendation by the EPP.
Requirements to be recommended for initial licensure:
1. An active TNCompass account
2. An official Maryville College transcript indicating completion of the bachelor’s degree on file with the EPP

a. Program graduates must request an official transcript be delivered to the EPP

3. Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
4. Qualifying scores on all TN State required assessments (TN State Board of Education Policy 5.105)

a. Program graduates must have scores from the required assessments sent directly to the EPP and the TN Department of Education

5. Elementary Education program graduates: the Literacy Training Completion Certificate must be on file with the EPP

Maryville College is approved by the TN State Board of Education to offer licensure programs in the following areas:

Tennessee Educator Licensure Areas
American Sign Language and Deaf Studies (6-12)

Biology (6-12)

Chemistry (6-12)

Elementary Education (K-5)

English (6-12)

English as a Second Language (PK-12)

Health and Wellness (K-12)

History (6-12)

Mathematics (6-12)

Music/Vocal (K-12)

Music/Instrumental (K-12)

Spanish (PK-12)

Theatre (K-12)

Additional Teaching Endorsements
Maryville College Division of Education will recommend candidates for licensure in a single teaching area. Candidates interested in adding additional teaching areas should work closely with their advisor(s). The TN Department of Education regularly posts updated requirements for certification and additional endorsements.

Students Transferring to Maryville College and Enrolling in an Undergraduate Licensure Program:
1. Have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
2. Submit qualifying scores on the ACT/SAT/or ALL 3 sections of Praxis Core
Coursework required to complete an undergraduate licensure program will be determined by examining prior experience and coursework completed at other institutions. Specific program requirements will be addressed on an individual basis by the Director of the Educator Preparation Program in consultation with the student’s advisor(s).

Post-Baccalaureate Program for Initial Teacher Licensure
The Post-Baccalaureate for Initial Teacher Licensure program is designed for those holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university who wish to obtain initial licensure in Tennessee. Coursework required to complete a post-baccalaureate program will be addressed on an individual basis by the Director of the Educator Preparation Program in consultation with the student’s advisor(s). Typical completion time is 3-4 semesters.

Admission to the post-baccalaureate program requires the following:

1. Be enrolled at Maryville College.
2. Completion of a Post-Baccalaureate Application.
3. Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited 4-year IHE in the same (or similar) content to the specialty area.
4. Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from a completed baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree program or a GPA of 3.00 in the most recent sixty hours earned at a regionally accredited IHE.
5. Qualifying score(s) on the required content assessments as defined in the TN State Board of Education Policy 5.105.
6. Successful completion of an interview.

Maryville College offers a Post-Baccalaureate Program for educator preparation in the following areas:

American Sign Language & Deaf Studies

Biology

Chemistry

Elementary Education

English

English as a Second Language

Health and Wellness

History

Mathematics

Music/Instrumental Music/Vocal

Spanish

Theatre

Program Outcome Data Reports
Student outcome data related to the Maryville College Educator Preparation Program can be accessed on the College website.