School of Education Mission

Vision

Our graduates will be informed, reflective, and responsive teachers within diverse classroom, school and community contexts.

SOE Core Beliefs and Values

Community
The School of Education is dedicated to creating an inclusive community of learners. Collectively, we foster relationships that respect learning environments across the state of Alaska by acknowledging and advocating for the wealth of knowledge residing in local communities, families, and students.  The School of Education prepares candidates who are committed to Alaskan communities and can thrive and contribute their individual, intellectual and collective strengths to their communities.

Diversity and Equity
The School of Education acknowledges the impact of inequities and injustices in education that must be addressed. Faculty and candidates in the School of Education value and draw upon multiple intellectual authorities to support social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity through inclusive practices and the recognition of the unique abilities of all learners.

Inquiry and Reflection
The School of Education faculty and candidates are engaged in the process of participating in inquiry, dialogue and reflection to critically examine complex ideas related to learning. Inquiry and reflection guide the development and implementation of programs, curriculum, assessment, evaluation, the understanding of ourselves, our students, and the communities we serve. 

SOE Faculty's Professional Commitments

1. Recognize and nurture candidate differences, promote and model positive attitudes toward diversity, and teach in inclusive and culturally responsive ways.
2. Design and adjust programs to meet the evolving and unique needs of Alaska.
3. Personalize teaching, challenge candidates to think and reflect, use performance-based assessment, create communities of learners, arrange extensive and substantial field experience, conduct and promote teacher research, and, generally model concepts taught in action.
4. Use technology to support learning, empower candidates and provide accessibility to quality teacher education throughout the state.
5. Ground candidates’ learning in classroom field experience in diverse school communities.
6. Use real classrooms as well as books as source materials for knowledge construction, research, and life-long learning.
7. Establish collaborative relationships with candidates to support the whole learner.
8. Broaden professional knowledge through research activities.
9. Plan instruction based upon understanding of learning theory, human development, content and effective practice.
10. Monitor and support candidates’ development of content area knowledge and their transition from proficient learner to proficient teacher of content.

Candidate Goals and Performances, Expected in All Programs

Goal 1: Educators articulate, maintain, and develop a philosophy of education that is demonstrated in their practice.

Candidates:

1. support their philosophy of education with research-based theory and evidence. K
2. apply their philosophy, beliefs, and theory to practice. S
3. are guided by their philosophy of education are flexible in revising it based on new research and teaching experience. D

Goal 2: Educators understand how human development affects learning and apply that understanding to practice.

Candidates:

1. identify ways students’ developmental levels affect their thinking processes and learning. K
2. accommodate differences in how students learn based on knowledge of individual’s social, emotional, and intellectual maturation. S
3. demonstrate an appreciate of unique thinking processes of learners during different stages of development. D

Goal 3: Educators differentiate instruction with respect for individual and cultural characteristics.

Candidates:

1. identify strategies for differentiating instruction based on student differences. K.
2. design instruction that incorporates characteristics of the local community’s culture and that is appropriate to students’ individual and special needs. S
3. apply local and Alaska knowledge to the selection of instructional strategies, materials and resources S
4. demonstrate their belief that all students can learn and that they appreciate multiple perspectives and value individual differences. D

Goal 4: Educators possess current academic content knowledge.

Candidates:

1. demonstrate knowledge of their content area, including structure of the curriculum, the tools of inquiry, central concepts, and connections to other areas of knowledge. K
2. connect the content area to other content areas and to practical situations encountered outside the school. S
3. demonstrate commitment to professional discourse about content knowledge and student learning of content. D

Goal 5: Educators facilitate student learning by using assessment to guide planning, instruction, and modification of practice.

Candidates:

1. understand how to plan for instruction that is based on learner needs and curriculum goals. K
2. plan, teach, and assess for optimal learning. S
3. demonstrate that they value assessment and instruction as integrated processes. D

Goal 6: Educators create and manage a stimulating, inclusive and safe learning community in which learners take intellectual risks and work independently and collaboratively.

Candidates:

1. investigate and use a variety of techniques to establish and maintain a responsive environment for all learners. (K,S)
2. establish and maintain a positive climate in which learners develop self-direction and collaborative skills. S
3. commit to ensuring learner well being and development of self-regulation and group interaction skills. D

Goal 7: Educators work as partners with parents, families and the community.

Candidates:

1. develop a sound, broad-based understanding of learners’ families and the local communities. K
2. communicate effectively with parents and community members to and incorporate local ways of knowing into decision making about all levels of schooling. S
3. recognize the school as an integral part of the community and value families and community members as partners in promoting learning. D

Goal 8: Educators develop and maintain professional, moral, and ethical attitudes, behaviors, relationships, and habits of mind.

Candidates:

1. remain current in knowledge of content and teaching practice. K
2. participate in and contribute to the teaching profession. S
3. communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and supervisors. S
4. demonstrate professional ethics, democratic principles, and collaborative learning communities. D

Goal 9: Educators use technology effectively, creatively, and wisely in their practice.

Candidates:

1. effectively use computers and other technologies in their professional practice and evaluate the potentials and limitations of technologies.. K
2. integrate technology in planning, instruction, and assessment to support student learning. S
3. value technology as a tool for lifelong learning. D

Partnerships

The School of Education values our partnerships with the Alaska System for Early Education Development Program and the Alaska Arts Education Consortium.

All SOE students in field placements are held accountable under the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Professional Teaching Practices.

• Alaska Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC)
• PTPC Handbook