Courses
Master of Arts in Teaching

EDUC-5570
Classroom Management for Practicing Teachers (3)
The teacher candidate will understand how to promote collaborative learning environments that are inclusive of high standards; effective use of discipline and management techniques; effective implementation of directions, praise, feedback, routines, transitions, and procedures; and how to effectively manage time and space in an elementary or secondary classroom so that students can learn. Candidates use an understanding of learner development and individual differences to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation, and embed teacher and student use of technology to create productive and engaging learning environments.

EDUC-5571
Meeting the Needs of All Learners for Practicing Teachers (3)
The teacher candidate will understand how learners grow and develop and use the understanding of individual differences and development within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas to create an environment inclusive of high standards. The candidate designs and implements developmentally appropriate, relevant, and rigorous learning experiences that supports individual and collaborative learning, and these experiences encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

EDUC-5572
Integrating Health, Movement, and Physical Activity in the Elementary Classroom (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate applications of health, human movement and physical activity to support the learning needs of K-6 students. Course content will examine current research in brain-based learning, health and wellness initiatives, and learning standards that can be integrated into cross curricular learning experiences. The candidate will understand and apply the 21st Century Skills “Social Skills & Collaboration” to a K-6 lesson or unit and provides an artifact as evidence of learners growing in these skills as a result of instruction.

EDUC-5573
Integrating the Arts in the Elementary Classroom (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the arts (music, visual arts, dance, and theatre) to plan, implement, and assess artistic learning experiences that engage all learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving. Course content will examine current research in the benefits of art and creativity on K-6 learners and explore strategies, tools, and resources for integrating the arts into cross curricular learning experiences. Candidates will understand and apply the 21st Century Skill of “Creativity” to a K-6 lesson or unit and provides an artifact as evidence of learners growing in this skill as a result ofinstruction.

EDUC-5574
Math Methods for the Practicing Teacher (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of mathematics (counting and cardinality, operations and algebraic thinking, number and operation in base ten and fractions, measurement and data, geometry, ratios and proportional relationships, statistics and probability) to plan, implement, and assess mathematical learning experiences that engage all students in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving. Course content will examine the research on growth mindset relating to math instruction, instruction and assessment strategies to promote higher order thinking, and how to promote the NCTM Standards for Mathematical Practice in the K-6 classroom. Candidates will understand and apply the 21st Century Skill of “Critical Thinking” to a K-6 lesson or unit and provides an artifact as evidence of learners growing in this skill as a result of instruction. 

EDUC-5575
Science Methods for the Practicing Teacher (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate scientific disciplinary core ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and science and engineering practices to plan, implement, and assess science learning experiences that engage all elementary learners in curiosity, exploration, sense-making, conceptual development, and problem solving. Content will examine STEM resources and methods to effectively integrate cross curricular content. Candidates will understand and apply the 21st Century Skill of “Information Literacy” to a K-6 lesson or unit and provides an artifact as evidence of learners growing in this skill as a result of instruction.

EDUC-5576
Language Arts Methods for the Practicing Teacher (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the English/language arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language) to plan, implement, and assess language arts learning experiences that engage all students in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving. Content will examine the research base for the Science of Reading to support all developing readers, promote an understanding of strategies, tools, and resources for developing phonemic awareness and literacy, and explore strategies that promote reading fluency and comprehension. Candidates will understand and apply the 21st century skill of “Communication” to a K-6 lesson or unit and provides an artifact as evidence of learners growing in this skill as a result of instruction.

EDUC-5577
Social Studies Methods for the Practicing Teacher (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the social studies (people and places, civics and government, geography, economics, history), to plan, implement, and assess social studies learning experiences that engage all learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving. Content will examine strategies, tools, and resources to present effective social studies instruction and the integration of social studies topics into language arts standards to support cross curricular connections. Candidates will understand and apply the 21st century skill of “Leadership” to a K-6 lesson or unit and provides an artifact as evidence of learners growing in this skill as a result of instruction.

EDUC-5578
Technology in Instruction & Assessment for Practicing Teacher (3)
The teacher candidate will acquire skills for successful utilizing various educational technologies to support instruction and assessment. Candidates will be exposed to technology and media literacy concepts to aid in the evaluation and selection of tools for the educational setting that promote engagement and improved student learning.

EDUC-5579
Content Seminar for Practicing Teacher (3)
This seminar prepares and supports practicing teachers on topics of classroom management, supporting learners’ academic, social, and emotional needs, communication and collaboration with learners, families, colleagues, school professionals, support staff, and community members, and the preliminary development of components of the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT).

EDUC 5581
Secondary Pedagogy and Instruction for Practicing Teachers (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline he/she teaches and create content-specific learning and literacy experiences that make the discipline accessible and relevant to assure mastery of the content. Candidates will examine research-based strategies and methods to support students through varied and developmentally appropriate instruction within their discipline and begin creating a resource file for standards-aligned materials to support instruction in their discipline.

EDUC 5582
Secondary Content Methods 1 (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, technology, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. Candidates will plan, implement, and assess learning experiences for their class in conjunction with input and feedback from mentor teachers. Candidates will meet weekly with their mentor teachers and complete weekly reflection journals on assigned topics.

EDUC 5583
Secondary Pedagogy and Assessment for Practicing Teachers (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and demonstrate how to use multiple measures to monitor and assess individual student learning, engage learners in self-assessment, and use data to make decisions. Students will explore a variety of resources and strategies and methods of assessment that engage learners in monitoring their own progress, specifically embedding technology and differentiation into their assessment plans. Candidates will continue development of their resource file for standards-aligned materials that support assessment in their discipline.

EDUC 5584
Secondary Content Methods 2 (3)
The teacher candidate will understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in relevant ways. Candidates will plan, implement, and assess learning experiences for their class in conjunction with input and feedback from mentor teachers. Emphasis will be placed on developing and applying appropriate assessment techniques to ensure students obtain and apply knowledge. Candidates will meet weekly with their mentor teachers and complete weekly reflection journals on assigned topics. They will submit five or more lesson plans for evaluation using the Practicum 2 Portfolio Rubric measuring instructional planning, assessment, application of content, and reflection of one’s practice.

EDUC 5585
School as Community for Practicing Teachers (3)
The teacher candidate will use understanding of differences in individuals, cultures, and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet rigorous standards. Course content will explore diversity of race, ethnicity, religion, language, culture, socioeconomic status, gender, geography, and learner exceptionalities to understand how these differences contribute to the uniqueness of students and how the teacher candidate can best support the needs of each student relative to their lived experiences and needs as an individual.

EDUC 5586
Supporting Literacy in the Content Area (3)
Teacher candidates will develop an understanding of language and the literacy process to promote effective teaching in secondary classrooms. Course content examines reading and writing in content areas, and instructional strategies to support students’ literacy development. Candidates will understand and apply knowledge of how reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills are acquired, developed, and deepened so that they can promote the acquisition of their discipline-specific curriculum in a supportive classroom environment that promotes high standards for all.

EDUC 6580
Supervised Teaching Practicum (3)
Supervised 12-week practicum in an accredited and approved school setting. The candidate’s mentor teacher will provide evaluation and feedback a minimum of three times utilizing the CPAST instrument. The successful completion of this course denotes a candidate’s mastery of the InTASC standards and the ability to be recommended for full Kansas teaching licensure.