Education Department

Performance Outcomes for the Teacher Education Program

The Wittenberg teacher education program seeks to address three dimensions of candidate development. The first dimension entails the capacities for professional competence as it pertains to content knowledge, pedagogy and curriculum development. The second dimension, community, relates to the candidate’s care in providing for classrooms, the community at large and issues of advocacy and collaboration. The third dimension deals with character, described in terms of personal character, professional character, and service to the community.  These three dimensions of candidate development provide the organizing structure for the performance outcomes we hold for all candidates in our undergraduate program.

Competence

1. Thoroughly understands the content to be taught.
2. Knows how to present and organize content so that it is clear and understandable.
3. Understands student learning and development.
4. Attends to the cultural, social, institutional or personal factors that affect learning.
5. Integrates curriculum in ways that enrich student learning.
6. Communicates clearly and effectively.
7. Facilitates high levels of productive student engagement.
8. Uses appropriate assessments to plan instruction, monitor progress, evaluate student learning, and adjust instruction.
9. Makes instruction meaningful for all students.
10. Develops students’ creative and critical thinking abilities.
11. Demonstrates appropriate and effective use of resources, media, and technology.

Community

1. Creates caring, respectful, and supportive learning environments.
2. Manages classroom routines, transitions, and physical environments effectively.
3. Guides students towards self-regulation in positive and effective ways.

Character

1. Reflects critically and creatively on teaching and learning.
2. Takes responsibility for professional growth.
3. Demonstrates strong moral character and professionalism.
4. Advocates and collaborates to support the needs of students, families, schools, and communities.