Mission, Vision, and Values

About the School of Education
In this Section

Mission

The mission of the School of Education is to cultivate effective leaders and impactful educators in their fields by promoting collaborative, applied learning opportunities through exemplary teaching, research and service

Vision

The School of Education (SOE) faculty and staff have the vision of preparing teachers and other professional educators who are reflective practitioners and engage in evidence-based practice.

Values

It is the purpose of the School of Education to adhere to and apply the institutional values to the accomplishment of the SOE mission, vision, and goals. The values and purposes were developed through a consensus process and apply the institutional values to the preparation of education professionals. The faculty and staff of the School of Education value and are committed to the following:

Excellence in teaching

Excellence in teaching within high-quality, student-centered undergraduate and graduate education programs involving active learning and appropriate technology; therefore, we will:

  • Model best practice
  • Build upon a strong content background
  • Foster the understanding of growth and development and of learning processes
  • Actively engage candidates in learning and assessment
  • Challenge each candidate’s thinking
  • Utilize technology to enhance candidate learning

Scholarship and Research

Scholarship and Research within the applied knowledge and general education; therefore, we will:

  • Conduct scholarly research
  • Mentor candidate research skills
  • Disseminate scholarship and research findings
  • Reward excellence in scholarship and research
  • Participate in professional scholarly organizations

Collaborative Relationships

Collaborative Relationships with business, industry, education, community and government; therefore, we will:

  • Cultivate educational partnerships
  • Collaborate with industry, business, government, and professional organizations
  • Nurture collegial relationships with cooperating teachers and supervisors
  • Promote consistent, positive communication with internal and external audiences

Growth and Development

Growth and Development of students, faculty, and staff through active participation in university and professional communities; therefore, we will:

  • Participate in service at the school and university levels
  • Engage in professional development
  • Provide leadership at local, state, national, and international professional communities
  • Support candidate, faculty, and staff with opportunities to engage in professional communities at the local, state, national, and international level

Diversity

The diversity of people, ideas, and experiences; therefore, we will:

  • Value candidate and faculty diversity
  • Model respect for differences
  • Recruit and support a diverse candidate and faculty population
  • Provide candidates with opportunities to learn from diverse populations

Active Involvement

Active Involvement in shared governance, consensus-building teamwork, open and effective communication, and respectful, ethical behavior; therefore, we will:

  • Model respectful and ethical behavior
  • Provide leadership
  • Promote open and effective communication
  • Collaborate with organizations to improve the quality of education
  • Participate in decision making that drives policy