FROM THE DEAN
Alumni, Colleagues, and Friends, This past year has been one of challenges and opportunities. No one knew the impact that COVID-19 would bring to a large Big Ten institution like Purdue University and what it might mean for the College of Education. We took it in stride, offering face-to-face and online classes for our undergraduate and graduate students, the majority of which were hybrid in nature (combining the best of what in-person learning and online learning have to offer). We continued with in-school placements for our students and their supervisors conducted observations either in-person or virtually. Students diligently wore masks and engaged in physical distancing within our schools and across the university. They displayed the Boilermaker spirit of never giving up and followed the Protect Purdue Pledge without complaint. I was extremely proud of our students, faculty, and staff for making a difficult and uncertain situation one we will never soon forget. We pulled together and had a successful year!
campus seminars that culminate in an expanded student teaching internship during the students’ final year. One new clinical experience connects students to a community agency serving P-12 youth, expanding access to the rich and varied experiences that P-12 students bring to school.
As we begin fall 2021, we have enjoyed an even greater emphasis on being a residential campus, with a fountain run, donut truck event, and picnic to kick off a fun two weeks of being back together again. Be sure to check out photos from these fun events on pages 10-11.
Additional innovations include specific preparation for students to better meet the educational needs of all learners through new concentrations, including students with disabilities, those with gifts, talents, and creativity, and English language learners. Most students will choose one of these concentrations during their four-year program. Choosing the English language learner or students with gifts, talents, and creativity concentrations will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for an additional teaching license in those areas. There is also a concentration in applied behavior analysis that, with a few additional courses, can prepare students for national certification.
Most classes are offered face-to-face or hybrid for our students, and they are happy to be back on campus! Faculty and staff are as well! The campus is alive and it is wonderful to see. I am also pleased to report we have a distinct on-campus presence with our faculty and staff, keeping some elements of remote work mixed with oncampus work as we learned that most of us can be very productive working from home!
Classrooms in the United States present more complex challenges for today’s teachers. From ever-changing technology to evolving classroom management best practices, teacher education candidates need the right tools to help them succeed in their first classroom and stay in the field of education. We are preparing our students at the highest possible level so that they can assume teaching careers that change lives, one student at a time.
INNOVATION INITIATIVE: OUR NEW TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM
The College of Education is responding to the nation’s changing classrooms by launching its Innovation Initiative, or I2, the most comprehensive change in two decades to our teacher education curriculum. We launched the new program this fall and could not be prouder of the work done by our staff and faculty. Learn more on page 4. I2 incorporates the best of educational research and includes sustained and meaningful clinical experiences in P-12 schools, supported by university coursework. Field experiences are offered each semester combined with on-
Nancy Marchand-Martella Suzi and Dale Gallagher Dean of Education 2
