Christopher Keeler uses a flashcard game with Tatiana to get her to say and sign a letter. She’s very good at this as most of the responses from her were correct and immediate.
Millersville’s teacher preparation However, teachers who graduate from Millersville will have the knowledge and skill to overcome challenges and rise to the top of their professions. That’s because Millersville’s teaching program is superior on a number of levels, according to Bray. Millersville University has deep roots in teacher preparation since its founding in 1855 as the first Normal School in Pennsylvania. Today, three departments are devoted primarily to the preparation of teachers, emphasizing learning communities and demonstrating best practices. One in every three Millersville students is enrolled in a teacher preparation program. A major draw is the University’s nationally recognized faculty members who have dedicated their careers to preparing future teachers. Many faculty members have published text books that are used in classrooms across the nation. “Our teacher candidates are very fortunate to learn from these highly recognized experts,” Bray said. Millersville offers multiple opportunities for field experience for teacher candidates. They are placed in school environments early in their college careers exposing them to young students and different types of schools at an early stage in their education. Some education students are involved in cutting-edge Professional Development Schools, which are highly collaborative and very much supported by school districts. The future educators also get a solid foundation in the liberal arts and in technology. “This preparation is combined with strong teaching pedagogy classes, producing teachers who have strong content backgrounds who also possess the skills to teach,” Bray said.
Millersville University is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and its graduates have been cited as outstanding teachers. Millersville students had an overall passing rate of 99 percent for all Praxis tests as compared to a statewide passing rate of 94 percent for 2010-11. These tests are often part of the certification process required by many states and professional licensing organizations for those entering the teaching profession. Leadership in schools today is a critical and often difficult position that requires preparation to equip leaders with the skills and information necessary for rewarding careers. The new breed of Millersville-trained educators are demonstrating what has always been true: Gifted teachers can transform lives—and can have fun doing it.
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