SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Reestablished Tuskegee University School of Education Highlights Importance of Teacher Education Since its founding in 1881, a primary focus of Tuskegee University has been teacher education. While the university has historically graduated and sent hundreds of well-trained teachers into the education workforce over many years, it was not until 2011 that the university’s Board of Trustees reestablished the School of Education as a separate school at the university. Faced with evidence of a growing need for highly competent and contemporary trained teachers, as well as projected demand for more minority participation in the teaching profession, the board decided to transform and strengthen teacher education programs at the university. With this mandate, the School of Education is embarking on several new initiatives. Recently the school made plans for the addition of the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling and for the future expansion of faculty and staff in a number of areas. The school currently offers undergraduate programs that lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, English Language Arts Education, General Science Education, Mathematics Education and Physical Education. All programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
“ The legacy of our past is great, but our challenge for the future is to make the accomplishments even greater.” C A RL TO N E . M O R R IS , P H .D ., D EAN
MISSION
The Tuskegee University School of Education is committed to the education of our nation’s youth so that they become productive citizens. The school places emphasis on producing teachers who serve their local communities and make a difference in the lives of their students. In particular, the school hopes to graduate teachers who work with students in the Black Belt counties of Alabama and the inner cities of our nation. Teachers who are trained at the school are known for their distinctive approach to student learning. They are educated within a Constructivist Reflective Conceptual Framework. The framework’s research and philosophical bases expand the more traditional concept of “knowing,” and support critical and reflective pedagogy, inquiry-oriented teaching and a problem-solving view of learning. Even in its first year of reestablishment as a separate and distinct school at the university, the School of Education is building on the longtime legacy of its more than 125 years of achievement. With ambitious plans for growth and a resolve to strengthen the quality of teacher education even more, the school, under the leadership of Carlton E. Morris, is forging a new, more distinguished profile for the future.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
The quality of the research and education provided by the School of Education is predicated on the quality of its students, faculty and academic infrastructure. It is imperative that the school enhance the resources available for each of these elements so that it can not only be competitive, but strive to be a leader in the nation’s efforts to prepare the dedicated, well-prepared teachers that are needed in the generations to come. While the need for additional resources is great, the priorities in seeking a funding total of $8,460,000 and are as follows: Academic Infrastructure
$5.5 Million
The quality of the academic facility is critically important for the school to build its programs and maintain a high standard of excellence in all of its operations. With the mandate to expand programs, there is a corresponding need for facilities that can serve the research and education needs of the school’s faculty and students. The current facility is insufficient, especially given the plan to expand, first with a new Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling. Additionally, the current facility is unable to accommodate all of the school’s faculty and staff, and the result is a less than optimal situation where they are dispersed to different locations. Renovation of Thrasher Hall would provide sufficient space to accommodate all of the faculty and staff necessary for current and planned programs. Endowed Faculty Chair
$1.36 Million
While several new faculty and staff will be needed as the school expands its programs and offerings, a critical need will be the development of an endowed chair to enhance the academic excellence of the school and ensure its competitiveness as a leader in producing highly qualified teachers who are prepared to serve diverse populations. Scholarships
$1 Million
The most basic evidence of the quality of the school’s programs is found in the success of its students. The reality is that competition to recruit high-achieving students is fierce. Recruiting such students for both undergraduate and graduate programs requires financial incentives. Scholarship funding will ensure that the school is able to recruit deserving students, regardless of their financial ability. Administrative Support for Academic Programs
$600,000
The newly reestablished School of Education will require additional administrative staff in order to move forward with existing and new programs. The two most crucial positions that will need to be added are Associate Dean and Certification Officer. These two positions are needed to cope with the school’s expansion and prepare to meet requirements for future reaccreditation.
Tuskegee University is today poised on the brink of reaching yet another milestone in its stellar history, as we prepare to join the ranks of premier research universities in the world. In order to attain this goal we are embarking on a major capital campaign to raise $250 million – “Programmed for Excellence.” Of major importance to this campaign is the support of the Tuskegee University School of Education and its programs, which are integral to our students’ overall educational experience.
C A M PA I G N F O R
Giving to the Tuskegee University School of Education and the “Programmed for Excellence� Campaign If you have an interest in making a contribution in support of the Tuskegee University School of Education, a representative will work with you and your advisers to assure that your gift is the greatest possible benefit to you and the university. Naming opportunities are available in recognition of major gifts to the college, and a university representative would be happy to explore those opportunities with you. For more information, please contact: Virgil E. Ecton Vice President for Federal Affairs and Director of the Capital Campaign 202-863-9384 vecton@mytu.tuskegee.edu Or Tuskegee University Office of Development 326 Kresge Center Tuskegee, Alabama 36088 334-727-8540 334-727-8195 www.tuskegee.edu