
Professional Semester (senior year) including:
Teacher candidates must satisfy cognitive and experiential experiences which lead toward appreciating and understanding human behavior in a multicultural society. Teacher candidates must satisfy this requirement by participating in one of the following ways:
Admission to the Teacher Education Program is a prerequisite for all courses beyond Educational Psychology.
First year:
If you are considering teaching as a profession, seek information about teacher preparation from someone in the Education Department.
Sophomore year:
Begin teacher education by taking Education 290: Educational Psychology Spring Semester. Complete PRAXIS I: PPST skills test. Apply for acceptance into Teacher Education Program. Consider a second teaching major or coaching license.
If you are unsure about teaching, consider enrolling for Interim Perspectives on Teaching.
All students seeking teaching preparation must schedule an interview for program planning with a member of the Department of Education.
Junior year:
If you are approved for the Teacher Education Program, enroll in Education 330, 372, 375, and the appropriate special methods course(s). Note: either Education 330 or the special methods course must be taken the semester immediately preceding the Professional Semester.
Senior year:
Select one semester as the Professional Semester, scheduling Student Teaching, Senior Seminar, and Human Issues in Education. Only teacher education courses can be taken during this semester.
Ninth semester:
Students unable to complete the teacher education program by the end of their senior year are eligible for a reduced tuition charge for fifth-year professional semester credit provided their baccalaureate degree from St. Olaf has been completed. See the Education Department for guidelines.
In addition to retaining a sufficient GPA, teacher education students must be successful in clinical assignments and exhibit acceptable written and oral communication skills.
Students may petition any adverse decision relating to their status in the teacher education program.
This program provides a comparison of the Asian-American and Polynesian cultures and educational systems through readings, guest lectures, workshops, field trips, and participation as tutors in two different Hawaiian cultural immersion programs for students who are experiencing cultural identity conflicts. Course sites are on the islands of Oahu, Maui and the Big Island (Hawaii). Offered during Interim.
Dimensions of Multiculture and Awareness
Students study the complexity and importance of education with a multicultural and global emphasis. They spend half-days in a multicultural classroom setting, learn about ethnic neighborhoods, and work in teams to develop a curriculum project exploring a cultural or global theme. Offered in Chicago during Interim.
Perspectives on Teaching
This course provides practical experiences and insights for students desiring to explore career opportunities in the many facets of education. Students live off-campus, participating in different observational and practical experiences in a variety of schools and institutions. (Primarily for sophomores) Offered during Interim.
Urban Alternative Education Practicum
Students working as paraprofessionals gain direct teaching experience in Minneapolis or St. Paul Public School Alternative Programs. This course is designed to heighten students' sensitivities to the complexities of the education of high-risk youth in a multicultural setting. Offered during Interim.
Urban Teaching Semester - ACM
Chicago is the base for a number of programs including student teaching and a program of studies leading toward ESL licensure. As part of this ACM program, students from 14 colleges share housing, field trips and seminars on a variety of social, cultural, educational and political concerns in addition to the teaching experience. See the Index for further information.
Student Teaching Abroad
Students can student teach in India, Hong Kong, or Seoul, Korea. The possibility of a site in Latin America will be decided in 1996. Students must apply for a student teaching abroad placement by October 1 prior to the academic year in which the placement will be made. Applicants are screened by a committee of students and faculty. These assignments meet all the requirements for Minnesota licensure.
Student Teaching in Texas
A limited number of students can student teach in the Pharr, San Juan, Alamo (PSJA) School District in Texas. Located in the Rio Grande Valley adjacent to Mexico, the majority of the population is of Mexican ancestry. A knowledge of the Spanish language, while valuable and useful, is not necessary.
Fine Arts/ Elementary Education
This program is based on a liberal arts background with a double major and provides preparation for licensed elementary classroom teachers. The Fine Arts major (with emphasis on dance, music, theater, visual arts) is earned at St. Olaf; the elementary education major is earned at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. (See the Interdisciplinary Studies section or Index for more information.)
ACM Urban Education Program Bilingual/ESL Teacher Licensure Program
It is estimated that four million students in this country have limited proficiency in English. The Bilingual/ESL Teacher Licensure Program addresses the need for certified teachers for such students. Bilingual and ESL courses are offered in Chicago during a nine-week summer session. Typically, they are taken in the summer between the student's junior and senior years or prior to student teaching on a ninth semester or thirteenth term.
Advisor: Debra J. Anderson, Department of Education
Harlan Anderson
Adjunct Supervisor of Student Teachers, 1995-
B.A., M.A., College of St. Thomas; C.A.S, Harvard
Jolene Barjasteh
Assistant Professor of Romance Languages, 1984-
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Illinois
Modern language education
Char Bezanson
1988-
B.S., M.S., Minnesota
Science education
Larry Fowler
Instructor in Education, 1991-
B.S., Mankato; M.Ed., Minnesota
Social studies education
James Holden
Assistant Professor of Education, 1994-
B.A., Augsburg; M.A., Minnesota
English education
Gloria Kiester
Associate Professor of Music, 1967-
B.A., St. Olaf; M.M.Ed., Colorado
Vocal music education
John King
Adjunct Supervisor of Student Teachers, 1995-
B.A., M.A., St. Thomas
Ann Leming
Instructor In Education, 1981-
A.B., Westmont; M.A., Utah
Special education
Kathleen Lenzmeier
Instructor in Art, 1992-
B.A., Kearney State College
Elementary art education
James May
Professor of Classics, 1977-
B.S., Kent State; Ph.D., North Carolina
Latin education
Paul Niemisto
Associate Professor of Music, 1978-
B.M., M.M., Michigan
Instrumental music education
Bruce Phelps
Instructor in Music, 1993-
B.A., Concordia College (Moorhead); M.S., Bemidji State
Secondary vocal music education
Mark Schelske
Associate Professor of Education, 1987-
B.A., Carleton; M.A., St. Thomas; M.A., Ph.D., Minnesota
Secondary education
Myron L. Solid
Professor of Education, 1971-
B.S., M.Ed., Colorado State; Ph.D., Colorado (Boulder)
Secondary education
Evelyn Sonnichsen
Instructor in Education, 1994-
B.S., M.A., Ohio State
Secondary art education
Mark Storry
Instructor in Education, 1996-
B.S., Minnesota
Chemical awareness
Michael Tillmann
Instructor in Speech-Theater, 1992-
B.S., Wisconsin (River Falls); M.A., North Dakota
Speech-theater education
Ann L. Wagner
Professor of Dance, 1961-
B.A., Augustana (Rock Island); M.A., Iowa State; Ph.D., Minnesota
Dance education
Martha Tibbetts Wallace
Associate Professor of Mathematics, 1977-
B.A., St. Olaf; M.A., Ph.D., Minnesota
Mathematics education
John Welckle
Assistant Professor of Education, 1988; 1991-
B.A., Augsburg; M.A., Ph.D., Minnesota
Social studies education
Lawrence E. Zimmerman
Assistant Professor of Education, 1990-
B.S., St. Cloud; M.A., Minnesota; Ph.D., Wyoming
Secondary education