Learn, Grow, Teach

Newsletter - Fall 2023 - Teacher Education at Coe College

Welcome!

We're pleased to share with you the news and events of Fall Semester 2023 Coe College Teacher Education. Our program provides pre-service teachers with foundational experiences that nurture a passion for learning, deepen appreciation of diverse learners, and develop readiness for teaching in today's K-12 classrooms.

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Mentoring teacher candidates

Fall '23 student teachers were excited to meet and welcome their supervising and cooperating teachers at a pre-service workshop in August. The event generates excitement for the teaching semester, helps establish professional rapport, and communicates field experience guidelines. Our fall cohort is pleased to be placed in assignments with educators in Cedar Rapids, Clear Creek Amana, College Community, Linn-Mar, Marion, Mount Vernon, and Xavier schools.

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Coe Advisory Board

Advisory Board members met Nov. 9 to reflect upon and discuss ideas for the approaches to classroom field experiences. Each stage of Coe students' learning during Practicum, Methods, and Student Teaching semesters provides essential professional practices with K-12 students, families, and colleagues. Board members are cooperating teachers, school administrators, alumni, and faculty; the group's shared insights help shape program initiatives.

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Accreditation Cycle

All Iowa colleges and universities with teacher education coursework for licensure participate in an accreditation review--an in-depth study, evaluation, and discussion of its program development and offerings. Proudly, Coe faculty members move forward in the next steps of the state process and this spring will welcome representatives from the Iowa Department of Education to campus.

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What's the academic path of pre-service teachers?

All pathways in Coe Teacher Education lead to earning state licensure, as well as numerous opportunities for endorsement areas. Students can major in Elementary Education or major in a particular discipline (e.g. Math, Science, Language Arts, etc.) for a minor in Secondary Education. Music and arts education (BA) are also distinct aspects of Coe Teacher Education. Regardless of major or minor, all teacher education students take the "Four Core" courses:

Educational Foundations
Exceptional Learners
Educational Psychology
Human Relations

After completing at least two core classes, students may apply to the Coe Teacher Education program to begin an official progression of classroom field placements:

Practicum - First level. Classroom observations and guided experiences.
Methods - Mid-level. Practices in planning, teaching, and assessment.
Student Teaching - Capstone. Two full-time placements. Continuing the guided practices in teaching with both cooperating teachers and a designated Coe supervising teacher.

A sample of student coursework

Students in Human Relations build their capacities for recognizing, understanding, and respecting diversity of people and cultures, with a goal to improve relationships and school experiences for K-12 learners. Above, Coe students attend a class at Feed Iowa First to learn more about issues of food insecurity in Linn County. The non-profit offers access to fresh produce, grows culturally relevant vegetables, and provides nutritious options for underserved communities.

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Motivated Writers

(Elementary Methods Reading) Future elementary teachers planned and provided a variety of writing activities for dozens of young learners (Grades 2-5) during a campus workshop. Coe Teacher Education and Grant Wood Area Education Agency coordinate the event.

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Joyful Readers

(Children's and YA Literature) Garfield Elementary students loved the weekly classroom visits from college readers! Teacher Education students facilitated small reading groups or paired with a K-5 learner to read books and talk together--excellent learning for all involved.

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Creative Thinkers

(Expressive Methods) Students in this fall course explored ways of teaching and learning that embrace creativity--bringing art, music, and multimodality into the design and facilitation of lessons across subject areas.

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Professional stretch!

Serving as a cooperating teacher for future educators could be your next professional stretch--and a rewarding one. The Teacher Education Field Placement Coordinator, Betsy Kigin (bkigin@coe.edu), has worked with districts and teachers for more than 20 years--email her with questions about how you might become involved. (Betsy is a familiar face for Coe education students, too---though some may have been surprised to recognize her as a yoga expert, teaching moves as a guest in a recent Kinesiology class.)

IA teacher of the year to visit Coe College

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Iowa Teacher of the Year to visit Coe

Krystal Colbert will meet Teacher Education students and provide a guest lecture at Coe on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Kolbert, a 16-year veteran educator, teaches second grade in the Southeast Polk district. Kolbert describes her elementary school in Mitchellville as one that teaches students "that positive self-affirmations, healthy habits, and having a growth mindset are essential in reaching their highest potential." We look forward to welcoming her this spring semester!

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From campus to career

Alumni and friends, we want to keep in contact and provide you information about Coe Teacher Education. There also are opportunities to participate as cooperating teachers or serve on our Advisory Board. Your work matters and your mentorship makes a difference. Complete this quick and easy form with your updated information. https://forms.gle/F1xVSyCnCxpgk1BSA