Good teaching comes in a myriad of forms, but good teachers share one trait. They "are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students, so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves. The connections made by good teachers are held not in their methods but in their hearts--the place where intellect and emotion and spirit will converge in the human self."
The Education Department provides the learning environment in which prospective elementary, special education, and secondary teachers develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will enable them to become reflective decision-makers. Through active participation, the department's educational program emphasizes connections between theory and research-based practice. Successful completion of the Saint Francis University program is accomplished when teacher candidates complete all college, program, and certification requirements, and demonstrate their ability and competence to carry out the roles for which they have been prepared according to standards, including the following:
teachers are committed to all students and their learning;
teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to diverse learners;
teachers are facilitators of learning who are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning;
teachers are reflective decision-makers who think analytically about their practice, learn from their experiences, and adjust their instruction appropriately;
teachers are members of learning communities.
The Education Department offers programs for undergraduates seeking to be dual-certified in Elementary/Special Education or Secondary Education. A non-degree certification program is available for students seeking a career in teaching and who hold a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited four-year college or university, with at least a 3.0 GPA. The Department also offers a Master of Education degree, a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Leadership, a Master of Education degree with a Literacy focus and Reading Specialist Certification, Principal Certification, Special Education Supervisory Certification, and Superintendent/IU Executive Director Letter of Eligibility. All Saint Francis University teacher preparation programs have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The mission of the Education Department of Saint Francis University is to provide a curriculum for pre-service and in-service educators that will develop and reinforce reflective practices. We strive to instill in teachers the belief that teaching and learning comprise a holistic process that connects ideas and disciplines to each other and to the personal experiences, environments, and communities of students.
Practical experience in the classroom is an excellent way to begin translating theory to practice and evaluate your interest in a teaching career. At Saint Francis University, if you are interested in teaching, you’ll be in a classroom in your first year of college and every year after. By the time you graduate, you’ll have completed classroom teaching experience at various levels that will enhance your ability to secure a teaching position.
In addition to your practical experience in classroom, your classes at Saint Francis University will give you the solid foundation you’ll need to move confidently into a teaching career. Saint Francis University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary/Special Education as well as Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degrees in Secondary Education. Areas of certification in the secondary areas include: Mathematics, Biology, General Science, Chemistry, Social Studies, English, French and Spanish. All education programs at Saint Francis University are accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and most can be completed in four years.
Upon successful completion of your degree requirements at Saint Francis University, you will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary/Special Education. Those of you enrolled in a secondary academic area will graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in your specific academic subject. Upon passing the Praxis Exams, you will be recommended for a Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate.
For more information concerning the Education Department, contact:
Dr. Joseph A. Meluski, Chair
Education Department
Saint Francis University
P. O. Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940-0600
Phone: (814) 472-3147
Fax: (814)472-3864
E-mail: jmelusky@francis.edu