Overview of the Post Baccalaureate (T.E.A.C.H.) Program

The Post Baccalaureate Teacher Education After College Here (T.EA.C.H.) certification program of study is designed for those individuals who have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and seek to change careers to become an elementary school teacher. Interested applicants apply through the South College admissions office and complete an interview with the Program Director to help them determine their interest and commitment to a rigorous and intense program of study. A transcript analysis is made of the applicant’s baccalaureate coursework to determine completion of relevant general studies courses that are foundational to the licensure program of study. During the interview the Program Director and applicant discuss program admissions criteria and confirm any deficiencies that must be satisfied. Degreed individuals, who are working full-time, can expect course work to be offered two evenings per week and on Saturdays. Sequenced field experiences are required and have to be completed during the time K-6 schools are open and/or during appropriate after school programs. This schedule allows individuals to remain employed prior to EDU 4090 A and B, Enhanced Student Teaching. Subsequent to professional education course completion and completion of all program requirements in Assessment Levels I – III, the candidate is approved to advance to Level IV – Enhanced Student Teaching and Program Exit. Each candidate receives two student teaching placements for a total of 15 weeks of full-time student teaching in grades K-3 and 4-6. The first placement – Placement I must be successfully completed to receive approval to advance to the second placement – Placement II. Placement II must be successfully completed to be eligible for a scheduled Program Exit Interview. Student teaching placements near the candidate’s residence are attempted.

The Post-Baccalaureate certification program is designed to be completed in 4 quarters (12-13 months). Candidates are enrolled as full-time students and may qualify for financial aid. No degree is awarded from South College for completion of the Post Baccalaureate program. The South College School of Education reserves the right to make program changes at any time according to any state mandate(s) that require immediate change.

Post Baccalaureate Teacher Education Program Goals

Program goals and candidate learning outcomes are designed to accomplish the mission of the Teacher Education Program and are guided by institutional goals, research, Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards, Interstate New Teacher Curriculum Standards, and Professional Organizations Standards. The following program goals are designed to ensure that candidates have demonstrated acquisition of knowledge, skills, proficiencies and dispositions essential for an exceptional instructional teacher leader to motivate and lead K-6 students to their maximum potential for academic success. Upon successful completion of the Post Baccalaureate Certification program of study, the candidate will:

1. demonstrate a deep understanding of content and pedagogical knowledge and demonstrate proficiency in applying appropriate knowledge to maximize the learning environment for all students.
2. demonstrate essential knowledge, skills and proficiency in responding to individual learning needs by accommodating diverse relationship modes and learning styles of all students.
3. model constructivist teaching and learning through varied instructional strategies and use multiple assessment tools to diagnose and respond to students’ individual learning needs.
4. understand principles of human development and behavior and can design and manage learning environments that promote students’ independence as learners.
5. demonstrate essential knowledge, skills and proficiencies necessary to select and use modern technologies as an instructional and assessment tool that supports student learning and their own professional growth.
6. collaborate with appropriate stakeholders and support personnel in the educational process.
7. reflect on their teaching effectiveness in relation to student achievement and to professional interactions and will select opportunities for professional growth.
8. display professional dispositions characteristic of educators who are informed decision makers that create effective learning opportunities for all students.

Application, Admission and Program Completion Requirements

Candidates pursuing the Post Baccalaureate Certification program of study are required to complete the processes for application, formal admission and program completion in order to be eligible to apply for the initial Tennessee teaching license in K-6 elementary education. According to state and national standards for teacher preparation programs, multiple levels of assessment must occur throughout the program of study and reflect appropriate candidate progress and success. The Post Baccalaureate Certification program of study has multiple assessment measures that occur during four levels: Level I – Pre-Entry; Level II – Entry; Level III – Mid-point; and Level IV – Program Exit. A candidate is required to conference with the Program Director quarterly to discuss his/her academic progress and success and to determine a need for an academic intervention plan, if necessary. The four assessment levels are outlined below:

Initial Candidate Assessment:

It is expected that all applicants will present a strong level of interest for teaching and demonstrate high capability for program success by satisfying pre-entry screening requirements that include the following:

• Satisfy South College admission requirements by:
• complete T.E.A.C.H. application;
• submitting 2 official transcripts from each regionally accredited institution of higher education attended;
• completing initial T.E.A.C.H. interview with Program Director
• demonstrate success in a career field as shown by employer evaluations, awards, or other outstanding recognition;
• demonstrate success in academics as shown by an acceptable score from a test, such as ACT, SAT, GRE, PRAXIS I, MAT etc.;
• provide a writing sample;
• provide acceptable written recommendations from previous faculty and/or employers,
• provide TBI Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Background results to SOE Dean’s office prior to program Orientation; and
• complete Program Orientation, curriculum contract and secure course registration.

Level I – Pre-Entry Assessment
During Level I, the candidate must:

• Complete EDU 4000; 4025 and MAT 4010 with a grade of B or better.
• Satisfy STEA membership and participation and liability insurance.
• Satisfy course required Field Experiences.
• Satisfy course Technology requirements and establish electronic Portfolio.
• Satisfy Professional Development requirements.
• Satisfy professional dispositions assessment.
• Complete assessment conference with Program Director to advance to Level II, and
• Earn cumulative GPA of 3.00.

Level II – Entry Assessment
During Level II, the candidate must:

• Complete interview for formal admission to the program.
• Complete EDU 4026; HIS 4030 and EDU 4065 with a grade of B or better.
• Maintain cumulative GPA of 3.00.
• Provide evidence of Praxis II tests taken.
• Satisfy course required Field Experiences.
• Satisfy course Technology requirements and establish electronic Portfolio.
• Satisfy Professional Development requirements.
• Satisfy professional dispositions assessment.
• Complete assessment conference with Program Director to advance to Level III.

Level III – Mid-point Assessment
During Level III, the candidate must:

• Complete EDU 4055, SCI 4020 and EDU 4075 with a grade of B or better.
• Maintain cumulative GPA of 3.00.
• Provide evidence of Praxis II tests passed.
• Satisfy course required Field Experiences.
• Satisfy course Technology requirements and establish electronic Portfolio.
• Satisfy Professional Development requirements.
• Satisfy professional dispositions assessment.
• Complete assessment conference with Program Director to advance to Level IV.

Level IV – Program Exit Assessment
During Level IV, the candidate must:

• Submit, prior to Orientation, current CPR certification; acceptable medical exam and drug test; evidence of liability insurance; and TBI Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Background results, if more than one year since EDU 4000.
• Successfully complete EDU 4090 A and B in grades K-3 and 4-6. Placement I must be completed with a grade of Pass to advance to Placement II. Placement II must be completed with a grade of Pass to schedule a Program Exit Interview.
• Satisfy Professional Dispositions requirement.
• Successfully complete the Program Exit Interview and electronic Portfolio presentation of program goal achievement.
• Satisfy all Post Baccalaureate program requirements and complete TN licensure application process.

Candidates participate in multiple assessments while enrolled in sequenced coursework over four consecutive quarters. Candidates demonstrate achievement of program goals from various assessments coordinated in course work throughout assessment Levels I – IV. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, candidates are eligible to apply for initial TN licensure in elementary education for grades K-6.