School of Education

Welcome! Come visit our new space in Brown Hall.

Dr. Barbara Searight joins the University as Associate Dean of LSSU's School of Education. Searight has been executive director of North Star Habitat for Humanity since 2008. She has been teaching courses as an adjunct in communication and political science at LSSU and psychology at Algoma University in Sault, Ont. During an 18-year tenure as executive director for the St. Louis (Missouri) Office for Development Disability Resources she landed federal HUD grants cumulatively worth more than $2 billion.

Searight holds Michigan Professional Teaching Certification in early childhood education, elementary education, social science, teacher of homebound, physical/otherwise health impaired, and cognitive impaired. She has a PhD in administration and public policy analysis, and a master's degree in education, both from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo. Her B.S in education comes from Wayne State University. Searight also holds a certificate of proficiency in sign language from Florissant Valley Community College. Contact her at the School of Education Office (906) 635-2811 or by email at: bsearight@lssu.edu

What's really new? The following items are all updated for the Fall 2009:

• The Degree Audit page has had a major update with new audits for every program effective for the Fall 2009. This revision to audits removes CSCI101 Intro to Computer Science, but brings no other changes. By using the NEW 2009 audit you will not need a course waiver for CSCI101. The audit continues to show a single semester student teaching placement and alignment to the most current standards approved by the MDE.
• There is a new Student Teaching Handbook v.1.03 posted the Forms/Handbooks page (Oct-09)
• Teacher Education Check-off :  Learn what to do and when to do it - now released as version: v.2E
• Careers In Education Talk View this presentation made to undecided majors at our campus where we discussed careers, salaries, and more.  This is a good primer for careers in education.
• Information on the Teacher Education Program, please review our Program Overview and Fall 2009 Update
• The Path to Certification: a brief history Read chronological review of what needs to happen to process your certificate at the end of your teacher preparation program. This includes information on the Letter of Professional Standing and the OCT.
• The Fall 2009 Application for Admission to the Teacher Certification Program
• Updated Undergraduate Student Handbook Fall 2009 version 3.01

Federal TEACH Grant

This new financial aid grant program can provide up to $4k/year for up to a total of $16K to qualifying individuals preparing to be math, language and science teachers.  Individuals seeking a masters degree can qualify for an additional $8K. These grants can be in addition to existing financial aid and loan limits.   To remain qualified for the grant a person must teach the high-need subjects for 4 years in a low income school district and fulfill ALL grant provisions, otherwise the grant reverts to an interest bearing loan.  Ask your financial aid counselor today about the TEACH program. 

• Short Summary of TEACH Grant
• TEACH Grant Slide Handouts
• TEACH Grant Interest Survey from Financial Aid Office (viewable with Internet Explorer ONLY)

Important Announcements Graduate program reduced from 36 to 32 hour degree. Student Teaching reduced to ONE SEMESTER effective March 18, 2008. See an education adviser for waivers.   CSCI101 dropped as program requirement in education, get waiver from your education adviser. EDUC423 and EDUC424 not offered in 2009-2010 and will be waived if you graduate by August 2010 Audits for the fall 2009 now posted to audit page School of Education requirements were raised to include 60 hrs completed prior to admission, completion of MA102 or higher; and passing Basic Skills Test in two attempts or less Elementary students limited to Math, Integrated Science, Social Studies, World Languages, and Language Arts (when approved, English for now). New classes added in Visual and Performing Arts Methods and Health/Physical Education Methods Student Teaching becomes a graduation requirement for ALL teaching majors, graduation follows student teaching Interns complete Teacher Work Sample providing evidence and analysis of their effectiveness in causing student learning Review Presentation of Changes Review Teacher Work Sample presentation Download the Teacher Work Sample Training Manual Download a Teacher Work Sample Instructions Annotated Teacher Work Samples - see real work by real students with real teacher comments to identify the really good and the really bad.  It's really helpful.

Ontario College of Teachers We are pleased to have helped many Ontario students reach their goal of becoming an elementary or secondary teacher.  Many students even complete some early coursework at an Ontario school such as Sault College or Algoma.  The single most important factor is to receive early advising to ensure that courses completed at other institutions will meet the program requirements of our Michigan approved program.  Please call our friendly helpful staff for additional information (906) 635-2811. "My journey through the Lake Superior State University Teacher Education Program prepared me greatly for my first year of teaching.  Actually,  I feel as though it is my second year  of teaching because of the year-long internship.   That was the most enriching part of the  program.  It was truly a hands-on/project-based experience - the best way that students learn!  LSSU's  Teacher Ed program is the BEST!!!  Talking with teachers, principals, and educational leaders, they can't believe the exposure that LSSU grads have to teaching!"     -- Shawna Possebon, 2005  LSSU  School of Education graduate   Periodic Review/Program Evaluation All programs leading to teacher certification are subject to review and realignment against standards set by the State Board of Education. Applications for approval for new programs, or for programs where the standards have changed can be reviewed here.

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