Posted on Thursday, December 02, 2021
The Education Department got an early Christmas present recently when it learned the program had received an exemplary score from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
“Every year, they put out a report card on how effective a program is in preparing people to become teachers,” said Dr. Gretta Milam, Department Chair. “They collect data from state-mandated assessments, satisfaction surveys and formal teacher evaluations for first-year teachers.”
The state pulls together the data and releases an annual Teacher Preparation Program Effectiveness Measure score.
“We earned a 4 this year, the highest score possible,” said Dr. Milam. “The group considered the last three years of information about our program so they could get a long-term picture of how our candidates are performing. A score of 4 for the past three years is pretty strong.”
The study only includes the college’s undergraduate education degrees and the Master of Arts in Teaching program.
Educating potential teachers is more important than ever, she said.
“The teacher shortage in the state – and across the country – is very much a concern,” she said. “It’s not when the shortage is coming, it’s here right now.”
She doesn’t see enough people enrolling in teacher education, at least through the traditional route, to meet that demand.
“The number of K-12 students we have to teach isn’t going away, so it is a national problem to find quality professionals to teach those kids.”
As evidenced in the teacher preparedness score, the college is dedicated to producing the best educators possible.
To that end, the department will have a new home at West Side beginning in February.
“We will have three great classroom spaces that will feel like a real school classroom,” Dr. Milam said. “Our hope is that we will have the technology that matches what our candidates will see in the classroom as first-year teachers.”
The department’s new space at West Side also will be more conducive to small group work and flexible room arrangements.
“We will be able to modify our classrooms to mirror different school environments,” she said. “We can’t wait to start work in our West Side home.”
Congratulations to Dr. Justin Thurman, Associate Professor of English and the college’s Faculty Athletic Representative, for receiving a full scholarship to the NCAA New FAR Orientation. The event will be held Feb. 17-19 in Indianapolis. The overall program will focus on engaging and empowering FARs and assist them in gaining professional development to advance their roles.
The Sound of Success continues on the Hill. English major Jonathan Williams rang the Chapel bell this week to celebrate his acceptance into the graduate programs at University of South Carolina, Georgia State University and East Carolina University. He plans to pursue a master’s in communication. Graduating seniors who have received either notice of admission to graduate school, or a post-graduation job offer, may ring the Chapel bell to celebrate their accomplishment. Students must complete an online form and they will be sent instructions on how to ring the bell. A list of celebrants will be included in the weekly Panther Tea (formerly Panther Bites) newsletter.
MONDAY
Acting I Acting scenes
6 p.m., Price Theater
Students in the fall 2021 Acting I class will perform their final comedy and drama scenes. The performance will feature not only Theatre majors, but also students from Art and Design, Biology, Digital Creative Media and Film, Pre-med and Political Science. Also appearing will be soccer and football players. Approximately 45 minutes long. Masks required.
Men's Soccer
Junior forward Enrique Hernandez of the men's soccer teamed garnered All-Region honors from the United Soccer Coaches as he was named to the NCAA Division III Men's Region VI third team. Hernandez led LC this past season with 11 goals and 23 points.
http://www.lagrangepanthers.com/sports/msoc/2021-22/releases/20211130m6oyie
Women’s Basketball
The Panthers (4-4, 1-1 USA South) defeated Agnes Scott 90-49 in a USA South game Wednesday. Junior Gracie Brunel led LC with a career-high 32 points. Freshman Kendra Roberts added 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Men’s Basketball
No. 22 Emory downed the Panthers (4-4) 95-65 in a non-conference game Wednesday. Senior Kyle Brown had a game-high 22 points for the Panthers. Freshman Kyle Smith had 14 points in his first start of the season.
CALENDAR
Wednesday
Saturday, Dec. 11
Sunday, Dec. 12
LaGrange College sports management program hosts special week – Nov. 27-29, 2021, LaGrange Daily News
No link available
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LaGrange College's Office of Global Engagement is excited to celebrate 20 years of Study Away travel trips by announcing the destinations and faculty leaders for May 2022: the Cayman Islands, Greece, Peru and France. Take a look
Category: Faculty, Academics, College, Community, Students
Keywords: teacher education
