FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2012
For more information:
Bob Edwards
Public Relations Department
Glenville State College
(304) 462- 6390
Bob.edwards@glenville.edu
Glenville, WVâThe Glenville State College Teacher Education program has been granted continuing accreditation for the next seven years through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The GSC Teacher Education Program has been accredited every year since 1954 when NCATE was founded.
"Congratulations to Glenville State College. This NCATE accreditation decision indicates that the Teacher Education unit and its programs meet the rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community," said James G. Cibulka, Council President.
NCATE is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting body for schools and colleges. In NCATEâs standards-based accreditation system, institutions must provide evidence that teacher education candidates possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively teach diverse learners and to have an impact on student learning. Teacher candidates must know and understand the subject matter they plan to teach and to be able to teach effectively so that all students learn. The U.S. Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and the West Virginia Department of Education recognize NCATE as a professional accrediting body for teacher preparation. NCATE and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) have consolidated and are now transitioning into the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
"It is one thing to think that you are doing a good job at preparing tomorrowâs teachers, and it is a totally different and wonderful thing to have experts come in from outside and confirm that for you. The NCATE team that came to Glenville State College for the onsite visit told us that we had developed a wonderful system of collaboration with our public school partners and that we should be proud of that fact," said Dr. Kevin Cain, GSC Associate Professor of Education and Dean of Teacher Education. "Teacher education students will benefit from GSCâs NCATE accreditation by continuing to be eligible for jobs in West Virginia and across the nation," he added.
Twenty-two GSC students have completed their requirements for graduation including student teaching during the fall semester and will be entering the teaching profession. Several have already accepted teaching positions.
Bryan Keiper of Nicholas County, West Virginia is graduating in December with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with specializations in Elementary Education (K-6) and Math (5-9). He has already been hired by the Nicholas County Board of Education to teach math at Summersville Middle School. "The teacher training that I received at Glenville State College has definitely prepared me to be a successful teacher. I am entering my chosen career with the confidence that my GSC Professors have given me the knowledge and skills that are necessary to be an effective teacher. It is amazing how many of the great teachers that we have in West Virginia received their degrees from GSC," said Keiper. His wife Sarah is also a teacher and a GSC graduate. The couple lives in Summersville with their children Spencer and Reed.
Go to www.ncate.org for more information about NCATE.
To learn more about the Glenville State College Teacher Education Program, visit www.glenville.edu or call (304) 462-6200.
