English Education Mission & Vision

Mission

The English Education program prepares preservice teachers to teach English Language Arts at the secondary level (grades 5-12). You will join a strong community of educators and work side by side as you pursue your licensure for the state of North Dakota (can be transferred). Through English and Education courses, as well as field experiences and voluntary extracurriculars, you will become a strong teacher of reading, writing, listening, and speaking; a curious, flexible, and reflective educator and learner; and, as you grow in your practice and knowledge, a leader in your profession.

Vision

Our program develops teachers who are ready for the teaching and learning of tomorrow. They are open-minded, reflective, flexible, research-grounded practitioners with curious minds; leaders in their schools; and warm demanders of their students.

Dr. Chatham-Vazquez’s Core Beliefs

• All students are capable of learning.
• Each student has something unique to contribute.
• Each student has intrinsic value.
• If someone wants to learn how to be a teacher, they can learn how to be a teacher.
• Teachers want what is best for students, and, often, we may disagree on what that looks like. What is key is to remember we all have the same goal: student success!
• The best teachers are flexible in their mindsets and curious about their praxis.
• Effective instruction encourages all of us to be lifelong learners, readers, and writers.
• Education is an invitation to learning.
• Teaching/Teachers make a difference.
• Teachers can help eliminate disparities and injustices in education.
• English Language Arts is central to students developing full and fulfilling lives in school and beyond.

Our NDSU graduates of the English Education program are leaders in their teams and schools.