The Master of Arts in Teaching graduate program at the University of Central Arkansas has been selected as a finalist in the Association of Teacher Educator’s Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award.
The award honors outstanding teacher education programs that exemplify comprehensive and cohesive teacher preparation courses aligned with strong collaboration between local school districts and institutions of higher education in program development.
UCA faculty and graduates of the program will make a presentation at the ATE’s 2010 Annual Meeting in Chicago in Feb. 15. The recipient of the Distinguished Program in Teacher Education will be announced during an awards dinner Feb. 16.
The Master of Arts in Teaching graduate program provides teacher candidates with opportunities for graduate students to obtain an Arkansas teaching license. The College of Education offers the five-semester program for individuals without teaching credentials who have earned baccalaureate degrees and want to become classroom teachers within a short period of time.
The MAT graduate program began in the fall of 2006 with 40 students. Within three years, the program has grown to more than 240 students.
Dr. Nancy P. Gallavan, professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, submitted the application for the award. She was ecstatic when she learned that UCA’s program was a finalist.
“The fact that we are just in our fourth year and have made such remarkable advancement in our numbers and program development reflects everyone’s dedication to the program,” said Dr. Gallavan, who is also the president-elect of the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators.
UCA’s program fills a need for alternative ways for teachers to get licensed in the state, said Dr. Tammy Benson, director of the MAT graduate program.
“We look at what the teacher candidates need and how to make sure that our students become the best teachers in Arkansas,” Dr. Benson said. “We are not preparing non-traditional teachers. We are producing the best teachers in the state.”
Many of those in the program are pursuing teaching as a second career.
“In their hearts they always wanted to be teachers,” Dr. Gallavan said. “We build on that belief and help them fulfill their passion with a purpose.”
The program has issued more than 200 provisional licenses to allow teacher candidates to teach while they are in the program. A majority of the candidates are teaching in areas where there is a shortage of highly qualified teachers. This past semester, teacher candidates completed their internships in 52 schools throughout the state.
“They are going to areas where they are needed, and we are proud of them,” Dr. Benson said. “They are making a difference.”
