Program mission statement
When an education professional leaves the Saint Martin’s education
programs, they will take with them a core set of human, spiritual, and
democratic values. They are ready to promote hospitality, scholarship, and
education within the community of the school. The pluralistic and ever
changing worlds of diverse students and knowledge will always be welcomed by
our graduates. Such is our mission.
As a community of educators, we see the values of hard work, flexibility,
compassion, and camaraderie reflected in our commitment to bridging and
connecting the classrooms at Saint Martin’s with the schools of the
community. We see it in ourselves as we mutually support each other with
personal encouragement and academic integrity. We value our heritage and our
mission continues.
Program goals, objectives and outcomes
The goal of Saint Martin’s University College of Education is to select
and prepare teacher / counselor / administrator candidates to become
outstanding P-12 professionals. To the general University emphasis on basic
strength in academic areas of study for all graduates, the college adds
strong professional teacher / counselor / administrator training programs
which complies with specific state requirements. The programs are also
shaped by practitioners who serve on its Professional Education Advisory
Boards (PEABs). True to its Catholic Benedictine heritage, the College of
Education shares the University’s strong emphasis on moral and ethical
values. A teacher/counselor/administrator educated at Saint Martin’s will
enter his/her first school prepared not only with knowledge, but also with
strong values, an educational philosophy centered on meeting the needs of
the individual child, and a base of experience upon which to build.
The college’s following three goals, therefore, lead us to the core of
our conceptual framework:
Curriculum (Knowledge): The College of Education
programs are dedicated to developing competent teachers, counselors, and
administrators who have strong knowledge in subject matter. Individuals
completing our programs will utilize technology as it relates to
teaching/counseling/administration; participate in free and open inquiry;
and problem-solve and construct new learning opportunities for themselves,
P-12 students and staff.
Pedagogy (Skills): Individuals will develop and utilize
pedagogical / counseling / administration strategies and skills necessary to
their program. The College of Education programs will provide a community
for P-12 / SMU collaboration, thus enriching pre-service through the
professional performance continuum. Individuals completing our programs will
have participated in a variety of leadership opportunities and multiple P-12
field experiences, including placements with school districts with diverse
student populations.
Character (Dispositions): The College of Education
programs are dedicated to developing a caring community of
teacher/counselor/administrator-colleagues with strong ethical character,
professional leadership, collaborative skill, openness to innovation, and
personal integrity. Individuals completing our programs will reflect
democratic traditions – including acceptance of the individual and
sensitivity for cultural diversity.