One of the most-watched TED Talks about education is from teacher Rita Pierson, whose grandparents and parents were educators, too. Speaking to a packed hall, Pierson said that she’s seen plenty of educational reforms in her 40 years as a teacher. But, she said, what’s rarely talked about in education is the value of making connections—of positive relationship-building.
Young people, Pierson said, need people in their lives who will encourage them when they’re making progress, applaud them when they succeed, and remember how tough it was to be a kid.
“Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be,” Pierson said, adding, with a wide smile, “We’re educators. We’re born to make a difference.”
We couldn’t agree with her more.
Teachers make a positive difference in young people’s lives every single day, and that’s especially true in secondary education. Need proof? Just think back on how important your positive relationships with teachers were when you were in middle and high school. Think back on that high school literature teacher who made Shakespeare’s works come alive or that seventh-grade pre-algebra teacher who wasn’t happy until you understood a concept fully.
We won’t lie. Teaching is not easy, especially at the secondary level. You’ll have good days, some not so good days and a few really tough days. But we’re here to give you the educational foundation you’ll need to succeed, creating learning environments that will help students thrive.
Once you complete the Secondary Education program, you’ll be licensed to teach grades 6 through 12 in your core content area (English, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies) in Hawaii and most other states. The best part: Much of your coursework can be completed online, giving you extra flexibility while you gear up for student teaching opportunities in your area.
Program Information
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the our initial teach licensure programs, a graduating student will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Knowledge of subject matter such as reading/language arts, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual arts, musical arts, and kinesthetic arts (Content Knowledge)
- Knowledge of how students develop and learn, including how to engage students in developmentally appropriate experiences that support learning (Developmentally Appropriate Practices)
- Knowledge of how to teach subject matter to students and apply a variety of instructional strategies that are rigorous, differentiated, and focused on the active involvement of the learner (Pedagogical Content Knowledge)
- Knowledge and application of appropriate technology for student learning (Technology)
- Knowledge and use of appropriate assessment strategies that enhance the knowledge of learners and their responsibility for their own learning (Assessment)
- Skills for adapting learning activities for individual differences and the needs of diverse learners while maintaining safe, positive, caring, and inclusive learning environments (Diversity)
- Skills in the planning and design of meaningful learning activities that support and have positive impacts on student learning based upon knowledge of subject matters, students, the community, curriculum standards, and the integration of appropriate technology (Focus on Student Learning)
- Professional dispositions, professionalism in teaching, ethical standards of conduct consistent with Marianist values, and positive and constructive relationships with parents, the school community and colleagues (Professional and Ethical Dispositions and Communication)
Online Degree Requirements
Required Coursework
Students working toward a Bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of coursework, which includes general education requirements, electives, pre-major requirements (if applicable) and major requirements.
Students may choose among four licensure tracks: English, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics. Graduates of the Secondary Education program are licensed to teach grades 7 through 12. In addition to the courses listed below, students must complete additional licensure requirements.
Pre-Major Requirements
- PSY 304 Psychology of Adolescence
- ED 201 Intro to Secondary Education
- ED 220 Educational Foundations
- ED 221 Educational Psychology
- ED 222 Educational Technology
- Upper Division Elective (select one):
- ED 421 Literature for Adolescents
- ED 462 Multicultural Education
Major Requirements
- ED 326 Introduction to Exceptional Children
- ED 404 Managing School Environments
- ED 408 Assessment
- ED 423 Curriculum & Instruction: Secondary
- ED 427 Teaching in Area of Specialization
- ED 490 Seminar
- ED 495 Student Teaching
- Passing scores for the Praxis Secondary Education test or have met subject-credit eligibility requirements per Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) Guidelines respective to the student’s selected licensure track
Note: Student teaching must start within two terms of the completion of ED 423.
