Office for Teacher Candidate Preparation (OTCP)
Secondary Education
 |
Dr. Heather Oesterreich Director of Secondary Education 575 646-2194 heathero@nmsu.edu |
 |
Mrs. Deanie Hite Assistant Director of Elementary Education 575 646-7631 dhite3@nmsu.edu
|
Secondary Education Program
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
The Secondary Education Program at New Mexico State University is a comprehensive program that contains several key elements. It has a 55-hour general education core that contains a comprehensive overview of mathematics, science, social studies, English, and culture. The general education core establishes the foundation for the remainder of the academic program.
All secondary education majors have a teaching field major that requires at least 36 hours of academic study. In some areas like mathematics, education majors, take the same course of study as mathematics majors. In the broad teaching fields like social studies, science, and language arts, the course work covers more breadth because of the licensing regulations in New Mexico.
Candidates in the secondary education program, participate in an integrated program that includes an academic teaching field, practicums, and pedagogy. All elements of the field experience and pedagogy classes are integrated and secondary majors are required to utilize and demonstrate what is learned at the university with students in 7-12 classrooms.
Collaborative initiatives with schools permit the secondary education candidate's access to a variety of diverse settings and levels. Candidates at NMSU are required to demonstrate successful implementation of state competencies for secondary education, meet the units' goals and outcomes identified in the conceptual framework and integrate academic content effectively when teaching. In addition, the program's commitment to diversity and assisting all children to become successful are major goals for our candidates.
It is essential that upon completion of the program candidates demonstrate effective teaching practices, be grounded thinkers, be able to assess student learning, be reflective practitioners, and relate effectively to all students.
Students must successfully complete a student teaching component under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Student teaching is a full semester in length and is an all day assignment. During student teaching, a seminar is required that covers a variety of professional and instructional activities. These activities include lesson design, classroom management, parent/teacher conferences, professional responsibilities, and other topics determined by faculty and teachers.
The secondary education program recently initiated a professional development council to enhance practicum's and student teaching experiences. The secondary professional development council consists of public school representatives and university faculty. The council was established to enhance and improve elements of the secondary education program and improve communication between the college and schools.