Education

Our Mission, Goals and Core Values

Mission
The Department of Education at Elmhurst College is committed to the preparation of knowledgeable and caring teachers for a global society. Through collaboration and diverse practice-centered experiences, we strive to prepare educators to be dedicated, ethical leaders in their learning communities.

The Department's mission statement describes qualities of teachers that all PK-12 students need: knowledgeable and caring teachers for our rapidly changing global society. Each undergraduate and graduate teacher education program integrates content specialization, professional knowledge, and practice-centered learning. Teacher preparation programs at Elmhurst College take place within the context of liberal education. For program candidates, this underscores the interdependence among theory, research, and practice, and positions our candidates to be advocates for students and leaders in our profession.

Elmhurst College inspires its students to form themselves intellectually and personally and to prepare for meaningful and ethical work in a multicultural, global society.
From the Elmhurst College Mission Statement (2009)

Goals

• Integrate knowledge from liberal learning, content knowledges and literacies and professional coursework to provide effective instruction for a changing and interdependent world;
• Apply differenciation, research-based practices and assessments and innovative technologies to meet the characteristics and needs of all students;
• Provide safe, caring classroom environments that demonstrate and encourage creative, engaged learning to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers and responsible citizens; 
• Empathize, communicate and collaborate with families of children and youth to connect with school communities in ways that value and respect diversity; and 
• Act as reflective and ethical professionals who are committed to actively collaborating and participating in their schools and in their profession.

Core Values
Founded in 1871 as a proseminary the College has a history of preparing students for lifetimes of professional achievement. As faculty of a college founded in the liberal arts tradition, we believe that all teachers should reflect a compassionate philosophical framework supported by strong theoretical and empirical knowledge of human learning and development and unwavering respect for human diversity. All teachers are responsible for demonstrating the highest levels of commitment to students and their families. Using a repertoire of teaching methods and technologies, every Elmhurst College teacher strives to promote love of life-long learning and responsible citizenship in our local and global communities.

The values of the Department of Education at Elmhurst College provide the foundation for all of our professional interactions and teacher education programs.

Collaboration
We value collaboration as the basis for developing and sustaining strong relationships with students, school partners, families, colleagues, and program alumni and alumnae.

Integrity
We believe integrity is essential for continued growth and development of the members of our profession.

Practice-centered Teaching & Learning
We value teaching and learning experiences grounded in research-based practices and real-world applications.

Professional Excellence
We achieve excellence through on-going professional development, scholarship, and participation in collaborative learning communities.