St. 1 - Liberal Arts Programs

Subject Matter Knowledge-Base in General and Liberal Education

An understanding and appreciation of general and liberal arts including English, literature, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural or physical sciences, and the arts, and the ability to:

1.1

Synthesize, analyze, reflect upon, and write with clarity and structure about ideas, information, and data from a general and liberal education, and the relationships between the various disciplines;

1.2

Understand and appreciate free inquiry in English, literature, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural or physical sciences, and the arts;

1.3

Understand and appreciate free inquiry in English, literature, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural or physical sciences, and the arts;

1.4

Understand the tenets of a free, democratic, and pluralistic society;

1.5

Understand and respect varying points of view and the influence of one’s own and others’ ethics and values;

1.6

Understand and respect the role, rights, and value of the individual in a free democratic society;

1.7

Understand technology and its use for gathering, processing, evaluating, analyzing, and communicating ideas and information;

1.8

Understand the similarities and differences within our culture that support the importance of common good and responsible citizenship within our American society;

1.9

Understand the constitutions and histories of the United States and Michigan;

1.10

Understand and respect individual differences, including the differences identified within the State Board of Education (SBE) Universal Education Vision and Principles;

1.11

Demonstrate the abilities and skills necessary for effective communication in speech, writing, and multimedia using content, form, voice, and style appropriate to the audience and purpose (e.g., to reflect, persuade, inform, analyze, entertain, inspire).

1.2 and 1.3

In Michigan it is required to pass the MTTC's to become a teacher.  There are several tests depending on your major/minor and grade level.  Included are the results from my MTTC testing.  I have one test left to take, the Cognitive Impairments test which is scheduled for January 4, 2014.  Taking and passing these tests illustrates my understanding and demonstration of standard 1.2 and 1.3.

1.5

My transcripts illustrate a desire to continue my education.  They are not perfect, but they do illustrate perseverance.  At one point my grades dipped, but I also saw that as a place to reinvent myself.  Since that point my grades have gone up as did my desire to continue my education.  This illustrates standard 1.5.

As a student and a teacher it is imperative to strive to do the best at all times.  This is evident by my inclusion on the Deans List and the President's List.  This illustrates standard 1.5 in that I value a strong academic background and my understanding of the value education has in today's society. 

1.11

At the beginning of my final student teaching practicum, I introduced myself to the students and families I would be working with in the form of a welcome letter.  This welcome letter was sent home the first week of school to all of the students in my class.  At the conclusion of the semester, I sent home a letter to all of the students in my class thanking them for allowing me to be a part of their child's lives.  This illustrates my ability to communicate effectively with parents and the community in which I am a part of, standard 1.11.