Mission & Goals

BELIEFS

Following in the tradition and identity of the Spiritans, we believe that:

• Every individual has inherent worth and dignity.
• Every individual has the right to a high quality education in a fair and safe environment.
• Understanding and valuing cultural and human diversity enriches the quality of learning.
• A supportive and challenging community promotes individual and organizational excellence.
• Choosing to be an educator creates an obligation to support the well being of others.
• Responsible educators are committed to their profession and to their personal and professional growth.
• Educators facilitate learning in order to effect constructive individual and social change.
• Quality academic and professional preparation contributes to ethical practices that promote human dignity and social justice.
• Organizational excellence requires continuous personal and professional growth of its members.

MISSION

The mission of the School of Education, as a renowned learning community for the mind, heart and spirit, is to guide the formation of moral and ethical educational leaders, to advance innovation in teaching and scholarship, and to foster social responsibility. Within the context of the Spiritan identity and University vision, we will accomplish our mission by exemplifying the scholarly and ethical standards of our profession as we provide meaningful learning experiences, support scholarship, and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships.

PARAMETERS

• The structure and operations of the School of Education support the University Strategic Initiatives.
• Implementation of the Strategic Plan will respect and preserve the principles of academic freedom.

GOALS

• The School of Education will become a premier site for educational leadership and scholarship.
• The School of Education will be a valued neighbor within the local and larger community.

OBJECTIVES

• All graduates will demonstrate excellence in teaching, learning, and practice as measured by national and professional standards.
• All faculty, students, and partners will produce, evaluate, and apply, theoretical and research-based knowledge.
• All graduates will use their knowledge and skills to help others develop their full potential.
• All graduates will promote constructive organizational development and change.
• All members of the School of Education will promote social justice through meaningful community activities.

TARGETS

• We will foster and sustain a culture that models and rewards excellence in teaching to promulgate competent professional practice in our students.
• We will foster and sustain a culture that encourages and rewards faculty and student participation in scholarly activities.
• We will enhance the culture of our School by increasing the diversity of the people, the programs and the curricula.
• We will develop a system to ensure accountability and continuous improvement of our programs.
• We will successfully implement the Leading Teacher Program and complete the work of the Graduate Writing Team.
• We will create new partnerships and sustain existing University regional, national and international collaborative partnerships and build interdisciplinary alliances.
• We will provide an institutional process for consensus building, a supportive system of faculty development and mentoring, and a culture of ethical, civil and collegial behavior.
• We will demonstrate our commitment to service and social justice through community outreach activities.
• We will secure resources to create and maintain optimal conditions for research, teaching, learning, and service.