.

Education HOME Undergraduate Programs of Study Teacher Licensure Accreditation
Faculty & Staff Undergraduate Education Courses RtI Certificate and License Renewal Courses Unit Assessment System
Program Overview Graduate Studies IDEAL Educators In Action
Theme, Mission, Philosophy Troops to Teachers Oaks & Willows Learning Center Best Practice Showcase
Praxis Resources EDUNET Newsletters    
 

University of Saint Francis

Educators Academy

 


The intent of the USF Educators Academy is two fold. First, to provide graduate course work on campus for licensure renewal. Second, to offer an online Response to Intervention Certificate program to provide direct, targeted training for teachers, school administrators, school counselors, and social workers/school social workers. The courses will better prepare professionals working in P-12 schools to meet the needs and expectations associated with Response to Intervention (RtI) defined by state and federal laws. This certificate program will be delivered on-line and will allow for flexibility for graduate-level students.

 

What are the requirements for admission?

All Academy applicants must provide:

·    An official transcript of highest earned degree from a regionally accredited institution.

·    A completed Educators Academy online application.

·    A copy of US education license (except for social workers seeking RtI Certificate).

 

How do I apply?

Fill out the online application. Click on Online Application under How do I apply?

 

What is the format of Educators Academy?

Licensure Renewal Courses: A variety of courses are offered at the University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne, Indiana campus. Limited number of seats available.

Response to Intervention Certificate Courses: Response to Intervention (RtI) is a tiered instructional process used to provide services for “at-risk” students.  It requires proper identification of behaviors, data analysis, scientifically/evidence based instruction, and specific interventions to ensure that the at-risk behaviors do not impede student academic growth.  Many districts and school personnel are interested in better preparing themselves in the use and understanding of RtI as a tool to support students of all ability levels. The RtI Certificate program consists of five courses.  The RtI Certificate program courses are offered at a discounted price of $750.00 per course.  Limited number of seats available.

EDUC 650 - Strategies for High Ability and Gifted Students: Practices and Philosophies of Education and Instruction: Online

With recent changes to the High-Ability, Gifted and Talented expectations for classroom instruction and services, comes an array of questions and concerns by classroom teachers as they determine how best to support the growth of their students. This course will provide for diverse experiences around methods and philosophies of education recommended for classroom use with High-Ability students. Participants of this online course will explore such concepts as Problem-Based Learning (PBL), creative problem solving, intervention techniques (RtI), alternative assessment, Discovery Learning, and additional models of teaching strategies as they become better prepared to face the challenges of urban and rural education. Case studies and scenarios will be analyzed and integrated throughout the course of study in an effort to increase the complexity of understanding required to work effectively with K-12 students of high-ability in any content.   

EDUC 567 - Authentic Creative Assessment: Showing Student Growth through Data: Online

Participants will learn to utilize alternative measures of non-traditional testing and assessment forums to show student growth and plan for further instructional needs using case studies and theoretically based practices. Elements of Response to Intervention (RtI) will be integrated to show how best to motivate and promote learning for all students. Connections to curriculum mapping, unpacking standards, and classroom management related to authentic assessment grading will be shared.

EDUC 575 Leveraging Interventions into Practice:  Online

Methods and habits of practice must be aligned to student needs and evidence of learning if progressive instructional options are to prevail in the classroom. This means that many teachers, counselors, social workers, and principals may have a collaborative role in working with students and providing a multitude of services to them. Participants will look at case studies and elements of learning transfer, coaching adult learners, and the ethical considerations of intervention and instruction that meet the identified needs of students in the classroom – as ESL/ELL, Special Ed/inclusion, or high-ability/GT learners.

 

EDUC 645 - Reflective Tools of Intervention: Online

Participants of this online course will learn how student work/artifacts can determine future instructional needs and goals to integrate instructional/organizational/conceptual strategies and interventions that may be lacking in K-12 students as skills. Case studies, authentic work samples, instructional methods of delivery, and possible products of differentiation will be analyzed for elements of intervention that could promote learners from the ESL/ELL, special education, and high-ability/GT populations. Ideas and methods for using this information as a tool and/or for future course planning and professional development around instructional methods will be evident in course work designed for teachers, social workers, counselors, and administrators who wish to learn more about reflective practices.

PSYC 549 - Behavioral Assessment and Intervention: Online

Introduction to the principles and procedures of behavior modification including identification and description of behaviors, strengthening and weakening behaviors, collection of baseline data, and evaluating behavioral programs. This course will also examine behavioral interventions for classroom use.

 

How much?

$750.00 per course. As this is a special rate, no additional discounts may be applied.

 

Why should I do this?

Since the Indiana Department of Education is recommending schools use RtI as the tool to support students of all ability levels, many school personnel are interested in better preparing themselves in the understanding and use of RtI. To address this interest, the University of St Francis is collaborating with the Indiana Department of Education to provide a Response to Intervention Certificate program. Participants will increase their educational skills and marketability. For more information, please visit the Indiana Department of Education website or watch this video.

 

How many credits will apply toward a graduate degree?

The University of Saint Francis will accept a minimum of 6 specified credit hours from the RtI Certificate program toward a master's degree (as determined by the Program Director) in Exceptional Needs or School Counseling in the School of Professional Studies.

 

If you have questions about Educators Academy course offerings, please contact the Admissions Office at 260-399-8000 or toll free at 1-800-729-4732.