Teacher Education Center

Objective
The main objective of the Teacher Education Center (TEC) is to enhance the preparation of candidates in teacher education. The main source of funding is Title III federal funds. Candidates (prospective teachers) who have declared education as a major must pass many exams and meet rigorous requirements before they are certified to teach.
Our main aim is to work with candidates to improve academically and professionally. We look for the positive aspects of what students bring to us. While the TEC aggressively recruits talented candidates who are interested in becoming teachers, we also work diligently to facilitate an environment that fosters positive outcomes. In other words, we guide candidates to set priorities on what is important so that they will graduate, become teachers and continue to be productive citizens in society. We care.
The TEC
- provides information about requirements for becoming a teacher
- provides tutoring regarding those requirements to pass the *Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (APTT), math, writing, and reading comprehension, the College of Education (COE) Exit Exam (Philosophy), the English Proficiency Exam (EPE), the Nelson-Denny Reading Exam, and the Baccalaureate Writing Competence Test (BWCT)
- offers a course EDU 100 Preparation for Admission to Teacher Education
- has a resource library that includes dictionaries, thesauruses, Teacher Education Center designed booklets and handouts, books, journals, and other publications for student use
- has a computer laboratory with state-of-the-art hardware, software and Internet connectivity.
- Windows, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Corel WordPerfect, Print Shop, SPSS, and Test Preparation/Writing Software
- Lamination for currently enrolled COE students
- Stencils, Markers, Colored Pencils, and Crayons
- Teacher Education Program (TEP) Admission and Student Teaching Applications
- TEC constructed Doing Research handbook and The Internet and the Educator: Helping Prospective Teachers Improve Their Knowledge of Developing Lesson Plans and other Teaching Materials Via the Internet
- TV/VCR, Overhead Projector
- Materials for preparation of the EPE, BWCT, COE Exit Exam (Philosophy), and the *APTT
Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (APTT)
The Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (APTT) is required by the Alabama State Department of Education to certify prospective teachers in the State of Alabama. The purpose of the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (Phase I) is to ensure that applicants for initial teacher certification are competent in reading, writing, and mathematics. The test will be administered in two phases: Pre Professional Skills – Phase I and Subject-Specific Testing – Phase II. The cost, test dates, and registration procedures are available on the Alabama State Department of Education website: http://www.act.org/alabamapttp. The telephone numbers are 1-800-294-2105 or 319-341-2500.
Students are required to take EDU 100 or EDU 500 Preparation for Admission to Teacher Education as a prerequisite to taking the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (APTT). The students’ strengths and weaknesses will be discussed with them, which will enable students to focus their study efforts in the appropriate areas. Also, to prepare for the APTT), students may attend workshops and study sessions sponsored by the Teacher Education Center and pick up materials available in the Teacher Education Center Resource Library.
Information on Writing An Educational Philosophy
1. BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY
Metaphysics
Ethics
Epistemology
Aesthetics
Axiology
Logic
2. ORIENTATIONS OF PHILOSOPHY
Perennialism
Progressivism
Behaviorism
Essentialism
Existentialism
3. BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE ESSAY
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
4. THINKING THINGS OUT
Answer these questions before you start to write a draft.
"The Breakdown"
In determining your beliefs about teaching and learning, students, knowledge, and what is worth learning, try answering these questions for each area:
Beliefs about teaching and learning
- What is the teacher’s primary role?
- Is the teacher a subject matter expert who can efficiently and effectively import knowledge to students?
Beliefs about student
1. What are your beliefs about students?
Beliefs about knowledge
- How do students learn? In small bits of subject matter or more concepts of big ideas?
Beliefs about what is worth teaching
- What should be taught?
Personal beliefs in Philosophical Areas
- Are you an essentialist, behaviorist, progressivist, existentialist, perennialist or reconstructionist? Or does your philosophy include more than one orientation? Why?
5. Finally
- Write a draft of a philosophy paper.
Do not wait until the last minute to seek assistance.
- Write a draft of all five philosophical orientations well in a advance of the COE Exit Exam, and get several people to proof your essays.
Hours of Operation
Fall and Spring
Monday--Thursday
9:00 A.M.--8:00 P.M.
Friday
9:00 A.M.--5:00 P.M.
Summer
Monday--Thursday
9:00 A.M.--5:00 P.M.
Closed on Friday
Hours are subject to change due to inclement weather or staff shortage.
Contact Us
Teacher Education Center
Paterson Hall Room 215
Alabama State University
915 South Jackson Street
Montgomery, AL 36101-0271
phone: 334-229-7506
FAX: 334-229-7508
Mrs. Pearla W. Griffin, Director
pwgriffin@alasu.edu