College of Education Mission, Vision, and Philosophy

Mission of the College of Education

The mission of the CoE is to prepare proficient educators who demonstrate in-depth content knowledge, cultural competence and sensitivity as well as an array of effective pedagogical skills that have been honed through rigorous classroom and field-based experiences, and to facilitate successful teaching/learning outcomes in diverse environments. Both the initial and advanced level programs support this mission that, in turn, supports the mission of the university. We strive to create learning environments and opportunities that prepare proficient educators to perform effectively and ethically in a global and technological society. Through the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, and P-12 professionals, the College of Education establishes instructional expectations that are built on current best practices as identified by state, national, and international professional associations. All teacher-educator faculty are expected to model for teacher candidates the scholarly productivity and pedagogical skills required for all students to achieve high levels of earning.

Vision of the College of Education

Consistent with its historic and current mission, the CoE is dedicated to the preparation of highly qualified academically and culturally Proficient who are thoughtful and caring as they share the CoE’s vision of creating environments of learning and change, with an emphasis on rural communities, that enable students from diverse backgrounds to become responsible and productive citizens in their communities Educators.

Philosophy of the College of Education

The philosophy of the College of Education is that excellent teaching requires a lifelong commitment to and practice of active learning, a practice governed by a nurturing disposition, reflective inquiry, differentiated instruction, and action research. We believe that candidates who are actively engaged in learning in the core and in the new teacher preparation program will actively engage their students. The teacher must be a learner and a researcher, engaging students in learning. We want our teachers and candidates at Fort Valley State University, as well as our public school stakeholders, to change the way students think and respond to learning. Proficient educators demonstrate mastery of their content and professional knowledge and exemplify the ability to use these knowledge bases as the foundation for designing innovative instruction and for designing active learning opportunities for diverse students.