College of Education

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Dean: Dr. Nancy D. Hall
Black Hills State University
1200 University Street Unit 9004
Spearfish, SD 57799-9004
605-642-6550

The mission of the College of Education is to prepare competent, confident, and caring professionals.

Competent graduates demonstrate broad knowledge and apply research-based instructional practices; they reflect and think critically to impact all students.

Graduate exhibit confidence in their ability to positively affect student learning, behavior and motivation.

Caring graduates establish relationships in an environment of mutual respect and rapport as evidence by all students feeling valued and safe.

From the College of Education it is possible to earn the Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Early Childhood Special Education, K-8 Elementary Education, K-12 Physical Education, and K-12 Special Education. Students may earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Education and Wellness Management to prepare them to enter private, public and governmental agencies and businesses. At the graduate level a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction is offered with specializations in reading, mathematics, technology, and science.

The College of Education houses two academic units: 1) the Division of Physical Education and Health and 2) the Department of Education. The Division of Physical Education and Health includes physical education, health, outdoor education, wellness management, and coaching disciplines. The Department of Education includes faculty who provide the professional core courses for teachers at all levels of the school organization from preschool to secondary school including librarians.

Major Programs & Coordinators
Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, Patricia Simpson, SW 203, (605) 642-6132, PatriciaSimpson@BHSU.edu
Early Childhood/Special Education, David Calhoon, J 236, (605) 642-6112, DavidCalhoon@BHSU.edu
Elementary Education, Carol Hess, J 223, (605) 642-6231, CarolHess@BHSU.edu
K-12 Special Education, Lee Pearce, J 231, (605) 642-6509, LeePearce@BHSU.edu
Outdoor Education, Christine McCart, YC 109, (605) 642-6027, ChristineMcCart@BHSU.edu
Physical Education, Betsy Silva, YC 114, (605) 642-6889, BetsySilva@BHSU.edu
Secondary Education (certification), Richard Carriveau, J 203A, (605) 642-6077 RichardCarriveau@BHSU.edu
K-12 Paraprofessional, Patricia Simpson, SW 203, (605) 642-6132, PatriciaSimpson@BHSU.edu
Wellness Management, Rob Schurrer, YC 110, (605) 642-6169, RobSchurrer@BHSU.edu

Secondary Education Program Coordinators
Art, James Knutson, W310B, (605) 642-6104, JamesKnutson@BHSU.edu
Biology, Dan Bergey, SW207, (605) 642-6616, DanielBergey@BHSU.edu
Business, Verona Beguin, MH 328, (605) 642-6398, VeronaBeguin@BHSU.edu
Chemistry, Michael Zehfus, JS 152, (605) 642-6028, MichaelZehfus@BHSU.edu
English, Christine Cremean, MH 320, (605) 642-6248, ChristineCremean@BHSU.edu
History, Kathleen Parrow, J 131, (605) 642-6525, KathleenParrow@BHSU.edu
Language Arts, Ronnie Theisz, MH 326, (605) 642-6247, RonnieTheisz@BHSU.edu
Math, Daluss Siewert, JS 163, (605) 642-6209, DalussSiewert@BHSU.edu
Music, Janeen Larsen, MH 105, (605) 642-6241, JaneenLarsen@BHSU.edu
Composite Science/Composite Math and Science, Janet Briggs, WC 103, (605) 642-6875, JanetBriggs@BHSU.edu
Composite Social Science, Pamela Carriveau, J 122, (605) 642-6006, PamelaCarriveau@BHSU.edu
Spanish, Peggy Buckwalter, MH 315, (605) 642-6195, PeggyBuckwalter@BHSU.edu
Speech/Debate, Sonya Pagel, MH 308, (605) 642-6711, SonyaPagel@BHSU.edu
Technology, Tom Termes, W 313A, (605) 642-6498, TomTermes@BHSU.edu
Theatre, Albert Juhrend, W 227, (605) 642-6268, BertJuhrend@BHSU.edu

Minor Programs & Coordinators
Athletic Coaching, Betsy Silva, YC 114, (605) 642-6889, BetsySilva@BHSU.edu
Early Childhood Education, David Calhoon, J 236, (605) 642-6112, DavidCalhoon@BHSU.edu
Library Media, Scott Ahola, L 108, (605) 642-6359, ScottAhola@BHSU.edu
Middle School, David Calhoon, J 236, (605) 642-6112, DavidCalhoon@BHSU.edu
Physical Education, Betsy Silva, YC 114, (605) 642-6889, BetsySilva@BHSU.edu
Reading, Michelle Hovland, J 221, (605) 642-6226, MichelleHovland@BHSU.edu

Teacher Education

The teacher education program at Black Hills State University prepares students to qualify for licensure to teach in preschool, elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Physical education, special education, art, instrumental music, vocal music and Spanish are kindergarten through twelfth grade preparation programs. Middle school preparation options include mathematics, sciences, social studies, and language arts. Secondary school preparation options include English, speech communication, biology, chemistry, history, Spanish, business, technology, math, and composite majors in language arts, social science, science, and math/science, instrumental music, and vocal music. All teacher education programs maintain approval from the South Dakota Department of Education and the Wyoming Professional Standards Board, and are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Statement of Philosophy

The teacher education program develops the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed by future teachers. Each program requires experiential learning through practicum, internships, and various field experiences. The components of the teacher education programs include:

Curricula Offered

The curriculum for a prospective preschool, elementary school, middle school, special education or secondary school teacher requires four years of college study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree. The curriculum consists of:

Although the curricula are designed to meet teacher certification requirements in South Dakota, students need to be aware that these requirements change independent of the publication of this catalog. All education students should therefore stay in close contact with an advisor in the College of Education to make certain that there have been no certification changes pertinent to their program prior to graduation.

For those people who are interested in becoming teachers, a “Pre-admission Teaching Practicum” (EDFN 395) experience provides the student with the opportunity to enter local/area school districts with the purpose of gaining exposure to direct observation and actual teaching on in a small group or individual basis.

There are a series of pre-admission courses that assist students in determining if they are interested in pursuing teaching as a career. These courses include Foundations of American Education (EDFN 338), Educational Psychology (EPSY 302), Child Growth and Development (EPSY 327 - duplicate credit for PSYC 327 is not allowed), a course in special education (SPED 300 or 405), and Pre-admission Teaching Practicum (EDFN 395).

The basic curricula are presented in each degree requirement section. The freshman year is devoted to General Education courses and the beginning of subject matter preparation in the major. Professional education begins in the sophomore year and continues in a logical sequence during each semester until graduation. An internship is done in the senior year after the student has completed the necessary prerequisite courses in the Professional Education Core and also has acquired background in the major and minor teaching fields.

In order to meet teacher certification requirements, all students must take and pass a standardized content teacher certification exam prior to being allowed to student teach. All students must also take and pass a standardized pedagogy exam during their student teaching semester. Students who do not take the test or who do not pass the test are not allowed to student teach. Black Hills State University is a teacher preparation institution, not a licensure or certifying agency. In order to be certified as a teacher in South Dakota, the student, upon successful completion of the prescribed program, must apply to the Department of Education Office of Policy and Accountability, Pierre, South Dakota. Certification applications are available in the Office of Field Experiences.

Secondary Schools

The courses listed will meet the requirements in professional education for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. In planning a program, the student, with the assistance of an advisor, should select the courses to meet the requirements of general education and a teaching major. Teaching majors are clearly defined in the catalog. If a student has already completed a bachelors degree with a non-teaching major and wishes to complete a teacher certification program, then they should contact the Office of Field Experiences. Students must apply for admission into the Teacher Education Program when they have completed 64 credit hours; and students must pass a content major and pedagogy exit exam before they will be recommended for teacher certification.

NOTE: EDFN 395, Practicum: Pre-Admission Teaching requires significant time traveling to and being in schools.

Pre-Professional Core - 21 semester hours

• EDFN 338 - Foundations of American Education
   
• EDFN 395 - Practicum
   
• EDFN 475 - Human Relations
   
• EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology
   
• INED 411 - South Dakota Indian Studies
   
• PSYC 101 - General Psychology
   
• PSYC 422 - Psychology of Adolescence
   
• SPED 405 - Educating Secondary Students with Disabilities
   

Professional Secondary Ed Teaching Core - 24 semester hours

• SEED xxx Content major methods - 3 semester hours
• EDFN 365 - Computer-Based Technology & Learning
   
• MLED 480 - Middle Level Methods
   
• SEED 408 - Professional Teacher-Secondary Only
   
• SEED 450 - 7-12 Teaching Reading in the Content Area
   
• SEED 488 - 7-12 Student Teaching
   
• SEED 495 - Practicum
   

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