Project: Teaching!
Applications deadlines: August 15 (fall start), December 15 (winter start) and April 1 (summer start).
Program Description
A teacher certification program in the fields of agriculture, art, business education, computer science, foreign languages, mathematics, music, sciences, and technology approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for persons with bachelor's degrees in school subject areas.
Program in Brief
The instructional program features:
- Six weekend class meetings - Friday evening & all day Saturday.
- Web-based assignments - Visit educational web sites, write reflective papers.
- Practical teaching experience as a substitute teacher in a school near you.
- Required student teaching or teaching with a two-year permit.
Project: Teaching! Schedule
Component |
Fall Start |
Winter Start |
Summer Start |
Trimester 1 |
Friday and Saturday meeting once each month - September to December |
Friday and Saturday meeting once each month - January to April |
Friday and Saturday meeting once each month - May to August |
Trimester 2 |
Two Saturday meetings - January and March |
Two Saturday meetings - May and July |
Two Saturday meetings - September and November |
Student Teaching |
Fulltime - August to January |
Fulltime - August to January |
Fulltime - January to June |
Standard |
First Trimester assignments |
Second Trimester assignments |
1 |
Resume’, transcripts, Praxis I & II |
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2 |
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Describe how sections of the unit in standard 4 address intellectual, social, and personal development of students |
Paper on Wisconsin Indian Bands & minority relations |
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3 |
- |
Reflective Paper on Rural Education |
Modifications to the Unit in standard 4 for Student Differences |
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For Teachers of Students Birth to 21 only: Journal describing early & middle childhood practicum experience |
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4 |
Instructional Unit with description of instructional strategies |
For Teachers of Students Birth to 21 only: early and middle childhood subject area unit |
For Agriculture, Social Studies, & Science Teachers only: Environmental education unit plan |
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Social Studies Teachers only: Cooperative marketing and consumer cooperatives unit |
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5 |
Reflective Paper on Classroom Discipline |
- |
Analysis of the conflict resolution procedures |
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6 |
- |
Sections on “Students” from Reflective Paper on Communication |
Evidence of effective communication from your professional experience outside teaching |
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7 |
- |
Reflective Paper on Inquiry |
Expansion of unit from standard 4 showing how it fits in the long range plan for nine weeks |
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8 |
- |
Reflective paper on standardized assessment |
Performance assessment rubric from curriculum unit |
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9 |
- |
20-hour pre-student teaching journal |
Reflective paper on role as regular education teacher based on an interview with a special education teacher |
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10 |
- |
Section on parents & colleagues from reflective paper on communication |
Journal of practicum experiences with minority students |
View course syllabi
As a result of your work in these two trimesters you will develop a professional portfolio to show your knowledge, skills, and dispositions to teach. Two types of required teaching are possible:
- Two-year Teaching Permit
- Candidates who hold degrees in Visual Arts, Computer Science, Engineering, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Music, or Science and who have five years of professional work experience are eligible to obtain a permit to teach after completing a 100-hour program. Teaching fields related to these degrees are considered shortage areas. Upon successful completion of the program you are eligible for a teaching permit that allows you to teach for two years under supervision.
- Student Teaching
- Candidates who do not have degrees in areas required for the two-year Permit program or who do not meet the five year professional work requirement are placed in the “Certification by Equivalency” program. The major differences are that these candidates must have the equivalent of a major in a teaching field and must also student teach for one semester. Please contact us for details. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates are fully licensed as Initial Educators. This is the same license issued to all other new teachers and qualifies holders to teach in any public school in Wisconsin.
After teaching for a semester (or two years under the permit) you develop a second portfolio to show how you have affected your students' learning... how your knowledge, skills, and dispositions have grown. Successful completion of this portfolio leads to your initial educator's license.
Requirements
| Program | Two-Year Permit | Certification by Equivalency |
|---|---|---|
Degree Required |
Bachelor's degree in art, computer science, engineering, foreign language, mathematics, music, or science -- GPA of at least 2.75 |
Bachelor's degree with the equivalent of a major in a K-12 teaching field -- GPA of at least 2.75 |
Work Experience |
5 year minimum |
2 year minimum |
Tests Required |
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License Required |
Substitute Teacher or Emergency License ($100 fee to Wisconsin DPI) |
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Program of Study |
Monthly classes, papers based on web-based study, 20 hours of substitute teaching |
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Portfolio |
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Required Teaching |
Two years of supervised teaching |
One full semester of student teaching |
Portfolio |
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Waiver of Admission Requirements
All participants will be required to meet the following admission requirements:
- Degree Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college with GPA of 2.75 and the equivalent of a major in a teaching area.
- Two-year permit participants must have a degree in art, computer science, engineering, foreign language, mathematics, music or science.
- Prior Experience:
- Two years of experience after award of bachelor’s degree.
- Two-year permit participants must have five years of professional employment in the field of their degree.
- Emergency or substitute teaching license for 20 hours of teaching.
- Passing scores on the Praxis I and II as required for teacher licensure in Wisconsin
Only the following waivers of these requirements will be considered in response to your written request for a waiver.
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 may be appealed if you have a GPA of 2.75 or greater in your major, graduate work showing a higher GPA or other more recent evidence of likely success in the program.
- Two year experience requirement may be appealed if your degree was awarded after you spent at least two years on-the-job in your field of study.
- The emergency or substitute license requirement may be appealed if you have worked or are working as an aide and hold the appropriate DPI license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fees (Subject to Change without Notice)
Trimester 1 - $1,850 -- Trimester 2 - $1,850- Payment plan: $500 deposit (refundable if you do not attend any class sessions) and eight monthly payments of $400. Payments by check or Visa or MasterCard are accepted.
- A $50 discount for each trimester is applied if you pay the entire trimester fee in cash before attending the first class of the trimester.
- Graduate credit is available for an additional $360 for six credits in our program (see financial aid information below).
Required Teaching (one semester) $1,300 due before your required teaching begins plus the cost (if any) of local cooperating teacher. Please contact us for details.
Financial Aid
- You must enroll for at least four credits per trimester (one additional one-credit course each trimester) with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Master of Arts in Education program to be eligible for federal financial aid.
- Two programs that offer educational loans are Wells Fargo Bank and the TERI Organization.
Other Financial Assistance
- As a displaced worker you may be eligible for financial assistance from a program in your area.
- Drilling members and retirees from active duty, National Guard, or Reserves may be eligible for financial support through Troops to Teachers. Contact: Steve Campbell, Wisconsin Department of Veteran’s Affairs, 800-947-8387, steve.campbell@dva.state.wi.us
To apply:
Send the following items to: Project: Teaching! P.O. Box 129, Ladysmith WI 54848
- Cover letter identifying desired subject area,
- Resume detailing work experience,
- Transcripts (two official transcripts required if you are admitted),
Please send Praxis I & II scores and a copy of substitute or emergency license if available (these are required if you are admitted).