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College of Education Conceptual Framework
DEVELOPING EXCELLENT PROFESSIONALS
Executive Summary of the Conceptual Framework
for
Education of Professional
Educators at UNC Charlotte
What are the characteristics of excellent professionals
who graduate from UNC Charlotte?
| 1. |
Knowledgeable |
| |
• |
demonstrate highly advanced knowledge of human development and
of student
needs |
| |
• |
demonstrate highly advanced knowledge of curriculum and content |
| |
• |
demonstrate highly advanced knowledge of expectations within a
variety of educational environments for P-12 children/ youth/ young
adults and their families, as well as state standards for P12 learners,
instructional contexts,
social contexts, and societal goals |
| |
• |
make links among theory, research and practice as well as between
content
and pedagogy |
| |
• |
apply their knowledge to planning, goal-setting, implementation,
and
continuous assessment |
| |
• |
demonstrate knowledge, high regard and adherence to the ethical
standards
of their field |
| |
• |
expand their professional knowledge through the use of technological
resources |
| |
|
|
| 2. |
Effective |
| |
• |
use justifiable, appropriate strategies well grounded in research
and
the wisdom of practice within their respective disciplines |
| |
• |
use data to make professional decisions |
| |
• |
have a positive impact on P-12 student learning |
| |
|
|
| 3. |
Reflective |
| |
• |
demonstrate excellence in their reflective educational decision-making |
| |
• |
demonstrate reflective self evaluation skills |
| |
• |
demonstrate flexibility and adaptability |
| |
• |
engage in continuous improvement of professional practice |
| |
|
|
| 4. |
Responsive to Equity/ Diversity |
| |
• |
apply their knowledge and skills to foster educational environments
that
are respectful of diverse backgrounds and cultures |
| |
• |
promote positive, supportive educational environments that are
respectful
of and responsive to individual differences |
| |
• |
provide developmentally appropriate, age appropriate, individually
appropriate,
and culturally responsive instruction |
| |
• |
practice inclusive professional practices that respond effectively
to
the educational needs of all children/youth/young adults |
| |
• |
hold high expectations for all children/youth/young adults and
provide
high levels of support for high achievement |
| |
• |
recognize that equity and social justice are enhanced through education |
| |
|
|
| 5. |
Collaborative |
| |
• |
value the collective contribution of others in their efforts to
provide
excellent programs and services |
| |
• |
demonstrate effective communication, decision making, problem solving
and interactive teaming skills . |
| |
• |
work in partnership with families, communities, and colleagues
for the
benefit of children/ youth/ young adults |
| |
|
|
| 6. |
Leaders |
| |
• |
demonstrate leadership in the improvement of professional practice
at
a variety of levels |
| |
• |
communicate effectively their professional knowledge to others |
| |
• |
engage in policy decisions that have positive impacts on P-12 children/
youth/ young adults |
The Knowledge Bases of Professional Education Programs
at UNC Charlotte
Excellent professionals possess a comprehensive knowledge base that
is comprised of conceptual knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and reflective
knowledge. Conceptual knowledge relates to the individual’s broad
knowledge base as well as a more specialized knowledge base in their
content field and knowledge of how human beings learn and develop. Pedagogical
knowledge entails the understanding of methods of effective teaching:
knowledge of how to teach subject matter and knowledge of how to teach
the subject matter to specific learners, with attention to individual
differences. Reflective knowledge enables cogent evaluation of teaching
practice, including self-appraisal. Excellent professionals understand
how to blend these types of knowledge in actuating teaching and learning
in positive ways. Excellent professionals make connections between the
knowledge base and the uses of this knowledge. Four particular uses of
knowledge are emphasized within professional education programs at UNC
Charlotte:
• |
Excellent professionals use knowledge to provide effective
instruction in order to have a positive impact on P-12 student learning |
• |
Excellent professionals use knowledge to respond to the needs of
P-12 learners and to provide developmentally appropriate, age appropriate,
individually appropriate, and culturally responsive instruction |
• |
Excellent professionals use knowledge to collaborate with families,
communities, and colleagues to benefit children, youth, and young
adults |
• |
Excellent professionals use knowledge to provide effective leadership
for the improvement of professional practice at a variety levels
for the benefit of children, youth, and young adults. |
In summary, UNC Charlotte develops excellent professionals
who are knowledgeable, effective, reflective, responsive to equity and
diversity, collaborative, and who are leaders in their profession.
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