SALISBURY — The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has reaffirmed accreditation for Livingstone College’s School of Education, Psychology and Social Work at the initial teacher preparation level until 2019.
The affirmation was recently announced by the Unit Accreditation Board of NCATE, the governing body that accredits teacher certification programs at U.S. colleges and universities.
Livingstone’s NCATE efforts were led by Dr. Alexander Erwin, dean of the division of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Dr. Lelia Vickers, vice president of academic affairs, Cynthia Corlett, chairperson of the Teacher Education Council, Dr. Carolyn W. Duncan, president of the Faculty Assembly and Quality Enhancement Program coordinator, Dr. Kelli Randall, dean of the division of Liberal Arts, Dr. Gary L. Callahan, dean of The Holistic College, Suzette Davis, an associate professor of education and director of student teaching, Dr. Lewis Dowdy, an associate professor of education, and Dr. Charmion Rush, an assistant professor of education.
Livingstone College was founded in 1879 by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and has about 1,100 students. Education has historically been among the most popular majors at the institution.
Consistent with the mission and the conceptual framework, the unit has demonstrated a strong commitment to prepare candidates with the dispositions necessary to be successful teachers,” NCATE officials said in their praise of Livingstone’s Teacher Education Program. “The theme ‘serve, lead and teach’ is reflected throughout the program. Candidates work with students, families, colleagues and communities in a variety of ways. Each semester all candidates are involved in volunteer work in the community. Assessment of dispositions begins during the admission to the teacher education program and continues throughout the program. The field experiences connected to the pedagogy and skills classes and the clinical practice focus on the assessment and development of behaviors that create caring and supportive teachers.”
Alexis Jennings, who graduated with honors from Livingstone’s Teacher Education Program in 2009, is a fifth-grade teacher at Isenberg Elementary School in Salisbury, and was named the 2013-14 Teacher of the Year. Kathy Sease, who graduated with honors from Livingstone’s program in 2007, is a teacher in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools System. And Yannanda Mieses, a 2006 honors graduate from Livingstone’s program, has a master’s in general education from Montreat College and teaches third grade at Winter Fields Elementary School in Charlotte.
Vickers, who serves as chairwoman for visits to various colleges and universities for NCATE, is ecstatic over Livingstone’s accreditation and the favorable comments bestowed upon the College’s Teacher Education Program.
She said Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins Sr. was very supportive of the College’s efforts to successfully work through the accreditation process and is committed to ensuring Livingstone continues to prepare and graduate highly qualified teachers.
Accreditation involves peer review of programs to ensure they are meeting standards prescribed by the profession,” Vickers said. “Livingstone College believes in and supports accreditation of its programs to ensure our students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of preparing students for the 21st Century. Thus, the successful completion of the review and reaffirmation of accreditation by NCATE continues the tradition of excellence in teacher education here at Livingstone College. ”
Founded in 1954, NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges and departments of education. NCATE and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) have consolidated and are now transitioning into the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, or CAEP.