School
of Education faculty members DeDe Small and Jill Johnson and Michelle
Krogulski, the off-campus reading coordinator, are hitting the road this month
in an effort to get the word out about expanded options for obtaining a Reading Endorsement for K -8 or 5-12 educators. Several informational meetings
are scheduled around the state this month. “We are personally traveling to these
sessions so that people can meet some of the professors in the department and who
have developed some of the coursework.,” says Professor Small. Drake offers
reading endorsements at the elementary and secondary level, as well as a
professional strand option. In the past, the courses have been taught primarily
on campus but recently options have expanded to enable students to meet more of
the requirements online and through the ICN system set up around the state. “We
know school districts are expecting teachers to have reading endorsements and
teachers really want this endorsement so we are holding several sessions this
month to help get the word out about the increased accessibility of the
courses,” Small explains.
The Reading Endorsement is available as a stand alone endorsement at both the
elementary and secondary levels. It is also available and easily combined
with course work in the Master of Science in Education in Teacher
Effectiveness and Professional Development degree. The Reading Professional
strand, a further specialization in reading, is also available to Master of
Science in Education students in the TEPD program for graduate students who
already hold a reading endorsement.
Information sessions are being held this month in Bettendorf, Burlington,
Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids, Johnston, and Urbandale. For specific dates and
details please go to this URL: https://wwww.drake.edu/soe/programs/endorsements/reading_endorsements.php