 Western
Carolina University has been preparing first rate English
teachers practically since the University’s beginning in 1889.
Dr.
Mary Warner, the head of the English Education program,
has a combined twenty-six years of teaching experience on
the high school and college level. According to Dr.
Warner, the goal of the English Education program is to produce
dedicated and passionate English teachers with a strong content
knowledge. Among the assets of the WCU English Education
program are a widely experienced staff, a strong technology
base, and a strong partnership with the surrounding community.
Teaching candidates
get plenty of hands-on experience. Courses are taught
with an empahsis on the School-University Teacher Education
Partnership, SUTEP. SUTEP
focuses on "enhancing K-12 student achievement through the improvement
of teacher preparation, teacher retention and continuing professional
development." This partnership, paired with WCU students'
strong literature preparation, helps prepare students for the
classroom.
Technology
is now a major part of the program. Students post lesson
plans on the Internet, they can contact other students via the
webpage, and by the time of graduation they have an on-line
technology portfolio. The program’s partnership with the
community allows for collaboration on teaching methods with
other WCU teaching programs, the area school systems, and local
writers.
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