Department of Education

Melinda Campbell, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Education, Health and Human Sciences
Heather Bower, PhD., Head, Department of Education
Courtney George, Ph.D., Director, Graduate Programs in Education

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Education is to prepare reflective practitioners who have the 21st century knowledge, skills and values to effectively teach all students. Graduates of the Department of Education, whom we term Meredith teachers, believe that reflection is essential to improving the quality of their teaching. They are able to examine the dilemmas of classroom practice within the cultural contexts in which they teach. They are able to question the assumptions they bring to teaching and strive to understand how their actions impact their students. Meredith teachers are able to engage in reflection not only within their own classrooms but also within a community of professionals who have the common goal of improving student learning.

Graduate Programs in Education

The Master of Education degree program is for the K–12 teacher who has a baccalaureate degree and a teaching license. The areas offered, which lead to a North Carolina M-level license, include: elementary education, English as a second language, literacy, special education (general curriculum) and academically and intellectually gifted education. Add-on licensure options include reading (K– 12), ESL (K–12), special education (general curriculum) (K- 12), academically/intellectually gifted (K-12) and curriculum instructional specialist.

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program is designed for the individual who has a baccalaureate degree and is seeking an initial teaching license. The four licensure areas offered, which lead to a North Carolina M-level license, are elementary education, special education (general curriculum), ESL, and Health and Physical Education. A graduate catalogue, which provides complete information about the program, can be obtained online from the John E. Weems Graduate School website.

Department of Education Vision Statement

Students in schools need and deserve educators who teach, learn, and lead the way toward equitable schools and a just society. As teacher educators, we see the impact of racist and discriminatory policies, laws, and beliefs. We are responsible for confronting racism, bias, and privilege, including our own. We commit to change in ourselves and will advocate for change in schools. We must engage in on-going, critical conversations and listen to and learn from voices in marginalized communities to fight systemic racism and injustice in all its forms.

Therefore, a Meredith Teacher is prepared to work continuously toward...

• Learning and evaluating histories that have created inequitable policies and practices in schools and society.
• Critically examining their own identities, advantages, and biases. 
• Developing an asset-based mindset to interrogate and change educational practices and systems that blame students, families, and communities. 
• Building connections with students and their communities to center instruction on students’ lived experience.
• Designing and implementing instruction that is challenging, connected to content knowledge, and ensures all students learn and thrive academically.
• Listening to, reflecting on, and acting in response to feedback from colleagues, students, and communities.
• Courageously leading and advocating for justice in the school, community, and profession.