To Prepare Competent, Confident, and Caring Professionals

For over 100 years, Black Hills State University has demonstrated a strong commitment to educational excellence through faculty dedication and student achievement. Quality begins in the classroom with outstanding faculty delivering an up-to-date, standards-based curriculum designed for personal and professional development. Technology is integrated into all education coursework to facilitate the growth of students' technology skills and their ability to integrate the same into their P-12 classrooms.

The faculty at BHSU are committed to preparing professionals for the 21st century who will be caring, competent, and confident teachers. Toward that end, faculty members seek to develop future teachers who are caring by modeling such care and concern on a daily basis. Faculty members treat each student with respect and dignity. They value diversity and honor all students' ideas, beliefs, and individual differences. Faculty members also strive to prepare competent future teachers who can create P-12 classrooms that embody active and reflective learning. These competent teachers are capable of using multiple instructional strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of P-12 students. In addition, each and every member of the School of Education works to develop confident future teachers who will persevere through the daily challenges of teaching P-12 students.

Diversity

Providing diverse experiences for graduate and undergraduate candidates in the School of Education is a priority. Experiences include working with diverse faculty, diverse candidates, and diverse students in P-12 schools.

Students are encouraged to participate in study abroad programs. Current student teaching opportunities include teaching in Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and South America. Interested students need to enroll in ED 492 International Student Teaching.

Organizational Membership

• SDACTE - South Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
  
• AACTE - American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
• CAEP - Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
• The Renaissance Group
  http://www.renaissancegroup.org/
• TECSCU - Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities

School of Education Centers & Research

• Center for Advancement of Math & Science Education (CAMSE)
  The mission of the Center for the Advancement of Mathematics and Science Education (CAMSE) is to promote effective and meaningful teaching and learning of science and mathematics at all levels. Areas of emphasis include the preparation of future teachers; support of teachers already in the field through professional development in math and science content and innovative teaching strategies; and research on the teaching and learning of math and science.

"Thank you for giving Cara this opportunity to complete her program at Sagebrush (Wyoming). The teacher and principal are already talking to her about position openings for next year. The school staff have also already commented to her and to me about how much more well-prepared she is than other student teachers from other universities. It is truly evident in your students’ professionalism, competence, and care that your program is exceptional. Thank you for all your great work!"