About the School of Education

  • Message from the Director
  • Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
  • Conceptual Framework
  • WI Educator Standards
  • SOE Directory

Message from the Director

 McAlisterb Dr. Brian McAlister, Ph.D.
  Director, School of Education
  267 Heritage Hall
  715/232-1088
  mcalisterb@uwstout.edu

 


Welcome to the School of Education Website.  

UW-Stout has a long history preparing professionals to serve as leaders in education related fields.  The roots of most of our programs can be traced directly back to 1891 when James Huff Stout introduced manual training and domestic science to the Menomonie Public School system through the Stout Manual Training School.  Today, the university prides itself as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.  As such, the university identifies three polytechnic tenets: career focus, applied learning, and collaboration.

The programs delivered by the School of Education are centered on education and education related careers.  The SOE houses 10 teacher education programs, two pupil services programs, three technical college education programs, seven teaching minors, nine special certification/certificate programs and one administrative program.  

Many of the applied learning experiences such as clinical experiences, student teaching and internships are facilitated through the Office of Field Experiences.  The SOE also houses the Child and Family Study Center serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age.   This exemplary facility doubles as a laboratory school for many of our education programs and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 

While student teaching and internships require collaboration with partnering school districts, many students and faculty are engaged in other collaborative initiatives.   For example, students work on service projects, host competitive events for K-12 students, and engage in curriculum development and other grant projects with faculty, staff and external partners from PK-16 institutions.

Our student-centered focus has won acclaim on many fronts.   The School of Education has recently been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education - one of only two public institutions in Wisconsin to attain this status; the School Psychology program received accreditation by the National Association of School Psychologists; and the School Counseling program by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. 

Evidence of Stout’s polytechnic tenets can be found throughout the School of Education   If you would like to learn more about the School of Education and it’s programs, please contact me or my staff.

Brian K. McAlister, Ph.D.
Director, School of Education

Mission, Vision, Values and Goals

Mission

The mission of the School of Education is:  "The School of Education (SOE) faculty and staff will engage in exemplary teaching, research, and service to ensure that graduates of the School become successful professional educators."

Vision

The vision of the School of Education is: "The School of Education (SOE) faculty and staff have the vision of preparing teachers and other professional educators who are reflective practitioners and engage in evidence-based practice."

Values

Recognition: Partnership Awards

It is the purpose of the School of Education to adhere to and apply the institutional values to accomplishment of the SOE mission, vision, and goals. The values and purposes were developed through a consensus process and apply the institutional values to the preparation of education professionals. The faculty and staff of the School of Education value and are committed to the following:           

A. Excellence in teaching within high-quality, student centered undergraduate and graduate education programs involving active learning and appropriate technology; therefore, we will:
  • Model best practice
  • Build upon a strong content background
  • Foster the understanding of growth and development and of learning processes
  • Actively engage candidates in learning and assessment
  • Challenge each candidate’s thinking
  • Utilize technology to enhance candidate learning
B. Scholarship and Research within applied knowledge and general education; therefore, we will:
  • Conduct scholarly research
  • Mentor candidate research skills
  • Disseminate scholarship and research findings
  • Reward excellence in scholarship and research
  • Participate in professional scholarly organizations
C. Collaborative Relationships with business, industry, education, community and government; therefore, we will:
  • Cultivate educational partnerships
  • Collaborate with industry, business, government, and professional organizations
  • Nurture collegial relationships with cooperating teachers and supervisors
  • Promote consistent, positive communication with internal and external audiences
D. Growth and Development of students, faculty, and staff through active participation in university and professional communities; therefore, we will:
  • Participate in service at the school and university levels
  • Engage in professional development
  • Provide leadership at local, state, national, and international professional communities
  • Support candidate, faculty, and staff with opportunities to engage in professional communities at the local, state, national, and international level
E. Diversity of people, ideas, and experiences; therefore, we will:
  • Value candidate and faculty diversity
  • Model respect for differences
  • Recruit and support a diverse candidate and faculty population
  • Provide candidates with opportunities to learn from diverse populations
F. Active Involvement in shared governance, consensus-building teamwork, open and effective communication, and respectful, ethical behavior; therefore, we will:
  • Model respectful and ethical behavior
  • Provide leadership
  • Promote open and effective communication
  • Collaborate with organizations to improve the quality of education
  • Participate in decision making that drives policy

Conceptual Framework

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WI Educator Standards

The Wisconsin Standards outline characteristics of good educators by identifying the components and defining the qualities of best professional practice. Wisconsin colleges and universities will incorporate the Wisconsin Standards into educator preparation programs and educators will use the standards to guide career-long professional development. - Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction