School of Education

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An NCATE Accredited Institution

Mimbres Bowl Logo Courtesy of Western New Mexico University Museum,

Eisele Collection of Mimbres Pottery and Artifacts

Dean: Harmon
Professors: Betenbough, Rapp, R.F. Rodriguez
Associate Professors: Galaz, Jordan, Howard, Maguire, A. Rodriguez, Quattromani
Assistant Professor: Gruber, Matteson, Mann, Noack

The purpose of the School of Education at Western New Mexico University is to

"ignite and nurture a spirit of learning for both educator and student.''

"La Chispa''
(Spanish) ;

ó'hoo'aah bóhóneedlí
(Navajo)

"Tsit nah wah she oh nah...yah nit kay ah Tsit nah yah nit kay no nah...Tsit nah washe ah''
(Zuni)

Prospective teachers, counselors, and administrators at Western New Mexico University are provided an opportunity to fulfill this purpose by experiencing a specific knowledge base. All School of Education programs maximize opportunities for student thinking and achievement and facilitate active, participatory decision making.

To the extent that this is a new way of thinking about the purpose of the work in the School of Education, it has implications for possible changes in the curriculum for teacher education, counseling, and educational administration. Therefore, this catalog may not accurately reflect the School of Education program changes that are occurring as the curriculum is restructured. The School of Education seeks feedback for program effectiveness from several sources: clinical faculty, university faculty, current students, employers of graduates, and, most importantly, graduates of the program.

Therefore, in the School of Education, the curriculum must be viewed as a dynamic set of experiences that is subject to change based on the continuous inflow of data, including New Mexico State Department of Education requirements. The School of Education will, when the data so indicate, request approval for curriculum changes during the catalog year. When curriculum changes are approved through the University structure, they will be assimilated into current degree plans with no penalty to students relative to number of hours or time it will take to complete their degree.

The School of Education includes Teacher Education Program, School Administration, and Counseling Program. Classes are offered at the main campus in Silver City and at the Gallup Graduate Studies Center. Service centers include the Child Development Center and the Teacher Learning Center.

The following degrees and certificate are offered by the School of Education:

Certificate in Early Care, Education and Family Support
Associate of Arts in Early Care, Education and Family Support
Bachelor of Arts in Education
Bachelor of Science in Education
Master of Arts in Counseling
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
Master of Arts In Teaching