BA in English High School Education

Undergraduate

The major, “English–High School Teaching,” is one of two 36 hour-free standing majors offered by the UNCG English Department. The other is “English.” Both lead to the B.A. degree; however, the English-Education program leads to a degreeplus a license issued by the State of North Carolina to teach English in Grades 9-12 in the State of North Carolina and other states which honor the certificate.

The English Education program is jointly supervised by the English Department and the Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education in the School of Education. Heading the program in the Department of English is Director of English Education, Jeanie Reynolds (3311). Coordinating the program in Curriculum and Instruction is Amy Vetter. The Academic Advisors are all full-time members of the English Department, and departmental policies for English Education are set by an English Education Committee.

Like all other teacher education programs at UNCG, the English Education program is overseen by the Collaborative for Educator Preparation of the University, which is concerned with all university policies relating to teacher education. The English Education program is regularly reviewed by the State Department of Public Instruction, by the National Council of Teachers of English, and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Admissions

By declaring and earning a BA in English with high school teaching, you are fulfilling two separate but related sets of requirements – those set by the university to complete your degree and those set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for your licensure. Some of these state requirements are fulfilled through coursework, while others are fulfilled by qualifying national test scores, a minimum GPA of 2.75, the technology portfolio, and acceptance into the Teachers Academy

Suggested Sequence of Courses: .

Admission to the program is in three stages:

Admission to the Teachers Academy: In the semester in which you expect to complete 60 hours of work toward the degree (usually the last semester of your sophomore year), you should apply for admission to the Teachers Academy with the Director of English Education (3106 MHRA. The requirements are: (1) an overall grade point average of 2.75; (2) a 2.75 grade point average in English courses above the 100 level; (3) successful completion of at least 12 semester hours at UNCG; (4) recommendation of the English department; and (5) achievement of a satisfactory score as set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on the Praxis I Exam (PPST) or a score of 1100 or better on the SAT.
Admission to Student Teaching (CUI 465, twelve hours): Apply for student teaching the year before you expect to graduate. The application period is from the first day of classes in January through February 15. The requirements are: (1) admission to the Teachers Academy, (2) proof that the major and education course requirements will be successfully completed in the semester before student teaching, (3) a consistent grade point average of 2.75 or higher after being admitted to the Teachers Academy, and (4) recommendation of the English Department. Except in unusual circumstances, students may not take additional courses during the student teaching semester.
To apply for your license, you need to successfully complete the following: the BA in English with high school teaching degree with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher, your student teaching internship, the Praxis II professional knowledge and pedagogy examination in two parts, and the state mandated technology requirements.

If you are interested in applying to UNCG, please see Undergraduate Admissions.

Student Teaching

The Student Teaching Semester:

Due to the intensity of this semester TED 465 Student Teaching is the only course you may take. It is considered a full load.

You will be admitted to the last phase of the program when you’ve completed all prerequisites. The semester before you student teach, you will complete a Piedmont Alliance form indicating areas of interest and preferences, and you will then be assigned to an area high school and a cooperating teacher. These assignments are made by the School of Education in cooperation with the administrative staffs of local school systems. After you have been assigned, you will contact your cooperating teacher, and the two of you will make plans for your work in the classroom, including when and how you will assume responsibility. Part of your work in the school involves observing, reflecting, working with individuals and small groups, as well as teaching whole classes. The UNCG Teacher Education Handbook explains in detail how cooperation should work.

Several times during your student teaching period, a supervisor from the English Department or from the School of Education will visit your school. The supervisor can help you with developing ideas, suggesting methods, and answering questions. The supervisor will visit your classroom to get a sense of your development as a teacher. At the end of the semester, you, your cooperating teacher, and the supervisor will meet for final discussion and evaluation of your work. Toward the end of your student teaching, you will meet with the Director of English Education or one of the members of the English Education Committee for your program exit interview.

Additional Resources:

A Guide for English Education Courses by Semester