Education Department undergoes re-organization

The Education Department at Winston-Salem State has re-organized and added new sequences.

"The changes are meant to reposition the entire teacher preparation programs at WSSU," said Madu Ireh, assistant professor of education and human performance.

"It is a welcomed reorganization and meant to improve instruction, learning, and services to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels."

Cynthia Williams-Brown, chair and associate professor of secondary education, said the Education Department offers math, English and physical education sequences, and is working on developing a sequence in science.

The sequences will focus on teacher education at the high school and middle school levels. Physical education is taught in grade schools.

Williams-Brown said that the re-organization took a lot of planning.

Faculty were transferred from different departments, including math, science, and physical education, into the Education Department.

"We [Education Department] are having a majors meeting to explain the makeup of the new department and how they will have to do business now," Williams-Brown said.

Edwin Bell said that he is optimistic about what the department will be able to accomplish, and that the students he has talked to seem pleased that they are getting more attention.

Bell is the professor and interim chair of educational leadership, counseling and professional studies.

"I feel pretty good about the new additions," Bell said.

"We could have done a better job planning the reorganization, but the new organizational structure provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen teacher education and rehabilitation counseling at WSSU."

Students are required to apply to the department after their sophomore year, and after they complete their general education requirements. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5, pass the Praxis I [teacher certification exam], pass a written essay and personal interview. They must also submit a recommendation from a professor.

Ireh said that the decision was made by higher authorities, with some consultation with faculty and staff in the two existing departments.

Williams-Brown said that each sequence has a coordinator who is responsible for monitoring the curriculum and ensuring that the sequences are updated.

The coordinators are Cedric Bass for English, Pamela Moses-Snipes for math, Donna Spinks for physical education, and Sandra Ingram for science.