Overview of iTeachAZ       

iTeachAZ is the name of the teacher education programs at Arizona State University. The following premises capture several basic goals of a successful teacher preparation program that, in part, define iTeachAZ:

Integrating theory and practice
In the iTeachAZ model, teacher candidates fully integrate coursework, participate in apprenticeship, and learn within a cohort model while co-teaching in a preK-12 classroom at a partner school. Pedagogy courses are taught in district locations to permit attention to the implementation of research-based practices.

Applying a co-teaching model
In iTeach AZ, co-teaching involves a mentor teacher and teacher candidate(s) partnering to plan and deliver academic content in a variety of formats (small group, one-to-one, and whole class). Co-teaching also promotes purposeful observation and assessment of preK-12 students within a variety of classroom settings.

Strengthening preparation in the disciplines (math, science, social studies, English)
Prior to entering the iTeachAZ program, teacher candidates take courses designed to coincide with their needs as teachers and strengthen teacher candidates’ preparation in the disciplinary understandings that they bring to their teaching. This preparation provides important background for their pedagogy courses and, in combination, sets the stage for their successful classroom practices.

Building professional partnerships
Teacher candidates in the iTeachAZ program work closely with ASU faculty, classroom teachers, specialists, and administrators. Collaborative supervision and mentoring are hallmarks of this program, further strengthening the preparedness of iTeachAZ teacher candidates to succeed as teachers.

Emphasizing student achievement
The ability to assess and respond to the needs of preK-12 students and increase student achievement is the ultimate goal of teaching and iTeachAZ.

   MAC Living Wage       

The NEXT Grant offers an $18,000 living wage to teacher candidates who are well-qualified for our Masters program and willing to commit to three years of service in the partner district. The living wage aims to support teacher candidates financially while they complete an intensive year-long residency. Teacher candidates are required to take the state certification test in content prior to accepting the living wage, and are ready to enter the classroom after only one year in residency.

  Specificity       

iTeachAZ offers a variety of programming across the state of Arizona. In our programs in Mesa, Glendale, as well as the Navajo Nation and Apache Nation, we offer programs that lead to a bachelor’s degrees in elementary education/special education with 24 months. In our Gadsden, Sunnyside, and Mesa programs, we offer a program leading to a Bachelor’s in Education with an emphasis in Diversity in Language and Learning. In Murphy, we offer a program leading to a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. In Osborn, we offer a Masters and Certification in Elementary Education. Our newest program will begin in Mesa in Summer 2012. The program will be a Masters in Secondary Education with an emphasis on Math and Science.

  Course Reform       

The NEXT grant provides resources to bring together Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College faculty with partner district faculty to reform the undergraduate coursework. The and to develop formative and summative assessments that are performance-based and measured using the TAP Instructional Rubric. The process took place over a 2-month period and involved more than 60 members of the College and local school district partners.

For more information about these programs, please contact iTeachAZ Director Michelle Rojas.

To learn more about the 18-month accelerated iTeachAZ program, please click on the attachment below.