In keeping with the overall mission of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the College of Education, and the Graduate School; the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership is committed to preservice and advanced programs as well as University and community service.  Generally, the role of the department is to support the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Health and Physical Education in the preparation of teachers by providing their students with educational foundations, leadership courses, and a variety of laboratory experiences at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  The department offers two graduate level programs.  A masters level program in Educational Administration and Supervision, and one in Guidance and Counseling.  Beyond roles previously mentioned, the department embraces the responsibility of University and community service as they relate to our resources.

 

In the process, we are committed at the undergraduate and graduate levels to examining, transmitting, preserving, extending and challenging intellectual traditions.  In the context of our teaching model, "The Teacher as Decision Maker," our teaching is designed to stimulate, nurture, challenge, and develop knowledge, skills, creativity, and values which are promulgated by sound general, specialty and professional education.  Such commitments promote social mobility, integration, internal and external freedom and equality for our products.

 

Finally, our security, pride, and satisfaction rest on the successful developments of our students--their sense of academic, social, and physical competence as well as identity, purpose, autonomy, integrity, calm, and genuine acceptance of others.  We feel assured that with the training and experience we give our students, they are prepared to serve not only Acadiana, Louisiana, and America, but also the world.

 

We are implementing our mission in the following ways:

 

• Helping students to determine if teaching should be their career path by introducing them to the intricacies of teaching and encouraging self-evaluation Providing a descriptive study of education, both nationally and globally, from a historical, philosophical, and operational point of view Promoting school-community relations by providing meaningful field experiences that are beneficial to prospective teachers and studentsInstructing students in organizational and administrative theories, training, and principles that apply to educational institutions

• Providing guidance and counseling theories, principles, and training opportunities as applicable to the needs of schools

 

The success of the department is demonstrated by the high quality of its students.  Our graduates score above the state average on the administrative section of the National Teacher Exam.