Statement of Philosophy and Purpose
The faculty of Thelma P. Lally School of Education at the College of Saint Rose is committed to providing high quality, relevant and distinctive educational programs. Our philosophy evolves from a strong belief in the profound influence and possibilities of education, educators and leaders to guide and promote the intellectual and human development of people in a diverse, global society.
The educational dynamic of our teaching and learning community fosters insight, meaning, skills, policy formation and strategies necessary to continuously improve the quality of the individual and collective lives affected by our practice. Ethics, freedom of inquiry and expression, and the exchange of ideas inform our practice. Integrity, character and a commitment to modeling what we teach are imperatives of our educational endeavors. The development of theoretical frameworks, critical analysis and fidelity to the application of effective, research-based practices combine to characterize the scholarship and enlightenment to which we aspire. Instructional technologies support and shape our teaching and learning. Partnerships with practicing professionals in the field, service, clinical experiences, and a culture of assessment offer extensive opportunities for personal and professional growth, and rich sources for evaluating our effectiveness.
Valuing the knowledge and culturally rich experiences of individuals in the educational process, our faculty strives to be responsible to candidate needs and interests and challenges them to broaden their awareness and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, thereby becoming reflective, responsive, self-empowered advocates for their learners and communities. Leadership is at the heart of our efforts to encourage and create new initiatives through which our faculty and our candidates become mutually responsible agents of change. To ensure the actualization of our philosophy, we model its standards and values in our daily practices and relationships. This philosophy generates educational experiences that are formative and indelible.