Diversity
Southern Nazarene University’s School of Education is committed to preparing effective educators to meet learners’ educational needs in all areas of diversity. Throughout coursework, field experiences and clinical practice in the SNU Educator Preparation Program, educator candidates are exposed to different ethnicities, cultures, socio-economic classes, religious and social preferences, language differences and urban/suburban/rural school settings.
Embedded throughout the program, educator candidates are familiarized with issues regarding fairness in educational settings by meeting the needs of ALL students in a caring, non-discriminatory, and equitable manner. Through these experiences, educator candidates learn effective practices as they reflect and adjust teaching strategies for diverse learners. As society becomes more diverse, educator candidates in the SNU Educator Preparation Program are equipped to meet the educational challenges and needs in facilitating effective student learning in diverse educational settings and environments. Educator candidates are prepared throughout the program to be effective in planning for and adapting instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners in their classrooms, thereby positively impacting P-12 student learning for ALL learners in their classrooms and thus perpetuating the Educator Preparation Program motto; “Commitment to the belief that ALL students can learn.” At every foundational step, and in each of the InTASC Standards (the pillars) of our Conceptual Framework for SNU's Educator Preparation Program, diversity aspects are emphasized to assure that all educator candidates are prepared to build a culture of inclusivity in their future classrooms, thereby positively impacting P-12 student learning for ALL learners.