School of Education Licensure Programs Receive Stellar Review from PELSB
The School of Education underwent its six-year unit review by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) last week. The three-day virtual site visit began on Oct. 4 and was well attended by faculty and staff from all teacher education and licensure programs. The review culminated in the Oct. 6 notification that Saint Mary’s has been granted “full continuous approval” through 2027.
PELSB reviewers expressed particular appreciation for what they considered “exemplary organization and transparency” of our self-study report. They also noted our clear and comprehensive commitment to the Lasallian conceptual framework that serves as a foundation for our uniquely effective approach to building relationships among students, cooperating teachers, and school partners. Their comprehensive feedback is an immediate validation and commendation of the commitment and hard work of School of Education students, faculty and staff.
It is worth noting that Saint Mary’s was the first teacher preparation program in Minnesota to undergo unit review since PELSB adopted new administrative rules in April 2021. Along with School of Education students, administrators, faculty and staff, the review team interviewed Father Burns, Provost and VPAA Brian Schmisek, VP for Inclusion and Human Dignity Leon Dixon, Dean Susan Cosby-Ronnenberg, Director of IT Abe Hedtke, Director of Library Services Laura Oanes, Director of Curriculum and Assessment Nicola Imbracsio, and over 30 School of Education alumni, cooperating teachers, and school partners. The School of Education expresses sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to our successful site visit.
Dean Lovorn would like to recognize and give special thanks to Professor Emeritus Melissa Luedtke and Data and Assessment Analyst Emily Weber for their significant contributions to the unit review. “While this was a true community and team enterprise,” he noted, “Melissa and Emily went over and above, working tirelessly to ensure we were well prepared to tell our story. They were invaluable to the overall effort.”
