[059] MTSU OFFERS NEW MASTER’S PROGRAM FOR AREA K-8 TEACHERS

MTSU OFFERS NEW MASTER’S PROGRAM FOR AREA K-8 TEACHERS
Literacy ‘Cohort’ Study Begins Aug. 29 in Shelbyville

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2009
EDITORIAL CONTACTS: David Foster, 615-898-5033; Dr. Kathy Burriss, 615-898-2323

(MURFREESBORO)—Middle Tennessee State University is pleased to announce a new cohort program in Bedford County leading to a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction with an endorsement in reading.
The program aims to help licensed classroom teachers in kindergarten through eighth grades in Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, Rutherford and White counties to gain additional specialized skills that are directly related to literacy. It begins Saturday, Aug. 29, and will be completed in spring 2010.
“This program provides qualified K-8 teachers with additional competencies directly related to the classroom and their students,” said Dr. Kathleen Burriss, professor of elementary and special education at MTSU, who’ll be the course instructor.
A cohort is a program of study in which the participants start together and continue throughout the program as a group. This cohort will meet initially in Shelbyville at the Central High School building (401 Eagle Blvd.) until the Middle Tennessee Education Center is remodeled.
“In Tennessee, literacy has been a weak area,” Burriss said. “Students must be able to read well to be successful—it is a basic foundation of education. Any K-8 teacher would do well to consider this program to help them become a better qualified instructor.”
Teachers who complete the program also may be eligible for increased compensation.
“This program is unique in that it meets on weekends, online, and traditionally,” said Dr. Connie Jones, chair of the Department of Elementary and Special Education at MTSU. “This program will enable these teachers to be more effective in working with at-risk children and diverse populations with unique needs.”
The registration meeting will be held on Friday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m. at Central High School in Shelbyville. Interested teachers should each bring a copy of his/her teaching license, and an official transcript of all prior education must be sent to the Graduate School at MTSU. Representatives will be available to aid in the registration process. Prospective students who may need financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form at www.fafsa.ed.gov before the registration meeting.
For more information about the program, contact Burriss at 615-898-2323 or kburriss@mtsu.edu.

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IN BRIEF: Middle Tennessee State University is pleased to announce a new cohort program in Bedford County leading to a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction with an endorsement in reading. The program aims to help licensed classroom teachers in kindergarten through eighth grades in Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, Rutherford and White counties to gain additional specialized skills that are directly related to literacy. It begins Saturday, Aug. 29, and will be completed in spring 2010. “This program provides qualified K-8 teachers with additional competencies directly related to the classroom and their students,” said Dr. Kathleen Burriss, professor of elementary and special education at MTSU, who’ll be the course instructor. A cohort is a program of study in which the participants start together and continue throughout the program as a group. A registration meeting is set this Friday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m. at Central High School in Shelbyville. For more information about the program, contact Burriss at 615-898-2323 or kburriss@mtsu.edu.

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