MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii at Hilo Education Department launches a new online graduate degree program beginning in fall 2009.  DL-STEPS: Distance Learning-Secondary Teacher Education Program for Success, is a certification program for secondary education (grades 7-12), which leads to licensure in the state.

DL-STEPS is designed for post baccalaureate students who wish to attend class online while they work full- or part-time.  Students will go through five steps to complete the program, including advisement, pre-course work, application to the program, pedagogy courses and field work.     

“The Education Department is very pleased to offer this program to working students,” said Dr. Jeannine Hirtle, associate professor, and education department faculty lead for the DL-STEPS project.  “DL-STEPS is ideal for anyone with a bachelors degree interested in teaching opportunities, considering a career change or who are school paraprofessionals and educational assistants.

“The Web-based program provides pre-service teachers with high-quality, integrated, inquiry- and field-based course work that will prepare them to meet  the challenges of teaching in a culturally rich, technologically-changing society,” she added. “Participants will develop several critical skills such as how to engage students in appropriate experiences that support their development as independent learners, creating and maintaining a safe and positive learning environment, fostering effective communication in the learning environment, and developing parent and school community relationships.”

Secondary licensure is available in a wide range of content areas, including Agriculture, Art, Computer Education, English, Hawaiian, Japanese, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies (including Hawaiian Studies), and Spanish.  Supplemental requirements for licensure in Social Studies may be required.       

For more information, contact Education Department Advisor Terry Reveira at 974-7748 or email treveira@hawaii.edu, Distance Learning Coordinator Dr. Candace Wheeler at 443-8946, or visit www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/dl/EDsteps.php.