Conceptual Framework

The mission of the Esteves School of Education is to prepare highly effective educators, school counselors, and school leaders who believe in full inclusion, who value diversity, who are reflective, and who are knowledgeable about best practices. Therefore, we ask Sage educators, counselors, and leaders to consider two essential questions throughout their studies and field experiences: Who am I in the lives of those with whom I work? Who am I in the life of my educational community? We expect all Sage candidates to demonstrate leadership and create optimal educational outcomes for all learners.

Our motto, “To Be, To Know, To Do”, informs the educational purpose of Russell Sage College, where the common effort is to translate learning into action and application, within a framework that recognizes the obligation of educated persons to lead and serve their communities. In the Esteves School of Education, this motto is extended to form the basis for our programs.

We expect Sage candidates:

To Be well-grounded in knowledge about schools/communities, learners and learning, the Sage candidates will:

Understand self in relation to learners, their families, and the local and global community – particularly in terms of power, privilege and knowledge with regard to culture, class, language, ability and gender;
Use interpersonal skills and demonstrate collaborative attitudes which result in successful partnerships with colleagues, families, and other community members;
Improve society by modeling and using democratic practices in their settings;
Demonstrate a commitment to substantive self-reflection, consideration of quantifiable and qualitative data, on-going learning and professional development;

To Know curricular content and models of instruction, including technology and its application, the Sage candidates will:

Demonstrate an ability to respond to the strengths and needs of all learners, using assessment data to inform instructional decisions;
Use knowledge in their designated fields to inspire learners to grow and to meet high standards;
Employ/promote pedagogical/counseling/leadership practices that engage learners in active ways;
Demonstrate knowledge in their content areas ensuring maximum achievement for all learners.

To Do what is necessary to ensure the success of all learners–and to collaborate with families/community members in respectful, culturally responsive ways, the Sage candidate will:

Engage in reflective practices;
Demonstrate a positive, respectful view of learners, their families, communities, and colleagues; listen deeply to the experiences and perspectives of all those within the community to ensure a healthy and safe learning environment;
Model ethical behavior and active citizenship; promote the success of all learners through advocacy, action, and the development of leadership throughout the community;
Build trust and garner support for a vision of inclusive schools that value diversity.

The underlying structure in a professional education unit that gives conceptual meanings through an articulated rationale to the unit’s operation, and provides direction for programs, courses, teaching, candidate performance, faculty scholarship and service, and unit accountability.

T-BIRDS, the key concepts of the conceptual framework of the Esteves School of Education:

Technology: a vehicle for learners to acquire information, practice skills, use higher order thinking skills, and participate in collaborative projects.
Best Practices: the pedagogical knowledge, skills, and practices that have been shown through research and evaluation to be effective and/or efficient and that candidates use to teach all learners.
Inclusion and Diversity: the ability to collaborate and team with other professionals in developing and implementing strategies to accommodate diverse learners; the ability to develop solutions that will enhance the learning experiences of all children; and, the ability of candidates to be aware of and sensitive to diversity issues and to use culturally and socially responsible pedagogy.
Reflection: the ability to reflect and assess one’s own effectiveness, and to systematically make adjustments to improve and strengthen areas needing attention.
Dispositions: the demonstration of respect for learner differences, commitment to own personal growth, and engagement in short and long-term planning.
Service Learning: the strategies that integrate meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich children’s learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

These elements are interrelated and integrated to prepare teacher candidates to assume roles as reflective facilitators of learning, combining knowledge and skills to exemplify those qualities and dispositions that characterize effective teachers.