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Faculty
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Susan M. Meyers
Director
Multiple Subject Credential Program
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Biography
I have been involved in our teacher credential programs since 1986, first as a Supervisor of Teacher Education whose primary responsibilities included guidance and assistance to our intern teacher candidates in their public school-based intern teaching assignments and the teaching of seminars and courses. My next roles were as Coordinator of the Intern Teacher Program, Coordinator of the Single Subject Student Teacher Program and Coordinator of the Multiple Subject Teacher Program. During those years, I had responsibility for overseeing teacher candidates throughout their program from admission until completion of student/intern teaching assignments. I also taught foundations courses and seminars.
In 2001, I assumed the position of Director of the Multiple Subjects Teacher Credential Program. Since then, I have been responsible for program admission, design, curriculum, and evaluation as well as for the faculty who teach in the program. I work closely with the Director of the Single Subject Teacher Credential Program to assure that all of our teacher candidates engage in a sound, coherent teacher preparation program that effectively prepares them for the challenges and rewards of teaching in our Kindergarten-Grade 12 elementary and secondary schools. I also collaborate with our Program Coordinators and other faculty who have day-to-day responsibility for counseling and instructing our teacher candidates. Each year, we prepare approximately 100 new multiple subjects teachers.
I am also responsible for compliance of our program with State of California educational code and the California Commission of Teacher Credentialing (CTCC) "Standards for Quality and Effectiveness of Teacher Preparation Programs." This includes the accreditation review of our program that occurs on a regular basis. In addition, I collaborate with the Deans and Directors of the departments and schools of education on the other 8 University of California campuses. As a group, we strive to have a positive impact on national, state and regional policy related to education in general and to teacher preparation specifically. I also interact with my colleagues at the Orange County Department of Education and with my counterparts at the other public and private universities in Orange County that prepare teachers. Finally, I collaborate closely with public school districts, their administrators and teachers to identify the best possible public school placements for our student teachers.
I am committed to providing the best teacher preparation program possible for our candidates who come to us with strong academic backgrounds, a wealth of experience in working with children and a passion for learning and teaching. I work with all our faculty and staff to provide a program that includes the following emphases: sound theory and research translated into effective practice to meet the needs of all students; sound planning for effective performance; and critical analysis and problem solving.
My career as an educator continues to be a challenging, exciting, rewarding and worthwhile endeavor, even after 30 years in the profession. I encourage all who may be interested in teaching to pursue a career in education.
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