Full accreditation from the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) with no recommendation for improvement, national recognition from the Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI), and an alumna recently named the 2010 Louisiana Elementary Teacher of the Year. Quite a track record for one of Louisiana Tech’s strongest and most accomplished education programs. “The program’s reputation continues to grow through outstanding alumni teaching throughout the state, thus sustaining and increasing our elementary school partnerships, said Dr. Amy Vessel, associate professor and chair of the Elementary 1-5 program.  “We must recognize the clinical faculty beyond the walls of our university campus that supervise and mentor our teacher candidates throughout the school year.” As many higher education programs around the state have been designated for consolidation or termination, the Elementary Grades 1-5 program in Louisiana Tech’s College of Education continues to thrive, focusing on the future of elementary education and producing some of Louisiana’s most respected and influential educational leaders. “My experiences as a student in the College of Education have greatly contributed to my love for Louisiana Tech,” said Jenny Blalock, 2010 Louisiana Elementary Teacher of the Year and elementary education program alumna.  “The relationships I have formed with my professors have given me encouragement to set professional goals I would not have strived for without their support.” The College of Education recently received full continuing accreditation from NCATE, recognizing Louisiana Tech’s stellar teacher preparation programs. Tech’s College of Education is among the nation’s longest continuously accredited teacher education programs. In addition to being an integral part of the College’s continuing accreditation recognition, the elementary 1-5 program was recognized for education excellence in 2010 by ACEI. According to Dr. Pauline Leonard, chair of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership, “It’s highly gratifying to know that our education programs are meeting such high standards and being recognized on a national level as programs of excellence.” Louisiana Tech’s recent success in addressing the rigorous standards set forth in the Louisiana State Department of Education Reading Competencies is reflected in the elementary program. The program offers a concentrated sequence of methodology coursework followed by practica (extended clinical experiences) in reading/ELA, mathematics, and science/social studies prior to the completion of student teaching. “Our goal is that teacher candidates in our program will observe, assist, and teach in every grade level to which they will be certified in a variety of diverse placements in area schools,” Vessel said.  “Our faculty work together to make constant improvements ensuring the quality of our program, so that our graduates can meet the needs of Louisiana’s elementary school students for many years to come.”