The first private university's Faculty of Education for teacher training

　Our university's Faculty of Education is the oldest private school for teacher training.
The Faculty of Education established its current two-course structure in 2020.The school curriculum is divided into nine specializations.Here, you can deepen the specialization required for elementary school teachers, and you can also deepen the specialization required for junior high and high school teachers through each specialization.This course allows you to aim to become a teacher in all schools from elementary school to high school.In addition, the developmental education curriculum trains education and childcare professionals who understand the continuity and diversity of children's development of mind and body, connect learning from infancy to childhood and adolescence, and support children's growth. Bringing up.The Faculty of Education at Bunkyo University allows students to learn about various types of education throughout their lives.

　As I teach at our university, I find myself wondering whether the number of students who want to become teachers is really decreasing, looking at the recruitment situation and student motivation in the Faculty of Education.However, as various news and topics such as the environment in which teachers are actually found are being talked about, people are probably thinking, "I really want to be a teacher," rather than "I just don't mind being a teacher." This may be because only students with a strong sense of purpose remain, and many of them come to our university.

Education that fosters student motivation and looks one step ahead

　One of our distinctive educational programs is the ``teacher's assistant'' experience program held in second grade.
Unlike teaching practice, this program does not allow you to teach children/students, but you will get a firsthand experience of the daily life of a teacher while helping out to get an idea of ​​what life is like for the profession you aspire to be as a teacher. There are advantages to being able to do so.

　The reason why we do this in addition to teaching practice is because a teacher's job is not just teaching.Based on this experience, I expanded my image of what kind of teacher I would like to be, including my daily life, and went back to university to learn the knowledge and skills necessary for that purpose. Then, you can face the children with the results.
Previously, this was carried out in the form of extracurricular activities, but in order to back up students' active efforts in a tangible way, we changed this into credits starting last year.

　In addition, many students participate in school volunteer activities.I think this is one of the activities that helps students realize their teaching career.Another characteristic of students in the Faculty of Education is that they have a very high participation rate in extracurricular activities, including club activities.Live at university every day.There are many students who live a campus life that is almost like high school, which is rare these days.Through these activities, students foster new relationships and expand their ties with society together with their peers.This is also a valuable experience for students aiming to become teachers.In order to obtain a teaching license, there are many credits that must be earned according to the licensing law, so I think students are very busy just studying.However, one of the characteristics of our university is that there are many motivated students who try to experience a variety of experiences during their student days.

A tradition of being close to students, watching over them, and nurturing them

　At our university, we assign a homeroom teacher for each major, and these teachers pay close attention to each student and watch over their growth.In addition to this daily routine, there is also a culture of monitoring students.One is the parents' association.Parents and universities work together to support the development of students.The other thing is the power of alumni.When I go to the educational field, I am met with "juniors" who interact with me, sometimes harshly, sometimes kindly.Both interns and new teachers seem to find this very reassuring.Of course, universities also care for these graduates.Believe it or not, a large number of students come to university after graduation simply because they have free time.Based on this culture, we hold the "Bunkyo University Education Forum" every year.This is a place for exchange through important themes in the educational field.Universities provide these opportunities and actively support exchanges between alumni and current students.For both of them, participating in these events allows them to check their own footing and seems to dispel various concerns.

　There is a saying that ``the 100-year plan for a nation lies in education.'' Just as the development of human resources has been considered an important task for a nation to take XNUMX years, nurturing people is not only something that will be immediately useful. , it's not about immediate results either.If we work diligently to nurture our students, when they eventually teach children, they will teach children in the same way.That's why I tell my students that if you want to make a living as a teacher, it's important for you to spend four years slowly building up your skills, developing your way of thinking, and thinking about your future. Masu.It is also our mission to create an environment where this is possible.Universities are always conscious of how they can help students realize their dreams.

　``Becoming a teacher'' does not mean taking the teacher employment exam.
What we teach is not only to help students pass the teacher employment exam, but also to help them continue their career as a teacher after passing.By spending four years imagining what it would be like to become a teacher, students will develop an accurate understanding of reality, the attitude of continuing to learn in order to deal with children, and solve problems, as well as the determination to become a teacher.
There is probably a graduate of our university near you.I believe that the fact that so many of our graduates are active all over the country is proof of the educational efforts that our university has made.