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About the School of Education

The mission of the Syracuse University School of Education is to prepare thoughtful and socially just leaders who bridge scholarship and practice. Through collaborative partnerships and multifaceted inclusive approaches, we enhance student learning and success, physical activity and health, and mental health and wellbeing across communities.

Core Commitments

  1. To graduate highly skilled and knowledgeable practitioners, teachers, administrators, counselors, scholars, and other professionals who are leaders in their respective fields and are committed to inclusion in policy and practice.
  2. To operate from a social justice philosophy that includes advocating for the rights of historically marginalized populations and for educational, health, and broader forms of equity.
  3. To pursue rigorous scholarship, including evolving forms of intellectual and creative work that has an impact in local and global contexts.
  4. To promote wellness across communities including multiple dimensions of physical health and activity, and socio-emotional wellbeing.
  5. To prepare leaders in multiple fields including through intensive field experiences informed by theory, scholarly evidence, exemplary practices, and reciprocal university-community relations.
  6. To stimulate student success through transformative pedagogy, student-centered learning, and effective integration of technology-based and other resources.
  7. To recognize that diversity and academic excellence are inseparable. Diversity is embraced in its varied dimensions including but not limited to a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff; multiculturalism; and work in diverse schools and social environments.
  8. To foster interdisciplinary scholarship and collaborative partnerships, and to promote a climate in the School of Education and the broader university community characterized by mutual respect and democratic and sustainable practices.
  9. To nurture a vibrant, close-knit community of scholars and students who enrich as well as draw from the breadth of resources and opportunities of a research university.

Pedagogy Pillars

The School of Education stands on the two pillars of our strategic plan: Inclusive Anti-Racist Pedagogy and Digital Pedagogies. At this unique point in United States history—a point of national reckoning with racial injustice—the School is positioned with expertise and capacity, and a commitment to build more expertise and capacity, in inclusive anti-racist pedagogy, practice and philosophy. Syracuse University is also at a unique point in its history, with the expansion of Syracuse University Global signaling a significant focus on digital education. The School of Education has expertise and capacity, and a commitment to build more expertise and capacity, in digital pedagogy and practice. We seek to be the global leader in preparing educators for now and for the future with cross-functional fluency with technologies and digital pedagogies and deep understandings of and commitments to inclusive, anti-racist pedagogy and practices.

Umbrella and Signature Areas

Our excellence in research and teaching is displayed by our signature areas and our umbrella of Engaged Pedagogy and Practice.

Two cross-cutting signature areas impact all work in the School of Education:

  • Digital Pedagogy and Practice
  • Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice in Schools and Communities

Our signature areas where the School of Education strives to be a global leader:

  • Educational Leadership Development
  • Sustainable Partnerships that Contribute to Just Communities
  • Experiential Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
  • Critical and Engaged Methodologies for Education Research and Practice
the umbrella area, cross-cutting signatures, and signature areas described on this page

Umbrella and Signature Areas

Our excellence in research and teaching is displayed by our signature areas and our umbrella of Engaged Pedagogy and Practice.

Two cross-cutting signature areas impact all work in the School of Education:

  • Digital Pedagogy and Practice
  • Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice in Schools and Communities

Our signature areas where the School of Education strives to be a global leader:

  • Educational Leadership Development
  • Sustainable Partnerships that Contribute to Just Communities
  • Experiential Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
  • Critical and Engaged Methodologies for Education Research and Practice
the umbrella area, cross-cutting signatures, and signature areas described on this page