The Ministry of Education believes that every Belizean student deserves a caring, competent, and highly qualified teacher and tasks the Teacher Education and Development Services to work diligently to make a difference in the quality of teaching and teacher preparation today, tomorrow, and for the next century.

In this regard, TEDS’ primary responsibilities focus on program standards and development and quality assurance as it relates to:

• Teacher Education Programs (pre-primary, primary and secondary)
• Pre-service Teacher Assessment
• Principal and Manager Education
• Teacher Educator Education

Contents: 1. Purpose 2. Vision 3. Mission 4. Primary Goals 5. Roles and Functions 6. Staff and Contact Details

The Teacher Education and Development Services (TEDS) of the Ministry of Education is charged with the responsibility of coordinating all activities that relate to and support the education and professional development of teachers, teacher educators and school leaders throughout their careers.

To achieve its goals, TEDS shall work closely with other Departments, Units, Centers and Service Areas of the Ministry as well as all institutions and organizations offering programs for the general education, training and professional development of teachers.

Vision

TEDS, through its partnerships and professional affiliations, will promote access, accountability, quality assurance and research in teacher education programs and services.

Mission

TEDS strives to assure the highest quality teacher preparation and continuous professional development of programs and services for teachers, teacher educators and school leaders in order to develop competent educators who will consistently work to improve the quality of education for the children of Belize.

Primary Goals

• Support the attainment and retention of a high quality teaching service
• Facilitate the increase in access to teacher education programs and services
• Assure quality in teaching and teacher education programs and services
• Ensure the accountability of institutions and organizations offering teacher education programs and services
• Facilitate the production and dissemination of relevant resources and educational research

Roles and Functions

1. Serve as the Secretariat to the Belize Board of Teacher Education (BBTE)
2. Support the attainment and retention of a high quality teaching service through the establishment of relevant standards and competencies
3. Provide advice on the structure and appropriate proficiency levels required for the development of career paths in teaching
4. Support and monitor, against established standards, the delivery of teacher education programs and services in institutions and organizations offering such programs
5. Administer and assess pre-service teacher assessment to ensure targeted delivery of relevant teacher preparatory programs
6. Administer relevant Induction Programs for Newly Qualified Teachers to strengthen the quality of teacher preparation at all levels
7. Conduct on-going needs assessment and coordinate all activities that relate to and support the education and continuous professional development of teachers, teacher educators, and school leaders throughout their careers
8. Collaborate with other Units, Departments, Centers and Service Areas of the Ministry as well as other institutions and organizations offering teacher education programs and services to provide opportunities for relevant, coherent and effective general education, training and continuous professional development of teachers
9. Maintain a national Teacher Tracking System to monitor teachers from recruitment to retirement to ensure compliance with established criteria and guidelines for licensing and an established career path in teaching
10. Develop and maintain a resource center for teachers and teacher educators and formulate, implement and monitor plans to facilitate the production and dissemination of relevant educational research

Staff and Contact Details

Ms. Jeannie Garbutt—Coordinator (Induction Program)

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Mrs. Yvonne Tyndall-Howell—Coordinator (Professional Development)

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Ms. Agnela Makin—Coordinator (Research and Information Management)

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Ms. Laureen Stevens—Administrative Assistant

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