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Regis University College for Professional Studies (CPS) School of Education and Counseling recently began a new tradition – a teacher pinning ceremony -- to recognize its teacher licensure students and to emphasize the importance of the teaching profession. 

More than 50 people attended the initial ceremony conducted in Fort Collins for students in Loveland, Wyoming and Northern front range students, and about 200 people attended the metro event conducted at the Lone Tree Country Club.

“The Teacher Pinning ceremony was conceived as a symbolic welcoming of new teachers to the profession,” explained Janna Oakes, dean and professor in the School of Education and Counseling. “Teacher licensure students in the CPS School of Education and Counseling, in the presence of their invited guests and cooperating and supervising teachers, are presented with teaching pins by the School at a formal event held each semester.” The ceremony includes conducting a blessing of the hands and a candle light rose presentation.

“It’s truly a moving event for all in attendance,” Oakes added.
Oakes said that each semester the School of Education will conduct a teacher pinning ceremony for Northern Colorado and Wyoming students as well as one for the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs students.

The CPS Teacher Education initial licensure Programs, which was recently awarded Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) accreditation for the next seven years, provides undergraduate, graduate, licensure, and certification options for adult learners with a focus on preparing students to meet changing demands in education. Programs in Education are state-approved in Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada. The Colorado licensure programs are nationally-approved through the TEAC.

Oakes, who became dean of the CPS School of Education and Counseling in June, notes that “the CPS teacher licensure programs meet all Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Department of Higher Education requirements, are focused on distinctive Jesuit values, and are focused on preparing students to meet the needs of digital native students in contemporary classrooms.”