Brief History
n 1991, as it became apparent that there was a growing number of young religious in East Africa who intended to devote their lives to teaching, the De La Salle Brothers, having been engaged in secondary school management in East Africa since 1955, took the initiative to establish a teacher training program in Nairobi, Kenya. Brother Leonard Courtney, FSC, PhD, was the founding Director of Christ the Teacher Centre (as it was then called). An advisory board was called together to propose a curriculum for the program. It was originally hoped that the program would lead in four years to a bachelor’s degree. It, however, began as a three-year teacher diploma program.
In 1992, Tangaza College, a constituent college of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, housing a major seminary for a consortium of religious orders, received and granted to host Christ the Teacher Center.
In 1993 Saint Mary’s College (as it was called then) was requested to sponsor Christ the Teacher Centre as an Institute of its School of Education. Over the next two years intensive work was accomplished by Brother Raphael Patton, FSC, PhD, the second Director, in cooperation with Brother Louis De Thomasis, FSC, PhD, the President of Saint Mary’s. The authorization by the North Central Association for St. Mary’s to extend its accreditation to include Three - Year Diploma in Teacher Education and Bachelor of Science in Education Degree was received on 24th August 1995. At this time, the official name became CHRIST THE TEACHER INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION (CTIE), part of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota School of Education.
In 1998, CTIE, through its Board of Directors, became a Registered Trust in the Republic of Kenya, able to transact business in its own name as Christ the Teacher Institute for Education Registered Trustees.
Christ the Teacher Institute for Education awarded through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota first Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in May 1997. In March 2005, The Higher Learning Commission/USA granted Saint Mary’s University the approval to change the title of the degree from Bachelor of Science in Education degree to Bachelor of Education.
CHRIST THE TEACHER INSITUTE OF EDUCATION
MISSION
CTIE is committed to preparing authentic educators for the continent of Africa and beyond. As an institute of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, a Lasallian university, it is committed to the Lasallian educational values.
The Institute is committed to a rigorous and stimulating program that thoroughly prepares teachers for their work; and to inspire them to see what they do as a vocation as well as a profession. The chief goal of the curriculum is to provide a solid foundation in Religious Studies, Education, Counseling and Guidance, and teaching concentration areas in Christian Religious Education, English, Geography, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Philosophy. Other electives are available to enrich the curriculum.
SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
MISSION
Enriched by the Catholic, Lasallian heritage, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership.
VISION
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will transform society one learner at a time, so that faith, zeal, service, and leadership all directed toward the common good become society’s defining hallmarks.
TANGAZA COLLEGE
MISSION
Tangaza College endeavors to enhance lifelong learning, foster personal growth and develop leadership qualities. The College undertakes to prepare ministers for the church and the society today. Tangaza wishes to produce graduates who are both highly qualified and deeply committed to the service and transformation of society.
Accreditation
CTIE is an Institute of Tangaza College under Section 11(e) of the Convention of the Constituent Colleges. As an Institute of Tangaza College (A constituent college of Catholic University of Eastern Africa), CTIE also has legal standing in Kenya.
Formal announcement that Saint Mary’s University was authorized by the North Central Association to extend its accreditation to include three-year diploma and bachelor of science degree was received on 24 August 1995, at which time the official name of the Nairobi Campus program became Christ the Teacher Institute for Education (CTIE). The Institute is part of the School of Education of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMU) is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States.
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
(800) 621-7740
www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org
In 1995, the University received approval to expand its relationship with its accreditor to include the educational offerings of Christ the Teacher Institute for Education.
