Teacher Education: Elementary Education (Grades K-6) B.S.Ed.
The Elementary Education program prepares teachers for an endorsement in grades kindergarten through six. The Bachelor of Science in Education is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the approved program, which includes a planned sequence of professional courses, field experiences, and a full-semester internship experience.
The Elementary Education program focuses on a central theme of “Teaching All Children Strategically in Diverse Communities.” Embedded in a state known for its progressive schooling traditions, Elementary Education students have ample opportunity to learn about and practice the art and science of teaching. Through a web of unique interactions with area schools, Elementary Education majors build relationships with diverse populations of children, beginning in the second year of their professional program.
Several features distinguish the program:
Integrated Classroom and Field Experiences
Using a research-to-practice model, the Elementary Education program integrates theoretical constructs with authentic experiences. Students in the program have multiple opportunities to connect their on-campus learning to authentic classroom experiences. The program pairs these field-based experiences with pedagogy courses focusing on literacy, mathematics, and inquiry-based science and social studies. The final professional internship (student teaching) is accompanied by a seminar emphasizing classroom climate and reflective teaching. Students are thus placed in learning opportunities where theory and practice intersect.
Authentic Assessment
The State of Vermont requires a results-oriented demonstration of teaching competence to qualify for the teaching license. The Elementary Education program incorporates portfolio-driven, authentic assessments at every step of the professional program. Interns learn to create a licensure portfolio as a method of documenting and assessing their own learning.
Educating All Learners
The State of Vermont has inclusive learning experiences where diverse learners work together side-by-side in classroom settings. Elementary Education majors learn about and practice the application of instructional adaptations for learners with diverse needs. Students in the Elementary Education program may choose to minor in Special Education or earn a certificate in Place-Based Education. They may also choose a minor in Education for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (ECLD), which can lead to endorsement for teaching English Learners (ELs).
Content Area Course Work
The content area course work for Elementary Education students is comprised of four disciplines: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. This coursework prepares students to teach all content areas in elementary classrooms. Students work with their advisors to develop a plan to complete course work in all four disciplines and meet a minimum GPA of 2.75 in content area courses.
The overall course of study consists of a minimum of 120 credits which are divided into the following categories:
- University Catamount Core Curriculum Requirements
- Professional Preparation Sequence
- Content Area Course work
Elementary Education Requirements
All students must meet the Degree and University Requirements.
All students must meet the Catamount Core Curriculum Requirements.
All students must meet the College Requirements.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS | ||
EDSP 1050 | Iss Aff Persons W/Disabil | 3 |
EDEL 1240 | Brain Rsch and Learning Theory 1 | 3 |
or EDEC 1630 | Child Development | |
or HDF 1050 | Human Development | |
or PSYS 2400 | Developmental Psych: Childhood | |
ECLD 1560 | Lang Policy Issues,Race&Sch | 3 |
EDFS 1020 | School and Society | 3 |
or EDFS 3030 | Soc, Hst & Phil Found of Educ | |
EDEL 2550 | Teachers &the Teaching Process | 3 |
EDEL 2570 | Mtg Needs of Diverse Learners | 3 |
Demonstration of core competencies | ||
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS | ||
EDEL 3750 | Lab Experience in Literacy | 3 |
EDEL 3780 | Teaching Math for Meaning | 3 |
EDEL 3760 | Language Arts&Literacy Skills | 3 |
EDEL 3770 | Children's Lit & Literacy | 3 |
EDEL 3550 | Lab Experience in Inquiry | 3 |
EDEL 3570 | Social Educ&Social Studies | 3 |
EDEL 3580 | Teaching Science for Meaning | 3 |
EDEL 4760 | Plng, Adptg, Dlvring Lit Instr 2 | 3 |
EDEL 4991 | Internship: Student Teaching 3 | 12 |
EDEL 4880 | Student Teaching Seminar | 3 |
Qualifying score on a state-approved content assessment or commensurate assessment approved by another US state or territory | ||
CONTENT CONCENTRATION COURSES 4,5 | ||
Students must compete 12 credits in each area, with 6 additional credits in one of the content areas | ||
English Language Arts | 12 | |
Math | 12 | |
MATH 1111 or higher, CS, STAT | ||
Science | 12 | |
Social Studies | 12 | |
Additional 6 credits in one content area | 6 |
Performance in Pre-Professional and Professional Courses
Students must achieve a grade of B- or better in all pre-professional and professional courses. If students receive a grade below B- in one of these courses, they will be placed on program probation for the following semester. They will need to submit a formal request to continue in the program, and they will attend a Student Support Team (SST) meeting to develop a plan for successfully moving forward in the program. Two consecutive semesters with a grade below B- in any pre-professional or professional course may result in dismissal from the program.
Progression into the Professional Courses
Students must complete the online Application to Teacher Education form during the spring semester after they have completed EDEL 2570. Students will follow the requirements specified in this application. Students will not be permitted to enroll in Professional courses until they have been accepted to Teacher Education, have a minimum GPA of 2.75, have a professional GPA of 3.0, and have passed the PRAXIS Core exam or equivalent.
Progression into Student Teaching
During their junior year, students are required to complete the online Application to Student Teaching before being assigned a placement. The Director of Educator Licensure will conduct a Student Teaching Orientation meeting. Students will be notified of the meeting by email, and are required to attend. Students will follow the requirements specified in the Application to Student Teaching. Students need minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, Professional GPA of 3.0 and Content GPA of 2.75.