EDUCATION
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Protection of Children and Youth Training, Diocese of Erie: All School of Education students must have completed the adult online Creating a Safe Environment training session prior to the first field experience. The two-hour training is offered free of charge at www.eriercd. org/protectyouth.htm. Important notes: 1) Do not use Internet Explorer as the browser 2) Connection to a printer is required 3) Print two copies of the certificate of completion, one for the School of Education and one to keep for a personal file. Tuberculosis Test: Prior to the first field experience, students must submit a valid negative tuberculin test certificate to the School of Education office. The certificate must be less than oneyear old at the time of submission. Arrangements for the test are the responsibility of the student. Student Teaching Requirements Student teaching is a capstone experience. To qualify for student teaching, teacher candidates must have met or exceeded all program requirements. In addition, candidates for student teaching must do the following: • Demonstrate acceptance into the School of Education. • Apply for student teaching one year prior to beginning the experience. • Demonstrate overall satisfactory ratings in professional dispositions. • Apply and submit clearances that will be less than one-year old by the end of the student teaching experience. • Have a valid negative TB test on file in the School of Education prior to the first day of student teaching. Arrangements for the test are the responsibility of the teacher candidate. If candidates are graduating in the semester of their student teaching experience, they are encouraged to complete the content specific exams designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education prior to student teaching. Passage of these exams is not a graduation requirement, but passage is required before Level I teaching certification approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Individuals Returning for Initial Certification Individuals with a BA or BS degree who are returning for certification must apply and be accepted through the University’s Center for Adult Learning and meet all criteria for admission to the School of Education. Post-baccalaureate teacher candidates are not required to meet the basic skills requirements, but they must complete the School of Education application.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PreK-4 Bachelor of Science Degree Mission of the Early Childhood Program: Gannon University’s Early Childhood PreK-4 program prepares skilled professionals who improve the educational experiences of young children by designing and delivering developmentally appropriate, child-centered curricula, instruction and assessment. Gannon’s Early Childhood Education curriculum provides a solid foundation in development and learning theory as well as instruction in content areas including language and literacy, mathematics, physical activity, creative arts, social studies and science. Gannon’s unique developmental field experiences provide a practical hands-on application of knowledge with a diverse population of young children across all socioeconomic and cultural levels. When combined with the Special Education PreK-12 curriculum, teacher candidates in the Early Childhood program will have additional opportunities for employment.
