JOIN US And change the world. UVM’s College of Education and Social Services (CESS) prepares outstanding professionals in education, social work, and human services. We prioritize teaching, research and services that are student-centered, family-focused, communityengaged, culturally competent and collaboratively designed. Our programs emphasize academic and inclusive excellence, actively cultivating connections that leverage the interconnected nature of schools, families, and communities. CESS graduates are uniquely positioned to make an impact on the world by improving lives, strengthening communities, and making a real and lasting difference in society.
STUDENTS
Years of experience— before you graduate. “Making positive changes in my students’ and families’ lives makes me enjoy and feel proud of my work as a teacher,” says Rosalva Aguilar (’20). “I’m so grateful for the many opportunities to observe and teach in different field settings, including King Street Center, the Campus Children’s School, Trinity Children’s Center, JFK Elementary School, and more. My students come from diverse backgrounds. I’m gaining a better understanding of why it is important to differentiate teaching styles so all students can have the opportunity to feel supported and engaged in the classroom. It’s gratifying to see when students feel empowered and driven to learn.”
Why UVM?
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
“I decided to attend UVM because of the culture,” says Aguilar. “People are very open-minded, embracing diversity and change. And I really like that CESS has small classes and offers individualized attention. In the CESS community everyone is closeknit and supportive of each other. Professors are advocates for change within education and beyond which is very important to me.”
With many seminarstyle classes of fewer than 25 students, our undergrads build strong relationships with faculty and their fellow students.
Through a variety of diverse, communitybased settings, students engage early and often in practical experiences that are strong complements to their studies.
Dual Certification and Dual Degree opportunities give our teacher education graduates an edge in the job market.
Social Work courses are structured around interaction, actively engaging through case studies, simulated exercises, service-learning, field experience, and more.
Above: For her exceptional research, scholarship, leadership, and community service, Human Development and Family Studies major Claire Crowley (’19) earned an Emerging Scholar Award and recognition as a National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Honors Student. Now she is pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology through a fellowship award.
Students can engage in experiential learning with our internationally acclaimed Campus Children’s School, Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education, Shelburne Farms, and many other opportunities.
Working with UVM faculty on a wide variety of research projects enriches student learning experience and adds another dimension to our graduates’ resumes.
CESS students can pursue study abroad programs in New Zealand, Finland, Portugal, England, France, and Hawaii. Many more opportunities are offered through UVM’s Office of International Education.
C O L L EG E O F E D U C AT I O N & S O C I A L S E RV I C E S
Above: Through a servicelearning course, Eric Venezia (’17) tutored Bhutanese immigrant Saran Chhetri in preparation for the U.S. citizenship test. “It has been an incredible experience to work with Saran,” says Venezia. “We have a mutual respect for each other and just enjoy working together. It’s powerful to know that it could have a direct impact on his life if he gets citizenship.”
FAC U LT Y: Me e t a f ew o f o u r Cynthia Reyes examines the role
of cultural identity, language and literacy in her scholarly work and teaching. By understanding our students and their lived experiences, she believes that teachers can improve their pedagogy. Dr. Reyes’ research interests, advocacy work and teaching focuses on Education for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, immigrant and refugee populations, social justice, and technology. She received UVM’s Outstanding Faculty Award in 2019.
Christine Velez focuses on school
social work, Latino community services, refugee resettlement, and developmental disabilities services. She is especially interested in the infusion of critical race studies and the intersectionality into social work education. Her current research focuses on reproductive justice issues impacting women of color and youth. Previously, she focused on substance use intervention and treatment research with marginalized communities.
Simon Jorgenson’s courses
in social studies education and science education are designed around John Dewey’s experiential approach to teaching and learning. As a researcher, he focuses on the convergence of STEM and environmental education—the ‘greening’ of STEM. He is also interested in place-based education and teachers’ lived experiences in schools and classrooms.
Wo r l d Class Te acher - S cholars Nicole Conroy’s research and
Justin Garwood’s teaching and
research focuses on supporting children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), especially through literacy development and relationshipbased supports. He also has expertise in classroom management, relationship-based pedagogy, and research methods. In 2019, he received the Research Article of the Year Award from the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES).
John Pirone has extensive
teaching experience in American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf Culture, and Deaf Studies at a variety of colleges and universities. His students gain ASL language and cultural competencies while developing a deeper multidisciplinary understanding of Deaf experiences through historical, social, and cultural lenses. ASL also fulfills foreign language requirements at UVM.
C O L L EG E O F E D U C AT I O N & S O C I A L S E RV I C E S
teaching focus on the interrelationships between individuals, families, and sociocultural contexts that shape development. She teaches courses in human and family development, sexuality, interpersonal violence, gerontology, and research methods. Her current research includes the role of gender in intimate partner violence (IPV), intersections of marginalized identities, and community and system responses to IPV and sexual assault.
Professors Bernice Garnett, Lance Smith, Tracy Ballysingh, and Colby Kervick lead UVM’s interdisciplinary restorative practices research team in partnership with the Burlington School District.
Partnerships with over 160 schools and service organizations give students real world experience with experts in the field. Professors Kieran Killeen and Tammy Kolbe received national recognition from the American Educational Research Association for their policy research to transform special education funding.
Each year, CESS students provide over 190,000 hours of community service through field work and internships.
As a leader with The Management Center, Shawna Wells (’04) is working to level the playing field for students in underserved communities by transforming underperforming schools across the country.
High school teacher Zachary Wright (’05), Philadelphia Teacher of the Year in 2013, created a scholarship that boosts college aspiration among his students and puts enrolling at UVM within reach.
VOICES OF NEW AMERICANS Diverse refugee communities are changing the face of Vermont and the nation. Social Work Professor Susan Comerford has deep ties within this population of new Americans, a concern that traces to her years of experience working on the ground in refugee camps and as an advocate in the halls of power. She shares that expertise in her servicelearning course, Working with Refugees, giving students direct contact with the global social issue of our times. “If you leave this class with only an intellectual understanding, then I have not done my job,” she tells students early in the semester. “You need to understand this on a personal level.” Medina Serdarevic ‘18 (left) is pictured working in an after-school program at Burlington’s King Street Center, part of her fieldwork for the course.
Grace Colbert ’18 (below) is working to advance educational equity as an elementary school teacher with Teach for America in Boston.
C O L L EG E O F E D U C AT I O N & S O C I A L S E RV I C E S
With backing from a U.S. Department of Education grant, Professors Jen Hurley and Shelly Velleman are leading the interdisciplinary preparation of professionals who will increase the availability and quality of services for children with disabilities.
Societal change starts here.
UVM’s COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES (CESS)
Early Childhood Education, B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Special Education, B.S.Ed. Elementary Education, B.S.Ed. Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. Individually Designed Major, B.S.Ed. Middle Level Education, B.S.Ed. Music Education, B.S.Ed. Physical Education, B.S.Ed. Secondary Education, B.S.Ed. Social Work, B.S.W.
Counseling, M.S. Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed. Educational Leadership, M.Ed. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Ed.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Ph.D. Gerontology Certificate
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS MINORS
Art Education, B.S.Ed.
Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration, M.Ed. Interdisciplinary Studies, M.Ed. Interdisciplinary Study of Disabilities Certificate Social Work, M.S.W. Special Education, M.Ed.
American Sign Language Coaching Computer Science Education Education for Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Human Development and Family Studies Special Education Sports Management
ACCELERATED MASTER’S
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS MAJORS
includes the departments of Education, Social Work, and Leadership and Developmental Sciences. Collectively, CESS offers many undergraduate majors, minors and graduate programs.
Counseling, M.S. Educational Leadership, M.Ed. Middle Level Education, M.A.T. Secondary Education, M.A.T. Special Education (M.Ed.)
ADMISSIONS / APPLY www.uvm.edu/admissions EXPLORE CESS
www.uvm.edu/cess
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cessstsv@uvm.edu
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At UVM, you’ll learn from some of the top teachers— and researchers—in the world, enjoying all the benefits of the #1 college town in America.
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ALUMNI
Our deep commitment to experiential learning and inclusive excellence prepares students for a variety of rewarding career pathways. From this incredible launching pad, you’ll be prepared to go anywhere and to do anything, like these alumni before you: Tom Payeur, math teacher at Winooski High School, selected as the 2019 Vermont Teacher of the Year Briana Martin, 2019 Fulbright Scholar, pursuing her Master’s of Social Work from McGill University in Montreal
Leo Lambert, president emeritus at Elon University, who led a period of great transformation for the school Jennifer Hauptman, recognized by Social Work Today as one of the top ten social workers
of CESS graduates are employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduation.
Ryan Fletcher, principal at Oakland, California’s Piedmont Middle School, ranked as the #1 public middle school in the country in 2015 Winnie Looby, Disability Studies Project Coordinator, Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
Camara Stokes Hudson, pursuing a law degree after completing a Juvenile Justice public policy fellowship with Connecticut Voices for Children Kristen Farrell, selected as the 2018 California Teacher of the Year
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