Education

DR. CLAIR BERUBE DR. REBECCA JOHN DR. B. MALCOLM LIVELY DR. WILLIAM J. MCCONNELL, Director of the Teacher Education Program

The mission of the Teacher Education Program is to prepare reflective, engaged teachers of good character who will adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, and who are willing to advance the cause of education and cultivate and inspire a love of learning in all students and in the diverse communities where they teach.

Unique features of the Teacher Education Program include a rigorous, comprehensive liberal arts education, early and multiple field experiences, strong mentoring by faculty and staff, and career assistance through the Career Development & Internship Program in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. The state-accredited VWU Teacher Education Program is approved by the Virginia Board of Education and reviewed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. All endorsement programs fulfill the curricular requirements for initial licensure detailed in the Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia.

The VWU Teacher Education Program offers both undergraduate and graduate-level initial teacher licensure programs leading to endorsements in fifteen different areas. The table below delineates each of the fifteen available endorsement areas. The VWU Teacher Education Program offers three undergraduate majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Two of those majors are designed to lead to Virginia Teaching Licensure: a major in Elementary Education and a major in Special Education. The third major is a non-licensure major in Education Studies. Courses within the majors are specially designed to draw from the foundational knowledge gained from the Core and Pre-admission Coursework spanning the University’s four academic schools, while providing teaching candidates with experiences to bridge theory and practice in diverse P-12 contexts. Candidates pursuing these majors must apply, complete requirements of, and be accepted into the Undergraduate Education Program by the end of their sophomore year. Detailed policies are available in the online Teacher Education Program Candidate Handbooks accessible from the Program website (https://www.vwu.edu/academics/majors/education/).

Students hoping to enter the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) must complete an undergraduate degree in the content area in which they would like to teach. It is important to note that there is specific coursework within content majors that lead to the MAEd; thus, it is crucial that students seek an academic adviser from the Education Department as soon as possible. Students may apply for admission to this program as early as their sophomore year, but no later than their junior year, to ensure accurate advising. For more information about the graduate program please visit the VWU website. (https://www.vwu.edu/academics/graduate-programs/)

*See also Education Studies, Elementary Education, and Special Education.

VWU Education Programs and Endorsement Areas

Undergraduate Education Program

Elementary Education Studies (Non-licensure) Elementary Education (PreK-6) Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12)

Graduate Education Program (MAEd)

Secondary Endorsement Areas (6-12) Biology Chemistry Earth Science Mathematics English History and Social Sciences PreK-12 Endorsement Areas

French German Spanish Latin Vocal/Choral Music Theatre Arts Visual Arts

EDUCATION COURSES (EDUC)

225 Characteristics of the Learner (4)

A course in human growth and development from birth through adolescence. Students learn about the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children and how to use this knowledge to guide learning experiences and relate meaningfully to students. Includes discussion of social and individual differences that affect interaction including developmental disabilities, attention deficit disorders, gifted education, substance abuse, child abuse, and family disruptions. Offered every semester.

230 Observation in School Settings (1)

An observational field experience designed to acquaint potential education candidates with the role of teachers and the workings of schools. Placements are in diverse school settings. May be required for admission to the Education Program. Pass/fail grading. Offered every semester.

266 Classroom Management and Teaching Strategies (4)

Provides teacher candidates with classroom management content and skills that create positive classroom behavioral supports through strategies, effective teacher behaviors, and student assessments and interventions. Candidates develop a classroom management plan. A required 10-hour field experience assignment supports the application of the management skills. Offered every spring and summer.

320 Teaching Reading and the Language Arts I (4)

Candidates study theories and strategies for the assessment and teaching of reading and writing for emergent and beginning readers. Instruction leads to understanding the complex nature of language acquisition and reading from phonological awareness to comprehension, ELL, language-based learning disabilities, and instructional strategies to meet children’s individual needs to promote progress with the VA Standards of Learning. Prerequisites: EDUC 225, INST 202 and consent. Offered every semester.

321 Teaching Reading and the Language Arts II (4) W

Candidates study theories and strategies for the assessment and teaching of reading and writing for transitional to intermediate/advanced level readers. Instruction focuses on fluency and vocabulary, comprehension strategies, languagebased learning disabilities, ELL, multicultural literacies and literature, and instructional strategies to meet children’s individual needs to promote progress with the VA Standards of Learning. Prerequisites: successful completion of ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher, EDUC 320 and consent. Offered every spring.

328 Teaching Math for Diverse Learners (4)

Candidates develop discipline-specific pedagogical knowledge and skills to plan and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment that meet the needs of diverse learners and address the nature of mathematics, the five mathematical processes, and the contributions and role of math in culture and society. Focus is on addressing local, state, and national standards. Prerequisite: INST 202, EDUC 225, and EDUC 266. Offered every spring.

329 Curriculum and Instruction PreK-6 (4)

Provides elementary teacher candidates with an understanding of the principles of learning; the application of skills in discipline-specific methodology; communication processes; selection and use of materials, including media and computers; and evaluation of pupil performance including interpreting and analyzing valid assessments to make teaching decisions. Includes teaching methods for English language learners, gifted and talented students, and students with disabling conditions (PreK-6), and promotes student progress and preparation for the Virginia Standards of Learning assessments. Students learn methods of improving communication and involvement between schools and families, including the Foundation Blocks for Early Learning. Prerequisite: INST 202, EDUC 225, and consent. Offered every fall.

330 Elementary Practicum (1)

A teaching practicum that provides an opportunity to apply teaching methods, practice skills in teaching specific subjects, and learn how to implement classroom management strategies. The placements are in diverse school settings. A supervised field experience in a primary classroom is provided. The student must request a placement from the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences early in the registration process. Prerequisites: INST 202, EDUC 225, EDUC 320 and consent. Prerequisite/Corequisite: EDUC 329. Offered every fall. Course fee: $27.00

348 Perspectives on Mathematics & Science Initiatives (4)

Provides teaching candidates knowledge and skills required to develop, implement, analyze and interpret valid and reliable assessments (formative and summative) for diverse learners to inform instruction. Candidates will develop knowledge of formal and informal accountability systems for student and teacher evaluation and legal and ethical implications of preK-12 assessment. Prerequisites: INST 202 and EDUC 225. Offered every spring.

350 Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction (4)

Provides teaching candidates knowledge ad skills required to develop, implement, analyze, and interpret valid and reliable assessments (formative and summative) for diverse learners to inform instruction. Candidates will develop knowledge of formal and informal accountability systems for student and teacher evaluation and legal and ethical implications of preK-12 assessment. Prerequisites: INST 202, EDUC 225. Offered every spring.

364 Classroom Management and Teaching Strategies (2)

Provides Special Education General Curriculum K-12 teacher candidates with classroom management content and skills that create positive classroom behavioral supports through strategies, effective teacher behaviors, and student assessments and interventions. Candidates develop a classroom management plan. Prerequisite: PSY 205, special education candidates only, and consent. Offered on demand.

434 Elementary Pre-service Teaching I (8)

A student teaching experience in grades 1-3. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Prerequisite: Consent only. Offered every semester.

435 Elementary Pre-service Teaching II (8)

A student teaching experience in grades 4-5. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Prerequisite: Consent only. Offered every semester.

445 Secondary Pre-service Teaching I (8)

A student teaching experience in grades 6-8. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Candidates seeking preK-12 endorsement also enroll in EDUC 445. Prerequisite: Consent only. Offered every semester.

446 Secondary Pre-service Teaching II (8)

A student teaching experience in grades 9-12. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Candidates seeking preK-12 endorsement also enroll in EDUC 446. Prerequisite: Consent only. Offered every semester.

461 Elementary Pre-service Teaching I (4)

A student teaching experience in grades 1-3. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Prerequisite: VWU degree. Consent only. Offered every semester.

462 Elementary Pre-service Teaching II (4)

A student teaching experience in grades 4-5. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Consent only. Offered every semester.

463 Secondary Pre-service Teaching I (4)

A student teaching experience in grades 6-8. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Candidates seeking preK-12 endorsement also enroll in EDUC 463. Prerequisite: VWU degree. Consent only. Offered every semester.

464 Secondary Pre-service Teaching II (4)

A student teaching experience in grades 9-12. Placements are in diverse school settings. Candidates must submit application for placement to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences the semester before student teaching. Includes an integrated seminar. Candidates seeking preK-12 endorsement also enroll in EDUC 464. Prerequisite: admission to the Education Program. Degreed students majoring in art, foreign language, vocal/choral, and theatre arts for preK-12 certification also enroll in EDUC 463/464. Offered every semester.

480 Field Experience in Education (1)

Involves working with students in special programs. The experience helps prospective teachers learn about students outside the usual formal school environment. An AVID program placement is possible. Pass/fail grading. Prerequisite: consent. Offered on demand.