Students in intial teacher education programs engage in a set of common courses that build the foundation of program specific exploration and application. These courses are built around the themes of differentiation; assessment; culturally responsive pedagogy; and professionalism and perseverance. These four themes serve as guiding principles along with attention to the Unit Standards, dispositions, and resiliency to anchor teacher preparation in the needs of schools today and in the future.
The following information is provided as an overview to our approach that was built in collaboration with partners in the Winthrop-School Partnership Network.
Team Chair - Dr. Sarah Marie Berry
Using videos and vignettes, candidates develop and implement observation and analysis
skills in the context of culturally responsive instructional practice; critical thinking
and reflection; and the impact of teachers on classroom climate.
Team Chair - Dr. Tammy Burnham
Lecture and field-based course that explores the six strands of growth and development
from preschool to adolescence. Significant time is devoted to the application of these
strands to working with students living in poverty. Topics include motivation, self-regulation,
and families and communities.
Team Chair - Ms. Kimberly Oxley
Lecture and field-based course that applies content in the developmental sciences to working with an English Language Learner. Candidates examine the stages of language acquisition, the stages of language acculturation, and methods for supporting English Language Learners in the content area.
Team Chair - Dr. Minnie Mize
Lecture and field-based course that applies content in the developmental sciences
to addressing the needs of learners with disabilities and gifted learners in the general
education classroom. Candidates explore exceptional learner characteristics and implement
evidence-based strategies to address diverse needs.
Team Chair - Dr. Sarah Marie Berry
These courses explore various classroom assessment techniques and appropriate use
to meet the diverse needs of all learners. Skills in data-based decision-making are
identified and utilized by course participants. Principles of Universal Design for
Learning are applied to the design and implementation of assessment.
Team Chair - Dr. Lisa Harris
Lecture and field-based course that explores the use of technology as a tool to solve
specific teaching and learning challenges related to diverse student needs and content
area standards. Universal Design for Learning provides a structure for planning, implementing,
and assessing technology-assisted lessons.
EDCO 305 Syllabus (PDF - 264K)
EDCO 602 Syllabus (PDF - 128K)
Content Key Assessment
Field Key Assessment (PDF - 64K)
Host Teacher Field Guide (PDF - 65K) (see pg 2 for overview)
Team Chair - Dr. Stacy Martin
Lecture and field-based course in which teacher candidates observe and analyze the
impact of social skills and academic strategies on student learning, behavior, and
classroom climate.
Team Chair - Ms. Kristin Culbreath
Field-based internship in which teacher candidates implement instruction and conduct assessment as full-time junior faculty members in a school setting. Teacher candidates follow the school district calendar until university graduation including a pre-semester experience (second semester of the year-long internship). Visit Handouts and Forms for Internship II lesson plan templates and assessments.
Team Chair - Ms. Kristin Culbreath
Field-based internship in which teacher candidates implement instruction and conduct assessment as full-time junior faculty members in a school setting. Teacher candidates follow the school district calendar until university graduation including a pre-semester experience (second semester of the year-long internship). Visit Handouts and Forms for Internship II lesson plan templates and assessments.
Team Chair - Dr. Tammy Burnham
Using the context of the internship experience, teacher candidates analyze competing
ideas about what learning to teach in a democratic society means. Candidates explore
the political, legal, ethical, and philosophical foundations of education to develop
an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the professional educator.