2015-2016 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Education
|
|
Chairperson and Director: Laura M. Wasielewski
Coordinator of Clinical Practice: Dianna Gahlsdorf Terrell; Assistant Professors: Kristine Allen, Kelly E. Demers, Dianna Gahlsdorf Terrell, Aubrey Scheopner Torres, Laura M. Wasielewski; Lecturers: James Elefante, Terri Henning, Frank Hoell, Dan Lafleur, Michael Orlando, Jody Pedro, Kate Schoedinger, Victoria Stickney, Amy Woods.
General Information
The preparation of educators has played an important role in the mission of Saint Anselm College since 1920. The Department offers a state-approved teacher education program (TEP) leading to initial certification in Elementary K-6; ESOL (Teaching English Speakers of Other Languages) K-12; or Secondary. Secondary certifications include the following content areas: Mathematics (grades 7-12), Chemistry (grades 7-12), Applied Physics (grades 7-12), Life Science (grades 7-12), English Language Arts (grades 5-12), Social Studies (grades 5-12), Spanish (grades K-12), French (grades K-12), and Latin (grades K-12).
New Hampshire has reciprocity agreements with approximately 40 other states, and certification eligibility is extended to a considerably larger geographical area. It is an individual’s responsibility to contact the state of choice in order to obtain certification requirements and guidelines in other states. Specific requirements may differ from those within New Hampshire such as grade point averages, testing requirements, and professional experience.
The Teacher Education Program offered at Saint Anselm College is designed to integrate liberal arts general education, specialized content major and teacher education requirements. Our programs emphasize a strong theoretical base and practical experience. Its strengths lie in the use of reflective practice; multiple opportunities for teaching in diverse classrooms; and deep content knowledge/exposure.
Philosophy and Mission
The mission of the Teacher Education Programs is to prepare educators who thrive as leaders in the 21st Century Learning Environment. The Department believes that teaching is an intellectual and professional endeavor grounded in the strength and excellence of our liberal arts curriculum. Our comprehensive programs allow our students the necessary theory and practice to form their work in regard to the ethical, moral, political and social realities that shape education.
Program Goals
The Teacher Education Programs at Saint Anselm College will:
- produce quality educators who embrace Life and Career Skills, Learning and Innovation Skills, and Information, Media, and Technology Skills.
- foster students’ content and pedagogical knowledge as well as Technology Skills.
- continue to enhance our partnerships with our local K-12 urban, suburban and Catholic schools.
Student Expenses:
Expenses for students in the Teacher Education Program are the same as for other students enrolled in the College with the following additional charges subject to adjustment: 1) PRAXIS/equivalent exams approximately $300; 2) Task Stream web-based portfolio subscription $69 for 2 years; 3) ED130 incurs a $35.00 lab fee and ED250 and ED450 each incur a $25.00 lab fee. If a student is placed within a school district prior to taking ED130, the student will be responsible for the $25 mandatory fingerprinting and background check, which will be credited back once they enroll in ED130.
Transportation:
Students are responsible for providing or arranging for their own transportation to and from the schools to which they are assigned during all clinical experiences.
Content and Major Requirements
All students choosing to pursue teacher certification must complete the college’s general education requirements, receive a “C” or better in all Education courses, and the individual department requirements for all majors.
Requirements for Certification:
PRAXIS Exams (or individual state equivalent):
To obtain certification in New Hampshire students must successfully complete the PRAXIS exams. It is the students’ responsibility to arrange for the PRAXIS exams (forms/information available outside Education Department and online). Students are responsible for registering for the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills and PRAXIS II: Subject Assessments. Candidates need to receive a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test prior to application to the TEP. PRAXIS II is completed during the semester prior to student teaching. Please see the Teacher Education Handbook for details. It is the students’ responsibility to find out which tests and subtests are required by the state in which they anticipate seeking licensure.
Criminal Records Checks:
The Education Department at Saint Anselm College stresses the importance of appropriate ethical and moral conduct of those who will interact with young people. The State of New Hampshire requires (RSA 189:13-a) a criminal records check. All students participating in clinical experiences through the Education Department are required to be fingerprinted and have a NH and FBI background check prior to their first clinical placement embedded in ED 130 (Sophomore Early Field Experience). Returned background checks will be filed in the Education Department and should suffice for the students’ remaining clinical experiences throughout the program. However, if a student takes courses out of order or requests a clinical placement outside of Saint Anselm College’s partnering school network, additional background checks may be required.
Teacher Education Program Procedures
Advisement:
The primary advisor for all students is a member of the content/major department faculty. Elementary Education majors are assigned an advisor from the Education Department. The Director will assign an advisor for Secondary Education majors and minors to complete their plan of study and SEFE application. From this point until completion of student teaching, students meet with their advisor in the minor a minimum of once a semester to insure they are taking appropriate courses and fulfilling other experience requirements. The content/major department remains the primary advisor for these students.
Application to Teacher Education:
Upon successful completion of the SEFE requirement, and a passing score on the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills Test, formal application is made to enter the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Forms and directives are available from the Education Department and online. Applicants may be accepted, accepted conditionally or not accepted. Reason for conditional acceptance or for non-acceptance will be given. The student may appeal a non-acceptance to the Dean within ten days and present further evidence of qualifications. Please see the TEP Handbook for details of candidate assessment.
Application to Student Teaching:
ED 432 : Supervised Student Teaching is a capstone clinical experience which takes place during the fall semester (Elementary Education Studies) or spring semester (Secondary Education major or minor) of the senior year. Additional courses: ED 430 and/or a Methods of Teaching course complete the course load for the semester depending upon the major. Application should be made during the students’ sixth/seventh semester. Forms and directives may be obtained online. To be considered for student teaching, the applicant must complete 1/3 of the electronic portfolio and submit the application form and recommendations from professors who will attest to the students’ competency in basic skills, subject major content, leadership skills, and general fitness including professional behavior as an educator.
An overall cumulative grade point average of 2.5 will be required by the end of the sixth semester (elementary) or seventh semester (secondary) in order to student teach. A sophomore or junior student who has not quite reached the required grade point level is considered conditionally accepted and is permitted to remain in the program to work toward the academic averages.
The decision to permit or not permit supervised student teaching is made by the Director of Teacher Education. Those students not accepted will be informed as early as possible. If the application is not approved and the student wishes to appeal this decision, this appeal must be directed to the Dean’s office as soon as possible to allow necessary time for the appeal process and appropriate registration of the student for second semester.
Placement and Orientation to Student Teaching:
Applicants for student teaching will be given a tentative placement in a cooperating school the semester prior to student teaching. Consideration is given to the requests of the student whenever such placement is feasible and can be properly supervised by the college. Generally, no student is assigned to a school from which he/she has graduated or where a relative or family member is employed. In order to facilitate supervision from the campus, an effort is made to group student teachers within a geographical area. Students will complete comprehensive orientation activities the semester prior to student teaching during a Bridge Experience. All student teachers strictly adhere to the schedule of the assigned cooperating school. Secondary Education minors take the February vacation week as their spring vacation. During the SAC spring break students are teaching in the schools.
Student Teaching Assessment:
The Student Teaching Manual outlines the assessment and evaluation process. Please refer to the Student Teaching Manual online.
ProgramsMajorMinorCourses
|
