Elementary Teacher Education Program (PreK-6)

Program Overview

Bridgewater College's Elementary Teacher Education Program prepares future educators to inspire a love of learning in young minds. Through a blend of coursework, clinical experiences, and student teaching, the program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to effectively teach in PreK-6 classrooms. Graduates are eligible for licensure in Virginia and many other states, opening up a wide range of career opportunities in elementary education. The program emphasizes active learning, faculty mentorship, and innovative approaches to teacher preparation, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to make a lasting impact on the lives of young learners.

Program Outline

Degree Overview: Elementary Teacher Education Program (PreK-6)

Overview:

The Elementary Teacher Education Program at Bridgewater College prepares future educators to ignite a love of learning in young minds. The program is dedicated to equipping graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to inspire and guide young students in their formative years.

Objectives:

• Inspire a love of learning: The program aims to cultivate a passion for education in its graduates, equipping them to instill the same enthusiasm in their future students.
• Develop effective teaching skills: Through a combination of coursework and practical experience, the program equips graduates with the necessary skills to effectively deliver instruction, manage classrooms, and create engaging learning environments.
• Prepare for licensure: The program aligns with Virginia's licensure requirements, ensuring graduates are qualified to teach in PreK-6 classrooms across the state and many others through reciprocal certification agreements.

Description:

Bridgewater College's Elementary Teacher Education Program is a state-approved program designed to meet the needs of aspiring elementary educators. Through a blend of rigorous coursework, supervised clinical experiences, and student teaching, the program fosters a deep understanding of child development, effective teaching practices, curriculum development, and classroom management strategies. The program emphasizes the importance of fostering a love of learning in young children, while equipping graduates with the necessary skills to nurture their intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

Outline:

• Core Courses: The program curriculum includes a foundation of core courses that provide a comprehensive understanding of child development, learning theories, and effective teaching methodologies.
These courses delve into various subjects, including literature for children, writing pedagogy, mathematics education, history, science, geography, and biology.
• Course Choices: Students can choose from a selection of courses in various disciplines, allowing them to tailor their program to their interests and career aspirations.
Options include economics, English and writing, physics, and family consumer sciences.
• Licensure Courses: In addition to the core curriculum, students complete a series of professional education courses specifically designed to prepare them for licensure as elementary educators in Virginia.
These courses cover topics such as educational psychology, diversity in the classroom, teaching strategies for mathematics, literacy development, classroom management, and curriculum development.
• Clinical Experiences: Throughout the program, students participate in various clinical experiences, providing them with opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world classrooms.
These experiences range from observations and participation to full-time teaching placements, allowing students to gain valuable experience working with students of diverse backgrounds and learning styles.
• Student Teaching: The program culminates in a semester-long student teaching experience, where students take on the full responsibility of a classroom under the guidance of a cooperating teacher and a college supervisor.
This immersive experience allows them to refine their teaching skills, develop their classroom management strategies, and gain confidence as future educators.

Assessment:

• Coursework: Students' understanding of the program's content is assessed through various methods, including examinations, assignments, projects, and presentations.
These assessments allow faculty to evaluate students' knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations.
• Clinical Experiences: Supervisors assess students' performance during clinical experiences based on their ability to plan and deliver effective lessons, manage the classroom environment, interact with students, and demonstrate professionalism.
• Student Teaching: Student teaching performance is evaluated by the cooperating teacher and the college supervisor based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including lesson planning, classroom management, instructional delivery, student engagement, and professional conduct.
• Standardized Tests: Students must pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), Praxis Elementary test, and Praxis Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE) to be eligible for licensure in Virginia.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program emphasizes active learning, engaging students in discussions, hands-on activities, and collaborative projects.
Faculty utilize a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and technology-enhanced learning activities, to cater to diverse learning styles and ensure comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
• Faculty: The program boasts a dedicated faculty of experienced educators with expertise in various areas of elementary education.
The faculty are committed to providing personalized attention and mentorship to students, fostering a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring their interests.
• Clinical partnerships:
Partnerships with local schools provide students with valuable opportunities to gain practical experience in diverse classroom settings.
• Technology integration: The program emphasizes the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning, equipping graduates with the skills to integrate technology effectively into their future classrooms.
• Focus on diversity: The program recognizes the importance of preparing educators to work with students from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Courses and clinical experiences emphasize culturally responsive teaching practices and strategies for supporting students with special needs.
• Field-based experiences: Students engage in hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom, including field trips, community service projects, and participation in professional conferences.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the program are prepared for a variety of rewarding careers in elementary education, including:
• Elementary school teacher
• Special education teacher
• Reading specialist
• Curriculum developer
• Educational consultant
• School administrator
• Opportunities: Bridgewater College graduates are highly sought-after by schools across Virginia and beyond due to the program's reputation for producing well-prepared and dedicated educators.
The program provides graduates with the skills and knowledge to thrive in diverse educational settings and make a lasting impact on the lives of young learners.
• Outcomes: The program boasts a high就職率, with graduates consistently securing teaching positions in their desired locations.
Additionally, the program's graduates consistently perform well on state licensure exams, demonstrating their comprehensive understanding of the essential knowledge and skills required for effective teaching.

Other:

• Liberal Studies Major: Students in the Elementary Teacher Education Program major in Liberal Studies, which provides a broad foundation in various academic disciplines, preparing them to teach a wide range of subjects in the elementary classroom.
• Clinical Experiences Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 150 hours of clinical experience in PreK-6 classrooms before their student teaching semester.
These experiences provide them with ample opportunities to observe experienced educators, practice their teaching skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
• Reciprocity for Licensure: Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure in Virginia and many other states through reciprocal certification agreements.
This allows graduates to pursue teaching careers across the country.
• Financial Aid: Bridgewater College offers various financial aid options for students in the Elementary Teacher Education Program, including scholarships, grants, and loans.
These resources help students manage the cost of their education and make their dream of becoming an educator a reality.