Program Director: Jen Powers, Ph.D.
Division of Humanities, Education, & Arts
Programs offered:
BS in Elementary Education
BA in Art with preK-12 Teacher Licensure
BA in Social Studies with 7-12 Teacher Licensure
BA in English with 7-12 Teacher Licensure
BS in Biology with 7-12 Teacher Licensure
Minor in Education (Not a licensure program)
Minor in Environmental Education (Not a licensure program)
Approximately 60 candidates are enrolled in Green Mountain College’s Education programs leading to licensure in elementary education, elementary education with special education endorsement, preK-12 Art education, secondary English education, secondary Biology/Science education, or secondary Social Studies education. All programs are accredited by the State of Vermont. Vermont licenses are automatically transferable to more than 40 other states through reciprocity agreements. Details on reciprocity may be found at http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/licensing/forms/reciprocity.html
Green Mountain Education candidates spend a minimum of 100 hours in field experiences and methods courses working in area schools, plus 600 hours student teaching, with at least one faculty supervisor for every five student teachers. The Green Mountain College Education Program seeks to give its candidates as wide a variety as possible of field experiences and background knowledge and skills to prepare them for working with students in settings that include private schools, public schools, museums, parks, daycare centers, private tutoring, and more.
Though most Green Mountain College Education candidates fulfill the requirements to be eligible for teaching licensure, some candidates choose to pursue a degree in Education but not licensure. To that end, the College offers a choice of two different tracks that will allow candidates to choose the path that meets their needs:
Licensure Track: These candidates fulfill all of the course requirements of the Elementary Education degree including application to, and completion of, student teaching, the route to earning a degree in Elementary Education and a licence to teach under Vermont state requirements. They must also meet all Praxis requirements for their endorsement area(s).
Candidates must declare Licensure Track prior to application to student teach, and meet GPA requirements before being placed in student teaching.
A candidate who does not meet the State of Vermont requirements for licensure may still obtain a B.S. in Elementary Education from Green Mountain College providing the candidate meets all requirements for the major except passing EDU 1200 and student teaching and makes up student teaching credits following the requirements for the Degree Track.
Degree Track: Candidates opting to take the Degree Track take the required courses for the Elementary Education degree. These students do not student teach, but instead choose 12 credits from a suite of Education courses designed to supplement their educational focus. Degree Track candidates will graduate from GMC with a B.S. in Elementary Education, without licensing to teach. Students will choose 12 credits of any EDU course at the 3000-4000 level.
Learning Outcomes for Education Candidates:
Specific competencies can be found at the Vermont Department of Education’s Five Standards for Vermont Educators. The Five Standards incorporate skills, knowledge, and habits under the headings:
Learning (content expertise)
Professional Knowledge (methodology and pedagogy)
Colleagueship
Advocacy
Accountability
See http://education.vermont.gov/ for more information on Vermont’s licensing standards.
The GMC Education Program draws from the Vermont Department of Education’s Sixteen Principles for Professional Educators (pertaining to the Knowledge and Performance Standards for each endorsement area) with regards to candidates’ Learning Outcomes:
The GMC Education Candidate:
has knowledge and skills in the content of his or her endorsement(s) at a level that enables students to meet or exceed the standards represented in the Fields of Knowledge, the Vital Results of Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities, and/or the Common Core Standards.
understands how individuals learn and grow and provides learning opportunities that support intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development.
understands how individuals and groups differ and creates equitable instructional opportunities that respond to the needs of all students.
understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to provide opportunities for all students to meet or exceed the expectations in Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities.
creates a classroom climate that encourages respect for self and others, positive social interaction, and personal health and safety.
implements, adapts, revises, and, when necessary, creates curriculum based on standards, knowledge of subject matter, and student needs and interests.
uses multiple assessment strategies to evaluate student growth and modify instruction.
integrates students with disabilities into appropriate learning situations.
integrates current technologies in instruction, assessment, and professional productivity.
understands conditions and actions which would tend to discriminate against students on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, age, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin, and takes proactive steps to address discrimination.
works as a team member and establishes collaborative relationships with school colleagues, parents, agencies and others in the broader community to support students’ learning and well-being, and to implement the school’s goals and articulated curriculum.
recognizes the multiple influences on students inside and outside the school and accesses appropriate systems of support for students.
understands laws related to student and educator rights and responsibilities, and applies current state and federal laws and regulations as they pertain to all children, including those who are at risk and those with disabilities, and treats students and colleagues fairly and equitably.
grows professionally, through a variety of approaches, to improve professional practice and student learning.
assesses student progress in relation to standards and modifies curricula and instruction, as necessary, to improve student learning.
maintains useful records of student work and performance and knowledgeably, responsibly, and effectively communicates student progress in relation to standards in a manner easily understood.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
Elementary Education:
In order to be recommended for licensure, a student must have achieved a GPA of 3.0 in Education courses and a 2.7 overall prior to student teaching, and must receive a grade of B or better for student teaching.
Secondary Education:
In order to be recommended for licensure, a student must have achieved a 3.0 GPA in Education courses, have a 3.0 GPA in subject major courses, have a 3.0 average overall, and receive a grade of B or better for student teaching.
Art K-12 Education:
In order to be recommended for licensure, a student must have achieved a 3.0 GPA in Education courses, have a 3.0 GPA in subject major courses, have a 3.0 average overall, and receive a grade of B or better for student teaching.
Praxis
In order to student teach and be eligible for licensure, candidates must pass the Praxis I test and the appropriate Praxis II subject matter test(s). Information on arranging to take the Praxis is available at http://www.ets.org/. To help prepare students to pass Praxis, all education candidates are required to take EDU 1200 (recommended during spring semester freshman year or fall of sophomore year) unless exempt from Praxis I. The course is a zero credit test preparation course that includes a lab fee covering the cost of the Praxis I exam. At the conclusion of the course, candidates will take Praxis I. (see course description for more detail.) You are exempt from Praxis I if you scored > 1100 on the SAT with a score of 500 or better in both math and verbal OR if your ACT score > 22 on verbal and math. Praxis II preparation is addressed in each of the endorsement area Methods courses.
Admission to Student Teaching:
Prior to being allowed to student teach, candidates will:
Have senior standing.
Complete all required education courses.
Meet GPA requirements (see above).
Be able to complete all course work in the major within one semester.
Be recommended by faculty in both the major/concentration and Education.
Pass Praxis I and Praxis II.
Complete an application to student teach by the required deadline.
To be recommended for licensure, candidates must:
Receive a grade of B or better in student teaching and student teaching seminar.
Complete all college graduation requirements.
Complete all content area requirements.
Complete all education requirements.
Receive a grade of pass on a licensure portfolio that demonstrates competency with the standards established by the State of Vermont as well as effective application of course work during student teaching.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
This program prepares candidates for elementary school teaching. Each candidate works closely with a faculty advisor to develop a planned program of study that will focus on the individual goals of the candidate while meeting all requirements for graduation and Vermont licensure. Each candidate is required to complete field work, methodology, and theory courses in a carefully planned sequence in preparation for teacher licensure. During senior year candidates complete fifteen weeks of full-time student teaching at the elementary level. All student teaching must be done in the immediate area of the College. See eligibility requirements under Early Field Experience (EDU 2000), Observation Practicum (EDU 3100), Student Teaching (EDU 4085) and Student Teaching Seminar (EDU 4086).
Requirements for a B.S. in Elementary Education: Licensure Track
Education Courses:
| EDU 1062: Teacher as Decision Maker EDU 1200: Praxis (unless exempt) EDU 2019: The Exceptional Child EDU 4031: Assessment & Management of Behavior EDU 2000: Field Experience EDU 2021: Language and Literacy I EDU 3070: Social Studies Methods EDU 3100: Observation Practicum EDU 3032: Language and Literacy II EDU 3071: Math Methods EDU 3072: Science Methods PSY 2041: Human Development I EDU 4085: Student Teaching EDU 4086: Student Teaching Seminar Choose one of the following two courses: EDU/PHI 3013: Philosophy of Education EDU/HIS 3015: History of Education |
3 0 3 3 1 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 9 3 3 Education credits: 47 |
Writing & English
Art
The Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Geology)
Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology
History
Philosophy
ELA core courses that count toward LAC:
| ELA 1500: VC Writing Seminar (Writing & English) ELA 2000: Dimensions of Nature (Philosophy, The Sciences) |
3 3 Total credits in LAC: 30 |
Secondary Education
Green Mountain College offers programs leading to secondary licensure (grades 7-12) in English, Social Studies, and Biology. Candidates in these programs complete a major in the relevant discipline (English, History, Biology) along with a sequence of education courses and field experiences toward secondary licensure. Secondary Education is not a major by itself. More details about the requirements for each program area can be found under that program’s listings in this catalog.
Education Requirements for Secondary Education:
Education Core:
| EDU 1062: Teacher As Decision-Maker EDU 1200: Praxis (unless exempt) EDU 2018: Developmental Psychology II EDU 2019: The Exceptional Child EDU 2000: Field Experience EDU 3100: Observation Practicum EDU 2031: Secondary Education Methods I EDU/PSY 4031: Assessment and Management of Behavior EDU 4081*: Secondary Education Methods, History and English EDU 4085: Student Teaching EDU 4086: Student Teaching Seminar Choose one of the following two courses: EDU/PHI 3013: Philosophy of Education EDU/HIS 3015: History of Education |
3 0 3 3 1 4 3 3 4 9 3 3 |
PreK-12 Art Education: Licensure Track
Green Mountain College offers a program leading to licensure in Art PreK-12. Students in this program complete a major in Art along with a sequence of education courses and field experiences. More detail about all of the requirements for Art PreK-12 can be found under that program’s listings in this catalog.
Education Requirements for Art PreK-12 Education Licensure
Education Core:
| EDU 1062: Teacher As Decision-Maker EDU 1200: Praxis (unless exempt) PSY 2041: Human Development I EDU 2018: Developmental Psychology II EDU 2019: The Exceptional Child EDU 2000: Field Experience EDU 3100: Observation Practicum EDU 2031: Secondary Methods I EDU 4082: Art Methods EDU/PSY 4031: Assessment and Management of Behavior EDU 4085: Student Teaching EDU 4086: Student Teaching Seminar Choose one of the following two courses: EDU/PHI 3013: Philosophy of Education EDU/HIS 3015: History of Education |
3 0 3 3 3 1 4 3 3 3 9 3 3 |
Environmental Education Minor
The Environmental Education minor is available to all GMC students. To fulfill the requirements, students must take a total of 18 credits including nine credits of required fundamental courses and nine credits of electives chosen from the list below. NOTE: Environmental Education is NOT a licensure program.
Fundamental Courses Required:
| EDU 1000: Intro. To Environmental Education EDU/CMJ 3012: Environmental Interpretation & Communication EDU 3014: Environmental Education: Place-based Education |
3 3 3 Credits: 9 |
| BIO 2025: Ecology COM 3025: Environmental Communication EDU 3013: Philosophy of Education EDU 3015: History of Education EDU 4053: Environmental Education Practicum ELA 2027: Conservation Psychology BIO 3011: Special Topics in Biology BIO 3021: Conservation Biology BIO 3025: Advanced Topics in Ecology SFS 3054: Sustainable Farming Systems SFS 3057: Advanced Topics in Sustainable Agriculture SFS 4054: Agroecology |
Credits: 9 |
Education Minor
The Education minor is available to all GMC students. It provides a broad orientation to the discipline with the opportunity of pursuing a variety of required and elective courses to deepen the student’s interest and background in the field. Students who wish to minor in Education should contact the Program Director.
Education Core
| EDU 1062: Teacher As Decision-Maker EDU 2000: Early Field Experience Choose one from the following courses: PHI 3013: Philosophy of Education EDU 3015: History of Education Choose one from the following three courses: PSY 2041: Human Development I EDU 2018: Developmental Psychology II EDU 2019: The Exceptional Child |
3 1 3 3 Credits: 10 |