BS in Elementary Education

According to Albert Einstein, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” We set as our mission the preparation of teachers who awaken such joy and who care deeply about the education and well-being of all children. At the heart of this mission is a fundamental conception of education in a democratic society that recognizes the worth and freedom of the individual, and that prepares children to work together for the common good through enlightened participation in the civic life of their communities and the nation. As advocates of social justice, our preservice teachers deepen their understanding of how issues such as race, class, gender, culture, and disability affect children academically, socially, and emotionally, regardless of whether they teach in urban or suburban schools, and strive to create culturally responsive classrooms. In addition, our preservice teachers possess not only a demonstrated knowledge of and passion about the subject matter of the elementary curriculum but also bring a high level of content and pedagogical knowledge, translating theory and research into effective practice with the goal of narrowing the achievement gap. Central to achieving pedagogical excellence, our teachers continually reflect on the effectiveness of their teaching which is intricately tied to students’ achievement and love of learning, and appreciate that such reflection results in the never-ending quest for new knowledge and understanding.

The Elementary Education Program prepares teachers to work with children in grades 1–6. Because effective teaching requires extensive knowledge of the subject matter integral to the elementary curriculum and a high level of pedagogical knowledge about the theory and practice of teaching, liberal and professional studies are integrated across four years. Mentored field experiences, which begin with one-day-a-week placements in freshman year and culminate in full-time student teaching in a classroom in Greater Boston, London, or Sydney in senior year, afford preservice teachers the opportunity to design and implement engaging, content-rich units of study and assess children’s learning.

Careful planning allows students to combine this program with others such as special education or bilingual education (English as a second language). However, earning a teaching license in these or other areas may require credits beyond the minimum undergraduate degree requirements.

Undergraduate Professional Coursework

• SED CH 300 Methods of Instruction/Elementary: 1–6
• SED CH 555 Student Teaching Practicum: Elementary: 1–6
• SED ED 100 Introduction to Education
• SED ED 101 Education Lab
• SED ED 225 Project Citizen
• SED ED 410 Social Context of Education
• SED ED 412 Civic Context of Education
• SED HE 221 Foundations of Health Education
• SED LR 501 Teaching of Reading
• SED LR 503 Reading and Writing Assessment
• SED LS 560 Introduction to Language and Language Acquisition
• SED PE 511 Movement Education: Early Childhood to Adolescence
• SED SE 250 Disability, Education, and Public Policy
• SED SE 515 Assessment in Special Education