Education

Faculty

Chair: Associate Professor Jonathan Silverman
Professors: Aostre Johnson, Mary Beth Doyle
Associate Professors: Valerie Bang-Jensen, Claudine Bedell, Kristin Gehsmann, James Nagle, Timothy Whiteford
Assistant Professor: Amy Saks-Pavese
Instructors: Anne Judson, Beth Peterson, Becky Wigglesworth, Brian O’Regan

The Education Department welcomes students who have the passion to teach and make a difference in children’s lives! The department oversees several undergraduate programs including licensure in many areas, as well as an art education major, elementary education major, and secondary education major. Students who successfully complete one of these programs are granted licensure by the State of Vermont. This license is accepted by many other states which have reciprocal agreements with the State of Vermont.

In order to be eligible for art education, elementary (K-6), middle level (5-9), or secondary (7-12) licensure as a teacher, a student must complete a major in one of the liberal arts or sciences at Saint Michael’s College. Teacher education courses will be taken simultaneously with courses in the liberal arts and sciences. Usually, a student will be able to complete the major and teacher licensure requirements in a four-year span. Students who wish to be licensed at the middle level or secondary level may do so in one of the following academic areas: biology, chemistry, English, French, Latin, mathematics, physics, science, social studies, and Spanish. The art licensure program can be for grades PK-12.

All programs are characterized by courses that demand a high degree of student commitment to the Saint Michael’s college education programs academic performance, children and adolescents, and our partner schools. Elementary Education majors are required to have an overall 3.0 average, a 2.7 average in their liberal arts major, and a 3.0 average in required education courses. Secondary Education and Art Education majors are required to have an overall 3.0 average, a 3.0 in their liberal arts major, and a 3.0 average in required education courses before student teaching and at graduation. In addition, all students must pass Praxis I and Praxis II before student teaching. Other licensure requirements, such as the licensure portfolio, are articulated in the Saint Michael’s College Guide to Teacher Education Programs. If a student (a) does not meet the requirements for student teaching or (b) does not pass student teaching, but has completed at least 5 education courses, then the student is eligible to receive an education minor. It is the responsibility of the student to make this request to the Chair of the Education Department. Students need to consult the Guide to Teacher Education Programs when planning their program.

According to Federal Title II mandates, Saint Michael’s College must publish the percentage of those students who are recommended for licensure. To be recommended for licensure, students must successfully complete our programs by meeting all GPA, course, portfolio, and testing requirements. Based on those criteria, we have recommended 100 percent of our program completers for licensure.

Students may take advantage of study abroad opportunities to satisfy some program requirements. Consult the Study Abroad Office and the Guide to Teacher Education Programs for more information.