Education

Faculty

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

The Education Department welcomes students who have the passion to teach and make a difference in children’s lives. Students can major in Art Education, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education. Student who successfully complete one of these programs are recommended for licensure by the Vermont Agency of Education. This licensure is accepted by many other states which have reciprocal agreements with Vermont. In addition, the Education Department offers an Education Minor for students who wish to gain knowledge and skills to apply a liberal studies experience to real-world situations.

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, mathematics, physics, science, social studies, and Spanish. The art licensure program is for grades PK-12, PK-6, or 7-12.

All programs are characterized by courses that demand a high degree of student commitment to academic performance, children and adolescents, and our partner schools. All Education majors are required to have an overall 3.0 average, a 3.0 average 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. When planning their program, students need to consult The Guide to Teacher Education Programs which include other licensure requirements such as the licensure portfolio.

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.