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Teachers make collective and individual decisions about life in classrooms in order to help students to develop as active, knowledgeable citizens of a multicultural world. These decisions are based on teachers' understandings of themselves, their students, human development and diversity, subject matter, educational theory, curricular design, instructional method, federal, state and institutional regulations, and political, social and moral relationships between education and community and world affairs. Teachers develop their understanding continuously through systematic intensive inquiry into these matters involving problem posing, data gathering through educational literature, product analysis, observation and discussion, probing, the historical conditions which yielded the present circumstances surrounding these matters, and acting on this new knowledge. That is, teachers demonstrate the power of education for their students and society by constructing reflective practice from the intellectual and practical sides of their responsibilities in and out of schools.
Penn State undergraduate teacher education programs are designed to provide students with experiences necessary to become certified teachers of elementary education. Each program specifies entrance criteria and requires 45 credits of directed general education study to begin the lifelong inquiry into subject area knowledge, followed by professional course work and various field experiences including student teaching. Students gain additional practical experience with children through volunteer activities or part-time employment in related areas as well as through the required courses. Upon successful completion of all requirements for graduation, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree. To be certified to teach, students must also meet any test and clearance requirements as specified by The Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The teacher certification program in Childhood and Early Adolescent Education is extended from Penn State's College of Education to the Abington College. The PK – 4 teaching option in the Childhood and Early Adolescent Education major was developed using guidelines recommended by the National Association for Education of Young Children, as well as standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to support the growth and content understanding beginning with the youngest learners and continuing into the fourth grade.
See the “Degree Overview” page for more information about entrance to major requirements.
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Contact: Dr. Gary Calore, 215-881-7591
