Reich College of Education

Mission Statement

The Elementary Education programt is committed to a rigorous preparation for teachers who will provide significant contributions to the field of education. Faculty and students come together as a community of learners who inquire about and examine the nature of teaching, education, and learning. Teachers must have the ability and commitment to solve problems, make effective decisions, use emerging technologies, and develop alternative strategies for culturally diverse and exceptional students to meet the demands of the 21st century.

Goals

The Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education prepares students to teach in kindergarten through grade six. The program leads to a North Carolina teaching license. The rationale for the program is based on the ongoing need for effective and well-qualified teachers for elementary-age children. The quality of schools and students’ learning are dependent upon the professional knowledge and skills of the teacher. The aims of the program are to produce teachers who are knowledgeable in developmental needs of children, effective teacher/school research findings, elementary school curriculum and pedagogical models and strategies. Elementary Education majors learn decision-making skills for meeting the day-to-day and long-range challenges of the teaching profession. Emphasis is placed on preparing future elementary teachers to meet the needs of all students, including students of diverse backgrounds and with special learning needs. Students in the program are expected to demonstrate:

• Mastery of basic content in several basic disciplines, including communication skills, mathematics and sciences, the social sciences, health education, and applied arts.
• Knowledge of the principles of curriculum and learning theories and understanding of their relationship to instructional programs for children.
• Successful teaching in a variety of learning environments and in the various subject matter areas included in their preparation program.
• Effective instructional practices, including planning, implementing, evaluating, and reflecting.
• Knowledge of contemporary issues and trends in education within a historical, philosophical, and sociological framework.
• An understanding of human growth and development with emphasis on the elementary years.
• Competence with technology as required for licensure.