Education

Professors Fennell, Kerby, D. Miller, Reiff, and Zirpoli; Associate Professors Craig, Laird, K’Olewe, Medina, Orza, Rust, Schlossberg, and Trader (Department Chair); Visiting Instructor Rose; Senior Lecturer Reichelt; Coordinator of Field Placement Travetto.

Areas of particular teaching interest: Professor Fennell: elementary and middle school mathematics, curriculum, and assessment; Professor Reiff: exceptional children; Professor Zirpoli: behavior management, Target Community and Educational Services, Inc.; Professor Kerby: media/library science, young adult non-fiction; Professor K’Olewe: curriculum and instruction, teaching in secondary schools; Professor Miller: reading assessment and instruction, reading difficulties–prevention, intervention, and remediation; Professor Orza: counseling psychology, empathy and counselor education; Professor Rust: Deaf education/ ASL and Deaf Studies; Professor Schlossberg: counseling psychology; Professor Craig: reading assessment and instruction, reading difficulties – prevention, intervention, and remediation; Professor Laird: ASL specialist, ASL and Deaf Studies counseling; Professor Medina: psychological foundations of education, diversity, special education; Professor Rose: ASL and Deaf Studies, Language of ASL; Professor Reichelt: counseling and family systems; Professor Trader: educational policy, curriculum and instruction; Dr. Travetto: Professional Development Schools, field placement, counseling, physical education.

Education Minor Program Requirements

McDaniel College, accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), has provided programs for teacher preparation and certification for over 110 years. Although the College has never had a major in education, it does offer minors in elementary, secondary, and PreK12 education. Students who complete the minor in elementary education, secondary education, or PreK12 art, music, or physical education are eligible for initial teacher certification in the State of Maryland (and the more than 45 states involved in the Interstate Reciprocity Agreement) in either elementary (grades 1-6), secondary (grades 7-12), or PreK12 art, music, or physical education. All of the teacher education programs are fully approved and accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education. Note that course requirements for the education minor are subject to change in order to reflect Maryland State Department of Education certification regulations and accreditation requirements.

The Education faculty are committed to the department mission “to prepare knowledgeable, caring, reflective practitioners to facilitate learning for all students in a diverse and technological society.” Students preparing to teach at the secondary level (middle or high school) select a major in their field such as Biology, English, Music, etc.; students desiring certification to teach at the elementary level (grades 1-6) may select any major, usually one which supports the field such as Communication, English, History, Mathematics, Sociology, or Psychology. Students receive certification in elementary education or the following secondary education fields: biology, chemistry, English, French, German, mathematics, physics, social studies, or Spanish. Students may also receive PreK-12 certification in the following fields: Art, Instrumental or Vocal Music, or Physical Education.

McDaniel College also offers a five-year bridging certification program in Music. Students who complete the Music five-year program graduate with a B.A. in their content area (music), certification in PreK12th music, and a Master’s of Science degree in their fifth year. McDaniel College is currently one of two colleges in the state of Maryland that offer a unique five-year bridging dual certification program in secondary general education and secondary special education. Students who complete the dual certification five-year program graduate with a B.A. in their content area (math, English, etc.), secondary teacher certification in that area (math, English, etc. in grades 7-12), a Master’s degree in Special Education, and certification in secondary special education (grades 6-12).

The Professional Year

Each student is required to complete his/her final two internships over two consecutive semesters in a Professional Development School (PDS). This state requirement consists of a minimum of 100 days over two consecutive semesters. Students must take their final methods course the semester prior to the semester they intend to complete a 12-credit student teaching internship. During the student teaching semester, elementary education students complete 12 credits of student teaching at the primary or intermediate grade levels. Secondary education students complete 12 credits of student teaching at the middle and high school levels. PK12 certification students complete 12 credits of student teaching at the elementary and secondary levels.

All coursework should be planned so that one semester of the senior year may be kept entirely free for student teaching.

A long term substitute assignment or teaching on a provisional certificate will not fulfill this requirement of the student teaching internship.

Consideration for an extension to complete certification coursework:

The intent of providing an opportunity for completion of certification course work beyond graduation is to give students additional time in the event of unforeseen circumstances or personal issues. Consideration for this extension is at the discretion of the Education department. The following must be met:

The student must have been admitted to the education minor prior to the beginning of the second semester, junior year, and
The student must be in good standing with regard to eligibility to student teach or program completion.
Students have 2 years after graduation to complete certification requirements.

If interested in education, make advisory contact with any of the following faculty members during the first semester you are on campus:

Elementary Education: Dr. Francis Fennell, Professor; Dr. Sharon Craig, Associate Professor, or Dr. Janet Medina, Associate Professor

Secondary or PK12 Education: Dr. Ochieng’ K’Olewe, Associate Professor; or Dr. Janet Medina, Associate Professor

Five-year bridging dual certification program in general secondary education and secondary special education: Dr. Janet Medina, Associate Professor

Five-year bridging program in music education: Dr. Janet Medina, Associate Professor

Transfer students must seek and consult with Dr. Janet Medina in the education department during their first months on campus to determine eligibility for admission into the minor.

Education Minor Requirements:

Secure an Education Department advisor.
Plan to complete a major in a field offering content appropriate for a minor in education. See the various department headings in this catalog.
Present passing PRAXIS I scores in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, a minimum SAT score of 1100 (1000 prior to 1995), or a minimum ACT score of 24 prior to the spring semester of the sophomore year.
Expect to spend at least 2 to 2.5 hours, twice a week in a school-based internship during semesters in which you are completing Education courses, except EDU 1141.
Complete all McDaniel Plan requirements prior to the student teaching semester.
Meet the following program requirements:
1. To be formally admitted into the Education minor, students must complete EDU 1141 and EDU 2240 and EDU 2140 (secondary and PK12 education) or EDU 2015 and EDU 2115 (elementary education) with a grade of “C” or better, present acceptable Praxis I (tests in reading, writing and mathematics), SAT, or ACT scores, and complete a candidacy application. PRAXIS I scores or their equivalent must be submitted to the education department by January 1 prior to the spring semester or August 1 prior to the fall semester. Note that EDU 1141 should be completed in the spring of the first year or the fall of the sophomore year. Students must have sophomore standing to enroll in EDU 2240 or EDU 2015. Note that EDU 1141 is a prerequisite for EDU 2240 or EDU 2015.
2. In order to enroll for any EDU 3000-level courses, students must be formally admitted to the education minor.
3. Candidates for the education minor must complete an approved education Jan Term internship in an ethnically diverse classroom setting.
4. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all EDU prefix courses and all other certification requirement courses. Note: students who earn a C- or lower in any course required for certification must repeat the course in order to continue in the minor.
5. All students are required to have a criminal background record check through fingerprinting and disclosures prior to any school-based internship. Notification disclosures must come directly to McDaniel College, Education Department. All notifications will be reviewed by the department as a condition of participating in a school-based internship.
6. A formal application, interview, and minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major and overall are required for admission to the student teaching semester. All student teaching placements will be in a Professional Development School (PDS).
7. Passing scores on the Praxis II, attendance at all student teaching seminars and the successful completion and presentation of a final standards-based portfolio are the culminating activities required for eligibility for Maryland teacher certification.
8. Candidates seeking certification in French, German, or Spanish must pass the Oral Proficiency Inventory (OPI) at the Advanced-Low level or above prior to admission to the student teaching semester.