Students will identify, explore, and discuss education's defining issues and the complex context of the American education system. They will examine the foundations of American education to provide context for current issues including federal, state, and local policy contexts and the legal status of teachers and students. This course addresses the professional studies requirements for Foundations of Education and the Teaching Profession.

This course will support students' transition through university life through the infusion of academic and personal development. Through exploration of concepts including personal asset reflection, opportunity and career development, collaboration with others, social-emotional learning, and strategies for academic coursework, you will be empowered to identify and practice the college- and career-readiness skills essential for long-term success.

Ever wonder why concepts are taught over and over and are still difficult to explain? This course explores misconceptions commonly learned in K-12 math, science, humanities, and social sciences. We investigate these ideas through the lens of students own experiences and what is known about how people learn. This course builds understanding of best practices in teaching and assessment through reading, discussion, reflection, and presentation.

Provides students an understanding of the basic principles of human behavior and the application of those principles to teaching, positive behavior support, and the design of effective classrooms communities. Prepares teachers to work in multicultural general and special education settings with children of all ages from various background. Responsive approaches will value diversity, address issues of equity, and teach skills to support inclusion.

Introduction to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Analyzing and modifying curricula to develop high-quality learning experiences. Strategies for creating effective assessments and theoretical underpinnings of assessment decisions. Ways of observing classrooms in light of theoretical principles and practical strategies. Strategies to ensure curricular, instructional, and assessment decisions are responsive to the needs of diverse students.

This course will explore key factors influencing early childhood development, highlighting contextual contributors (such as the role of family, community, culture, childcare/school, and policy) that shape early experiences. This will help you recognize the life-long consequences of contextual influences on young children's development and that multiple leverage points exist for creating a culturally responsive and nurturing environment for all.

Provides an introduction to theoretical foundations of how children learn to read and write as well the difficulties some children encounter as they progress in their literacy development. The course addresses basic components of effective literacy programs and instruction (e.g., concepts of print, fluency, phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, writing, comprehension, vocabulary) with attention to needs of diverse learners.

This one-credit course is for practicing educators and undergraduates wanting to learn about English Learners (Els) in today's classrooms. This course is an introductory-level consideration of the instructional opportunities and challenges presented by ELs. Participants explore their own language-learning as they consider what it means to learn a language. The course has four weeks of content; dates can include an orientation week and work time.

Field-based practicum for preservice teachers seeking initial licensure. Students develop skills in fostering positive professional relationships with students, colleagues, and peers; designing and implementing individual, small group, and whole class instruction; and observing and reflecting on practice. This course meets the guidelines for state-approved teacher education programs in Virginia.

Field-based practicum for preservice teachers seeking initial licensure. Students develop skills in fostering positive professional relationships with students, colleagues, and peers; designing and implementing individual, small group, and whole class instruction; and observing and reflecting on practice. This course meets the guidelines for state-approved teacher education programs in Virginia.