Offered by the Department of Education and Special Education
Professors Benjamin, Cleland, Straub
Associate Professors Carico (chairperson), Floyd, Hammann, Lucero, Smith, Werner-Burke
Assistant Professors Gambill, Moore, Ribble
The Department of Education and Special Education offers a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Elementary Education with the following two concentrations: Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Early Childhood and Elementary Education with Second Certification in Special Education.
The Elementary Education program provides a foundation in child development and learning, extensive preparation in content subject matter and teaching methodology, and uses of observation and student assessment to guide instructional decision-making. Additional emphases include establishing cooperative relationships with families and communities and developing the important knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are required of early childhood and elementary education professionals. The curriculum prepares graduates to meet the learning needs of all students and to be successful in diverse modern classrooms. Students also learn to adapt and plan instruction that is based on developmentally appropriate practices and to make effective uses of technology to aid teaching and learning.
Both concentrations are nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), 17904 Georgia Ave., Suite 215, Olney, MD 20832, (301) 570-2111 or (800) 423-3563, http://acei.org/. and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 1313 L St., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 232-8777 or (800) 424-2460, http://www.naeyc.org/. The Early Childhood and Elementary Education with Second Certification Special Education also is nationally recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), 2900 Crystal Dr., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22202-3557, (888) 232-7733, http://www.cec.sped.org. All are nationally recognized at the Initial Teacher Preparation Level (ITPL).
Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Elementary Education is to prepare beginning teachers who will enter their classrooms with passion and vitality, equipped with knowledge, skills, and dispositions that will impact student achievement positively and with the ability to make sound decision that will enhance their students’ well-being and enrich their own lives.
Vision
Our vision is that graduates of Mansfield University with an Elementary Education degree will recognize that initial certification provides the credentials and experience to begin teaching and that they will continue to seek opportunities for professional growth: content expertise; knowledge of children’ a growing awareness of global influences and opportunities, and a commitment to keeping their teaching dynamic, passionate, and effective.
The Early Childhood and Elementary Education Concentration features school experiences throughout all four years and in a wide variety of classroom settings, culminating in student teaching. Students also complete an extended pre-student teaching school experience. Graduates of the concentration may pursue teaching or director positions in early childhood preschools and teaching positions in elementary schools from preschool through grade four.
The Early Childhood and Elementary Education with Second Certification in Special Education Concentration prepares students to work with children with exceptional needs. The concentration features all of the courses and experiences of the Early Childhood and Elementary Education Concentration but requires an additional 15 credits of coursework in Special Education and additional field experiences focusing on the special education. Graduates of the concentration may pursue teaching or director positions in early childhood preschools and teaching positions in elementary schools from preschool through grade four, and they are eligible to teach and provide learning support for children with exceptional needs.
The following two concentrations are available in the B.S.Ed., Elementary Education: