Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

OVERVIEW

As an education student at Saint Joseph’s, you’ll get experience working with teachers and children in the classroom all four years. No waiting until senior year when it’s time to student teach.

The primary goal of Saint Joseph’s education department is to prepare competent teachers. The program operates on the premise that theory becomes internalized when learned in context and applied. This objective is possible because of early, sequential, and extensive field experiences. As a sophomore, you will complete a semester practicum. As a junior, you will complete a full year of internship, followed by student teaching in your senior year.

At a Glance

  • Student-teaching supervisors are well acquainted with students and their teaching styles.
  • Student teaching is done in local schools, allowing for seminars and on-campus opportunities for inquiry.
  • Students work with public school students from the first year they arrive.
  • Methods courses are kept small by design; students have multiple opportunities to practice teaching skills during the semester.
  • Through grants and partnerships, students can work with inner-city children through Project Wet and Project Wild.

CURRICULUM

The elementary education major at Saint Joseph’s College is a Maine-approved program comprised of liberal studies, education methodology, and a continuum of field experiences.

Students complete a concentration in English, math, science, history, or special education. This concentration consists of six courses and leads to “highly qualified” status for certification in a subject area, in addition to a “highly qualified” status in elementary education. Students need to pass the Praxis series (I and II), which is required for state certification in elementary and secondary education. All students in education programs must pass Praxis I prior to senior student teaching. Students wishing to teach at the middle school and high school levels can choose from biology, physical sciences, math, history, or English.

Hands-On Experiences: What to Expect

Freshman Year
You will have the opportunity to work in a local school district providing reading activities to students needing extra support.

Sophomore Year
You’ll have a full-semester practicum. You’ll observe, write reflective journals, and work with small groups of students.

Junior Year
You’ll have two teaching internships for two days a week for the entire year. In your first semester, you’ll take part in K-3 experience and during the second semester, a 4-8 experience. You’ll write lesson plans and teach.

Senior Year
You’ll spend an entire semester student teaching, giving you a full-time, intensive experience in the classroom. Our professors will supervise you in the classroom, and will run seminars once a week to debrief and discuss your experiences.

View Course Catalog
Meet Our Faculty

SOME OF OUR FACULTY

Kathleen Clements
Kathleen ClementsAssistant Professor of Education, Chair of Education, Director of Teacher Education
EdD, Northcentral University, Arizona
MS, University of Houston, Clear Lake
BA, Boston College

Learn more about Kassy

Joan Flagg-Williams
Joan Flagg-WilliamsAssociate Professor of Education
PhD, University of Connecticut
MEd, University of New Hampshire
BA, Goucher College

Learn more about Joan

Patricia Waters
Patricia WatersAssistant Professor of Education
PhD, University of Rochester
MS, Pace University
BA, University of Rochester

Learn more about Patricia

STUDENT STORIES

Autumn Zubricki

“It’s four hours a week, twice a week, so it’s great. I am really getting to know all the kids. At the heart of it, I always knew I just wanted to be with, and help, kids.” — Autumn ’18 education student, about her internship experience at a local school.

Joey Doane

Joey Doane ’15 interned during his junior year at a local middle school, where he incorporated what he learned in his education courses to this real-life setting.

Rachel Pelletier

“The thing I like most about teaching is the relationships…it’s special to me to make those relationships with the kids and to be a positive influence in their lives.” — Rachel ’16, 4th grade teacher

CAREER MOVES

Although most students deciding to major in education will choose to become teachers, other career options exist as well.

RELATED PROGRAMS

  • Margaret stands in front of Xavier Hall.

Moon Landing, Flower Power, and Women’s Rights

Margaret Morrissette LeTourneau ’70 attended Saint Joseph's during a time of change. By the late ’60s activism related to women’s rights, the Vietnam War, and racial desegregation swept across the nation. In Standish, the Great Debate came: should the College go co-ed?

Following in the Footsteps of Catherine McAuley

Education majors convened at the Saint Joseph’s College grotto on a sunny Thursday, September 13th to attend the annual Junior Education Ceremony. This event honored the nearly twenty students from the Class of 2020 who will soon begin their teaching internships.

Habit of Giving

Autumn Zubricki ’18, a second-generation Saint Joseph’s College student, plans to be an elementary education teacher. She’s already in the habit of giving back to the College. By Ann Swardlick When you grow up in [...]