Elementary Education BS

The Teacher Education and Certification Program at Ramapo College of New Jersey is offered through the School of Arts, Humanities, and Education, which is fully certified by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Ramapo program is approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education (NJDOE) under the standards established by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. Teacher preparation candidates are prepared to become student-oriented teachers who design high-quality learning activities to meet a broad spectrum of learning styles and learning needs.

The Teacher Education Program at Ramapo College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Ramapo College is located ideally for access to field experience opportunities. Many outstanding urban, suburban, and rural school districts are within a reasonable distance from the college and are most generous in their efforts to support high standards in teacher preparation.

The Teacher Education Program consists of distinct course-affiliated clinical experience and clinical practice hours in a variety of school settings. The final year of the Teacher Education Program is a modified cohort model which requires co-requisite methods courses in the Fall and a Clinical Practice Capstone (student teaching) in the Spring, along with over 700 hours of clinical practice.

Goal Area 1 – Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches, particularly as they relate to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

Outcome 1: Ramapo College of NJ program completers understand the content(s) they plan to teach.

Goal Area 2 – Pedagogical Knowledge: The teacher plans and implements instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Outcome 1: Ramapo College of NJ program completers understand pedagogy and can convert content knowledge into compelling lessons that meet the needs of diverse learners.

Students will:

• Demonstrate understanding of developmentally appropriate teaching and learning.

• Collaborate across and within constituencies to ensure teaching and learning outcomes are ongoing, appropriate, and measurable (using various sources).

• Establish inclusive classroom environments that allow for welcoming, effective learning opportunities.

• Use a variety of assessment tools and processes (including reflection) in appropriate ways and for appropriate purposes to ensure student growth., caring, and equitable practices in the context of contemporary education.