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Secondary Teacher Education (STEP)
The Secondary Teacher Education (STEP) program of study prepares
prospective and practicing middle and high school teachers for
leadership roles in schools and other educational institutions.
Several important features and underlying assumptions characterize
the STEP program of study:
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Students are expected to have or to develop a
firm foundation of content knowledge in the subject areas of
English, History and Social Studies, Mathematics, or Science.
The program of study strives to develop and transform that content
knowledge into effective and relevant pedagogical approaches.
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Faculty seeks to develop dialogue and connections
among faculty and students concerning the major issues facing
schooling in the United States, including the issue of equity
in schooling. Our goal is to raise awareness of issues of equity
and then work with educators to develop principles and methods
to enable all students to reach their full potential.
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Faculty believes that becoming a teacher is a
process of intellectual and emotional development. The program
of study blends academic study in a discipline with professional
preparation in education that includes applied work in schools
and clinical settings prior to student teaching.
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Faculty explores teaching and learning from a
constructivist perspective, believing that people learn effectively
when they can integrate new knowledge into what they already
know and understand. Teacher certification candidates work to
reconstruct their past experiences, construct new knowledge,
and become active, responsible, and collaborative participants
in a community of learners and teachers.
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Faculty collaborates with a network of teachers
in urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the Pioneer
Valley and Massachusetts in clinical sites and other schools
that welcome our student teachers and provide them opportunities
to explore and develop as educators.
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The licensure component of the STEP program of
study has been approved by the National Council for Accreditation
of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Department of Education
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
For information on degree/licensure programs and projects affiliated
with the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), please click
on the following:
Desired Master of Education Student Characteristics
Criteria for admission to the Secondary Teacher Education program
of study are: strong
subject matter background; strong commitment to learning; interest
in and respect for adolescents; interest in and respect for diversity
and a commitment to work towards equity through work in the schools;
potential for leadership through schools; and compatibility with
mission and goals of the program of study.
Contact Information
Coordinator: Robert W. Maloy (Lecturer)
Associated Faculty: Allan
Feldman (Professor), John
Francisco (Assistant Professor), Kathleen
Gagne (Lecturer), Barbara
Madeloni (Lecturer), Christina
Ortmeier-Hooper (Assistant Professor), Martha
Ryan (Lecturer).
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