Department of Elementary Education

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Chair: Lisa N. Mitchell^{1, 4}

Faculty:  Irene Aiken², Kelly Ficklin³, Valjeaner Ford , Emily R. Long, Claudia Nickolson, David Oxendine, Kayonna Pitchford⁴, Joseph Sciulli, Sara Coble Simmons                                                           

¹Director, Elementary Education Graduate Program
²Dean, School of Graduate Studies

³Coordinator, Elementary Education Undergraduate Program
⁴Director of Instructional Technology, Teacher Education Programs

The Department of Elementary Education offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. The Elementary Education program is one of 12 teacher education programs offered at UNCP. The program is designed to (1) provide experiences for candidates to develop the content knowledge necessary to be a successful teacher in the Kindergarten-Grade 6 learning environment, as noted by the North Carolina Teaching Content Standards; (2) provide candidates with experiences in pedagogical content knowledge, as noted by the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards; and (3) provide experiences whereby candidates develop into professional educators who are committed, collaborative, and competent, as noted in the UNCP School of Education Conceptual Framework.

It is our desire that the Elementary Education graduates will motivate and engage their Kindergarten-Grade 6 students in active learning and that they will inspire them to become lifelong learners. This program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and North Carolina State Board of Education and provides the means for candidates to earn a Standard Professional I license to teach in the state of North Carolina.

At the graduate level, the department offers the M.A.Ed. degree in Elementary Education. The mission of the master’s program in Elementary Education is to prepare the experienced teacher for full participation in the profession as leader, researcher, and master practitioner. The master’s program is designed to promote both teacher autonomy and interdependence through inquiry, reflection, and practice. Teacher educators are encouraged to collaborate on ways to enhance their professional lives, improve learning and well-being of their students, the teaching and learning environments of their schools, and their collaborative relationships with diverse families and communities. The program is offered for practicing teachers who hold a Standard Professional I teaching license. Two years of full-time teaching experience is recommended, but not required.

Each Elementary Education major or licensure candidate is assigned an advisor who helps the student plan and approves his or her program of study. Additional information about the elementary education department is available on the department’s web page, accessible through the School of Education’s website.

Graduate Courses

For complete information about programs and courses leading to the Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.), see The Graduate School  .

Programs

• Elementary Education (K-6), B.S.

Courses

• EDN 2100. Introduction to Education (3 credits)

• ELE 2010. Child Development and Cultural Dynamics (3 credits)
• ELE 2020. Health and Wellness Awareness (3 credits)
• ELE 2030. Arts Integration in the Elementary School (3 credits)
• ELE 2900. Research and Writing in Elementary Education (3 credits)
• ELE 3010. Differentiated Instruction for Today’s Learners (3 credits)
• ELE 3020. Classroom Design and Management (3 credits)
• ELE 3030. Purposeful Assessment for Learning (3 credits)
• ELE 3040. Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School I (3 credits)
• ELE 3050. Literacy and Language Arts: Emergent Readers (3 credits)
• ELE 3060. Literacy and Language Arts: Developing Readers (3 credits)
• ELE 4030. Living in a Global Society (3 credits)
• ELE 4060. Internship in Elementary Education (9 credits)
• ELE 4070. Professional Seminar in Elementary Education (3 credits)
• ELE 4110. Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School II (3 credits)
• ELE 4120. Teaching Science in the Elementary School (3 credits)
• ELE 4150. Literacy and Language Arts: Fluent Readers (3 credits)

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