There are approximately 325 matriculated students in the Elementary Education program at York College. The full-time Department of Education faculty who instruct and advise these students consist of: Dr. Stacey Dammann, Dr. Anthony Fredericks, Dr. Brian Glandon, Dr. Michael McGough, Dr. Philip Monteith, and Dr. Deborah Watkins.
Students entering York College of Pennsylvania interested in Elementary Education begin as elementary education majors*. During the first several semesters, students work toward PreProfessional Educator Status (PPES). Once PPES has been achieved, students officially become PreProfessional Educators in the Department of Education. At that time, the student is eligible to take advanced education classes. [*The campus computer tracking system places an asterisk (*) by the student's name indicating that he/she is not eligible to take advanced education classes until achieving PPES status.]
Almost immediately, students pursuing teacher certification in Elementary Education enter into a program known as Field Experience, which culminates in a 12-week Student Teaching program in one of 46 surrounding school districts.
Prospective candidates to certification programs who have not demonstrated the requisites and/or potential for progressing successfully toward becoming teachers are counseled at this point in the program to consider other academic majors or to proceed with the required courses leading to a baccalaureate degree in education without certification; thus pursuing a teaching role in working environments other than elementary classrooms.
To assist students in making the decision to continue toward teacher certification or not, all declared teacher education majors will be provided with the Department of Education's Statement of Belief. Between students' sophomore and senior years in the teacher education program, teacher education faculty observe candidates carefully as they progress in the program and bring to the attention of the Chair any individual or individuals for whom there is concern or counsel needed. Monthly Round Table meetings are scheduled where these students are invited to meet with Department of Education faculty. At Round Table sessions, counsel is provided to students and candid discussion is made of any concerns expressed by members of the Department.
Thus, for all Elementary Education majors, Department of Education faculty strive to invite students to reflect upon the appropriateness of their choice to pursue teaching as a career. In addition, we look closely at the evidence students provide us as to what degree of match there is between the student and the model of the practicing teacher we subscribe to and wish to graduate from teacher-education programs at York College.
View the Course Requirements for Elementary Education Majors.