With this degree, one can become a middle school teacher. In this role, teachers typically educate children in grades 6-9. In some school districts, grade 5 is also considered part of middle school. Middle school teachers’ jobs vary depending upon the course or courses they are teaching.
The Program prepares candidates to teach adolescents in grades 6-9. Using current research and data regarding adolescent learners, candidates will develop the knowledge, skill, and dispositions necessary to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences for middle grades students via the general education curriculum. The Middle Grades Education pre-service candidates will show evidence of skills for leading students towards participation in society and toward careers. The program has been created to help pre-service teachers expand middle grades learner skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem solving using a highly integrated approach to presenting the curriculum objectives. They will develop an awareness and competency in applying basic principles of curriculum planning and implement them according to the diverse needs of students within the middle school setting. Pre-service teachers will participate in a variety of field experiences within the middle school and will habitually reflect on these experiences as a basis for decision-making and professional growth. Candidates will demonstrate the use of technological tools both for planning, instruction, and assessing, as well as the skills of data management.
These future teachers will explore the structure of the school as an institution and will learn skills in professional collaboration and leadership.
