Schools, and other social institutions strongly influence, impact and police the construction of identity. This course examines the nature of schooling and the socializing power of schools, using gender as its primary lens for analysis and considering how gender interacts with other facets of identity including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Through readings, writing, discussion, and time spent in schools, students examine the hidden and official curriculum schools use to teach about gender identity and norms. Successful completion of this course requires a commitment to spend 10 hours outside of class volunteering in a school or a youth-serving community organization.
Teaching students to read is a fundamental task of teachers in every class and grade level. This course examines the nature of reading and provides an introduction to well balanced reading instruction in grades K-12. Through readings, writing, discussion, and time spent in schools, students are introduced to the nature of reading, how young people learn to read, and instruction that fosters lasting literacy. Successful completion of this course requires a commitment to spend regular time in schools, participating in the teaching of reading or writing.
This course is designed to allow individuals interested in schools to develop a greater understanding of economic inequality and to examine what teachers can do to provide the best possible education for students impacted by economic inequality. The course considers how social and educational policies have resulted in schools that are not equally resourced. This course examines and confronts the American stories of rugged individualism and of the United States as a place where class and race are irrelevant, while maintaining a focus on what teachers can do for the children with whom they work. Successful completion of this course requires a commitment to spend 10 hours outside of class volunteering in a school or community organization that supports children and families impacted by economic inequality.
The history of legislated and de facto everyday white supremacy in public schooling and social life has created a highly segregated teaching force. Most U.S. teachers are white, middle-class, monolingual females who grew up in predominantly white communities. Teachers of color are dramatically under-represented in the teaching force, and children of color have very limited representations of their racial identity throughout their schooling experience. The central work of this course is to center race as a lens for understanding miseducation in American schooling. Through shared discussion, reading, and engagement in public school communities, students will confront the assumptions of whiteness in U.S. schooling and seek to unlearn socialized assumptions about race. Students will reflect on classroom and community learning, as well as personal experiences, to develop and apply strategies and action steps that promote equity in learning contexts.
Teaching reading has never been politically neutral because reading instruction, when it is done well, requires that we read something. Underlying this course is an assumption that the selection of what students read should consider the promotion of American ideals of liberty and justice for everyone. Together students think about the messages children's and young adult books send and how to select books that promote social justice. Students read children's and young adult books that include people from different racial groups, and books that open up ideas of gender and sexuality. Successful completion of this course requires a commitment to spend regular time working with youth.
Few issues press on the minds, hearts, and lives of upcoming generations as much as climate change. Driven by swiftly accelerating transformations in our global environment and unmistakable scientific projections, young people face forms of uncertainty and anxiety around our global future -- sometimes infused by anger, denial or despair. The rise of youth involvement in issues of climate justice signals the importance of educational spaces as locations of action, awareness and dialogue. The purpose of this course is to engage undergraduate students and potential educators in considerations of, and practices for, supporting children and youth in learning about and responding to climate change realities in developmentally appropriate ways, particularly from a stance of social justice. Through readings, conversation, writing, interaction with teaching materials, and in engaging beyond the classroom, students will develop a critical understanding of climate justice, explore ways to engage children and youth in climate awareness and justice-centered projects, and work with local educators to observe and reflect upon real world climate justice education in action. Successful completion of the course requires a 10 hour commitment to community-based activities related to themes of the course.
Teaching about the past tells us where we came from and provides a narrative that communicates who "we" are. Using primary sources with K-12 students is often touted as one of the best ways to shape inclusive narratives while developing reading, writing, and critical thinking. And yet, primary sources are rarely used at the pre-college level. This class is designed to introduce students to using primary documents to help K-12 students understand alternative perspectives of the past. While many perspectives are marginalized in K-12 classrooms, few experience the silence that surrounds LGBTQ people. By using the Archive of Sexuality and Gender, students learn about LGBTQ history, discover valuable primary sources for use with K-12 students, and create a plan for using these sources with K-12 students. Successful completion of this course requires a commitment to spend regular time working with youth in a volunteer setting.
This course focuses on the ways in which educators, politicians, and the public view the state of American schools. Broad philosophies of education guide an analysis of schools, which include historical lenses as well as the current literature on classroom reforms. This course contrasts central issues of schooling as seen from the "outside" political domain and the "inside" experience of students. In particular, the course addresses how issues of race and social class as well as economic inequality surround current debates over the best way to improve schools in the 21st century. This course is intended both for prospective teachers and for students interested in examining critically the policies that shape one of the key institutions in American society. Required for the Education Studies minor and for admission to the MAT program.
The central topic of this course is the ways teachers view learning, instruction, classroom organization, and motivation. This course takes a micro-analytical approach focusing on classroom interactions and how a teacher plans for a range of student interests, experiences, strengths, and needs. Students in the course consider 1) how the teacher inquiry cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting supports teacher identity development and improves instruction, and 2) how the interactions between teachers and students, and amongst students, are located at the intersections of issues of knowledge, identity, and power.
This is the capstone course and culminating experience for the Education Studies minor. Participants should have completed most or all of their Education Studies coursework before enrolling. During the course, students work with a mentor teacher to examine instructional practice and student learning in a classroom setting. Students learn about action research, and develop a study in their school-based classroom, identifying relevant questions, collecting and analyzing data, and developing practical implications.
This course focuses on the ways in which educators, politicians, and the public view the state of American schools. Broad philosophies of education guide an analysis of schools, which include historical lenses as well as the current literature on classroom reforms. This course contrasts central issues of schooling as seen from the "outside" political domain and the "inside" experience of students. In particular, the course addresses how issues of race and social class as well as economic inequality surround current debates over the best way to improve schools in the 21st century. This course is intended both for prospective teachers and for students interested in examining critically the policies that shape one of the key institutions in American society. Required for the Education Studies minor and for admission to the MAT program.
The central topic of this course is the ways teachers view learning, instruction, classroom organization, and motivation. This course takes a micro-analytical approach focusing on classroom interactions and how a teacher plans for a range of student interests, experiences, strengths, and needs. Students in the course consider 1) how the teacher inquiry cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting supports teacher identity development and improves instruction, and 2) how the interactions between teachers and students, and amongst students, are located at the intersections of issues of knowledge, identity, and power.
This school-based field experience accompanies the elementary and secondary curriculum and instruction courses. MAT students observe and participate in elementary and/or secondary classroom teaching and learning experiences.
This seminar involves weekly meetings in which students examine a range of issues emanating from school-based experiences. In addition, the course fulfills specific Washington Administrative Code (WAC) requirements for teacher preparation. Students hear selected speakers on professional topics related to sexual harassment, appropriate relationships and touch in school, school contract law, IEP/504 students, and child neglect/abuse.
In this course students engage in reflective cycles of teaching practice. Using their teaching internship as a source of inquiry, students make their practice public, share teaching issues, and problem-solve through collegial dialogue. Participants critically reflect on curriculum, student learning, and student identities by posing questions, surfacing assumptions, reframing issues, and developing action steps to transform their teaching. Students engage with critical frameworks to inform culturally responsive and anti-racist teaching, identifying and examining their own identities, biases, and social locations. As a signature assessment, students draw upon video of their teaching to deepen their understanding of classrooms and to articulate their engagement with standards. To prepare for job searches and interviews, students engage with school district administrators and human resource personnel. This course is taken in conjunction with EDUC 622, Student Teaching.
This 2.5-unit course focuses on learning and teaching in elementary classrooms and becoming an elementary teacher. Students consider the tension between giving full attention to each subject area, integrating across subject areas, and meeting students' developmental needs. Through an analysis of current research, theories of learning, and informed classroom practices, students prepare lesson and unit plans, teach, assess, and reflect on student learning. An integrated course structure is used; students study adjacent subject areas examining similarities and differences. In this course students study writing, reading, social science, mathematics, science, music, visual arts, physical education and health.
In this course students develop knowledge and a reflective stance toward teaching in the secondary content area. Focusing on understanding the various ways in which adolescents engage with content area learning, students plan, teach, assess and think reflectively about curriculum.
This course aims to prepare secondary teacher candidates to better understand adolescent experiences within and beyond school, using a variety of critical lenses and perspectives. The course emphasizes engagement with diverse student communities, and seeks to interrogate common assumptions surrounding student abilities, motivations, and literacies. Participants work with adolescents throughout the term, engage readings, complete case studies, and work toward curriculum and instruction that more consciously includes every learner.
This course provides students the opportunity to assume the role of an elementary/secondary teacher for a 15-week period during the Spring semester. Students work cooperatively with a selected mentor teacher, with supervisory support from the University. Pass/fail only.
The central work of this course is to center race as a lens for understanding education and miseducation in American schooling. Students engage the ongoing process of confronting and unlearning socialized assumptions about race and how these manifest in classrooms and in their own racialized identities. Students reflect on classroom teaching and learning experiences to develop and apply strategies and action steps that promote racial equity in learning contexts, engaging the following questions: How do I define my racialized identity? What does it mean to name and unlearn socialized assumptions, beliefs, and practices about race? How does individual, interpersonal, and systemic racism manifest in classrooms and schools?
This masters project seminar uses reflective analysis to reconsider pedagogical dilemmas emerging from student teaching. In professional collaboration, students explore questions relating to culturally responsive teaching: What does it mean to be a culturally responsive and antiracist practitioner? How do my experiences and intersectional identities impact my cultural responsiveness? What actions can I take to interrogate my biases and social location and to contribute collaboratively to the ongoing work of equity? As a result of their exploration, students develop projects and consider implications and action steps for future practice.
Independent study is available to those students who wish to continue their learning in an area after completing the regularly offered courses in that area.