Teacher Education Unit

Professors: R. Ackland, K. Grant, H. Schnackenberg
Associate Professors: M. Beatham, Q. Lin, D. Simard, M. Squires, Y. Yu
Assistant Professors: E. Daniels, D. Iasevoli, M. Martin, A. Puliatte
Lecturers: K. Alton, S. Hackett, M. Johnson, C. McCarty, J. Mockry, M. Timmons, B. Wright
Co-Directors of Field Experience and Student Teaching: A. Gervich, C. McCarty
Director of Certification & Graduate Advising:
Clinical Faculty: A. Gervich, M. Timmons
Project CONNECT Site Directors: E. Grimshaw, A. Patnode

Teacher Education Unit Administrative Office: Sibley 302
Phone: 518-564-2122 Fax: 518-564-2149

Shared Vision

Our purpose is to prepare educators who are competent, caring, and qualified; who are rooted in the college’s strong liberal arts tradition; and who endeavor to practice professionally, exemplifying ethical and democratic principles in a complex world. Concurrent with academic study, our professional teacher education programs include essential early and continuous learning experiences in field settings. In partnership with college departments, schools, and communities, our professional education programs prepare reflective educators at the initial level, and proficient reflective educators at the advanced level. The professional education faculty shared vision ensures coherence among content knowledge, pedagogy, field experiences, and student performance for all teaching preparation programs. It reflects our commitment to prepare educators to work with ALL students.

National Accreditation

The SUNY College at Plattsburgh’s Teacher Education programs, which are designed to prepare competent, qualified, and caring teachers for tomorrow’s schools, are accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council for a period of 5 years, from October 2014 to October 2021.

Degrees and Programs in Education

Childhood Education (Grades 1-6):

The Bachelor of Science requires at least 60 credit hours in liberal arts, including electives. Childhood education majors select an appropriate area of academic concentration. To learn more about the concentrations, visit our website www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/education/childhood.

Literacy Education and Special Education:

The combined programs leading to degrees in Childhood Education and either Literacy Education or Special Education offer unique opportunities for a streamlined educational experience. For more information, see Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) Combined Program, B.S./M.S.Ed. .

Adolescence Education (7-12):

Combined programs in Adolescence Education with biology, chemistry, English, French, geology, history, mathematics, physics, or Spanish are available. For more information see Adolescence Education Combined Program, B.A./M.S.T.

M.S.T. and M.S.Ed.:

Programs are available that lead to M.S.T and M.S.Ed. degrees. See more information at Adolescence Education Program, M.S.T. , Childhood Education Program, M.S.T. , and Special Education Programs, M.S.Ed. .

Study Away Programs and Initiatives in Education:

SUNY Plattsburgh has semester or full academic year exchange programs with a number of colleges and universities in a variety of countries. In addition, short-term study away initiatives (1 to 3 weeks) during the winter or summer sessions may also be available. Teacher education majors are advised to plan early for a semester or year abroad in consultation with their academic advisor. The program is coordinated by the Office of Global Education.

Language Requirement (other than English):

All teacher education students must complete a two-semester, beginning-level sequence, or its equivalent, in French, German, Gaelic, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or American Sign Language. (See the chairperson of the department of Modern Languages and Cultures for further details.) The second semester foreign language course also satisfies SUNY Plattsburgh’s general education foreign language requirement. Students who have satisfied SUNY Plattsburgh’s general education foreign language requirement with a score of 85 or higher on the Regents exam plus four or more years of high school courses in the same foreign language, through a CLEP exam, or through SUNY Plattsburgh’s placement exam have met this certification requirement.

General Education Requirements:

Education majors must complete all SUNY Plattsburgh general education requirements, which are intended to provide the skills, breadth of knowledge, and the perspectives that all college graduates should have beyond their major.

Continuing Enrollment Requirements for All Undergraduate Education Programs

All education majors and transfer students seeking to enter an education program must meet the following eligibility requirements for the undergraduate teacher education programs:

Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to enter the program and to remain in the program. Education majors who fall below a 3.0 minimum GPA may be dismissed from the program.
Minimum grade of C or better in ENG 101 . Students who are admitted to an education program must complete all required education courses with a C or better in order to continue to the next higher level in the education sequence.
Students who exhibit deficiencies in professional behavior and/or teaching performance, regardless of GPA, may be subject to dismissal from the program.

An advisor will assist students in making appropriate professional decisions.

Field Experience (e.g. Practicums/Internships) (Non-Student Teaching)

Successful progression through the education program requires satisfactory attainment of prescribed competencies. These competencies are gained through a planned sequence of courses that contribute to a required developmental portfolio. This theory-based, experience-oriented program culminates in a senior field experience (student teaching). The student is held responsible for any arrangements and expenses incurred for transportation while assigned to field-based experiences in any of the sequences.

Early Field Experience (Project CONNECT) Requirements:

In order to be placed in your undergraduate program early field experience, Project CONNECT (after school program), teacher candidates must complete a full background check as prescribed by The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The background check includes:

A Statewide Central Register Database check which requires a $25.00 money order made out to The Office of Children and Family Services.
A completed caregiver medical statement signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner.
Results of a tuberculin test, completed within the last year.
A signed criminal conviction statement.
The names, addresses, and phone numbers for three references.
A completed qualifications page or resume.
A signed mandated reporter attestation.
Fingerprints completed for OCFS for “Child Day Care”. Fingerprints taken for NYSED will not be accepted for these purposes. There is no cost for fingerprinting through OCFS.
A request for Staff Exclusion List Check Form.

Student Teaching

Student teachers test ideas, assume responsibility, and develop teaching competencies. Childhood education majors participate in student teaching at both the primary and intermediate levels. At the beginning of every spring semester, ALL education majors qualified to student teach during the following fall or spring semester must attend a mandatory student teaching application session. SUNY Plattsburgh operates field experience centers in various geographic areas extending from the Canadian border to Malone, and south to the Glens Falls, Albany, and New York City regions. Field experience assignments are limited to these geographic regions. Students may be required to relocate to any of these regions, with the exception of New York City. All placements are arranged by the Office of Field Experience and Student Teaching. No additional coursework may be taken concurrent with Student Teaching.

Admission to Student Teaching

Education majors must meet certain requirements to qualify for admission to the senior field experience (student teaching). These are:

Attendance in the spring semester (1 to 2 semesters prior to student teaching) at a mandatory student teaching application session;
Completion of the appropriate student teaching application form and all other required data forms;
Minimum grade of C in ENG 101 Composition (or ENG 101 - College Writing II (3 to 4 cr.) );
Completion of all required coursework in general education and area of concentration;
A minimum grade of C in all concentration courses;
Completion of all required professional education courses through the semester preceding the field experience with no grade below a C;
Completion of all required work in the academic specialization by the semester preceding the student teaching;
Certification by a physician that the student is apparently free from physical and mental conditions which might prevent the student from participating in the senior field experience;
Demonstrated competency in written expression;
Certification by the Dean of Students that the student’s standing in the college community (as reflected in her/his conduct) is such as to ensure reasonable effectiveness in pupil, faculty, and community relations; and
Meets dispositional standards according to TEU faculty and degree program specifications.
Completion of portfolio materials in keeping with program guidelines.

Final decisions regarding admission to the field experience are made by the college’s Co-Directors and Field Experiences and Student Teaching upon the recommendation of the teacher education faculty.

NOTE: No other courses can be taken during student teaching.

Requirements for All Education Programs Fingerprinting:

Education majors seeking teacher certification must submit a fingerprint application, pay the fee, and have their fingerprints taken and sent to NYSED.

Child Abuse and Neglect Instruction:

Education majors seeking teacher certification must complete a minimum of two clock hours of instruction regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. If this requirement has not been met by completing EDU 321 or an equivalent course at Plattsburgh, candidates should contact their local BOCES for further information. A copy of the BOCES certificate of completion must be forwarded by the student to the Registrar’s Office for annotation on the student’s academic record.

School Violence Prevention and Intervention Instruction:

Education majors seeking teaching certification must complete a minimum of two clock hours of instruction in School Violence Prevention and Intervention. Undergraduate students completing EDU 321 at SUNY Plattsburgh after the fall 2000 semester, EDU 5110 , or EDU 5120 will have met this requirement. All others should call their local BOCES for further information. A copy of the BOCES certificate of completion must be forwarded by the student to the Registrar’s Office for annotation on the student’s academic record.

DASA Dignity for All Students Act

All students who seek certification in teaching must complete a minimum of six clock hours of instruction regarding the Dignity for All Student Act (DASA) training in Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention. The requirements can be met by the satisfactory completion of

EDU 230 , EDU 5110 , EDU 5120 , EDS 507 , and EDR 513 at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Graduation (Exit) Requirements for All Education Programs

In order to graduate from SUNY Plattsburgh with a degree in education, undergraduates must meet the following graduation (exit) requirements:

Completion of all general education, concentration, and professional education course requirements;
Minimum overall GPA of 2.75;
No education courses below a C;
Successful completion of student teaching (P);
As part of the approved Undergraduate and Combined programs the State Education modules of substance abuse awareness, child abuse and neglect, DASA, school violence prevention, autism, and intervention instruction;
Completion of foreign language requirement;
Completion of all field-related requirements; and
Application for graduation.

NOTE: Failure to complete student teaching successfully prohibits a student from obtaining a degree in education.

Notice of Education Program Changes

Because teacher education certification programs and requirements may change, it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of all graduation requirements necessary for certification. Education majors should check with the Co-Directors of Field Experience and Student Teaching, consult with the appropriate program leader, attend advising sessions and make regular appointments with their advisors in order to select and schedule courses. All certification questions should be directed to the Office of Certification.The Teacher Education Unit will comply with any new SUNY or NYS Education Department regulations needed to allow education majors who follow and complete the appropriate programs to be recommended for certification. Every effort will be made to contact education majors about any changes in program requirements, but students are ultimately responsible for meeting program requirements.

New York State Teacher Certification

In order to obtain NYS teacher certification, one must successfully complete certificate exams; submit fingerprints; accept TEACH waiver consent on Banner Web account; and apply and pay for NYS teacher certification. Pass rates are available at www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/education/teacherexampassrates.php.

Application for Initial Teacher Certification

United States citizenship is not required for initial certification. However, professional certification is available only to citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States. Pre-service teachers eligible to receive an initial certificate should visit our website for more information.

NYS Teacher Certification Titles

Initial Certificate

Earned baccalaureate degree
Complete certification exams
Lifespan: valid for five years

NOTE: Information regarding Certification Test requirements can be accessed at www.nystce.nesinc.com.

Professional Certificate

Completed master’s degree
Three years of school teaching, including mentored first year with three successful evaluations
Lifespan: renewable every five years, with mandated professional development hours.

Effective September 1, 2009 coursework or training in the Needs of Children with Autism is required for all applicants seeking teaching certificates in all areas of Special Education. For students enrolled in the Special Education graduate programs and the BS/MSED Childhood Special Education programs the courses that provides this content is EDS 424 and EDS 524 .

NOTE: These requirements may change. Be sure to refer to the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website www.nystce.nesinc.com. Other information concerning requirements and amendments to certification are specified in Parts 52.2 and 80 of the current NYS Education Department regulations.

Programs

Majors (Undergraduate)

Childhood Education (Grades 1 - 6), B.S.

Combined Undergraduate & Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Certificates (Graduate)

Certificates of Advanced Study

School Building Leader Certificate of Advanced Study