Undergraduate Program in  Childhood Education

Room 2105 James
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
718-951-5447

Program Description

The undergraduate program in Childhood Education was formerly known as Elementary Education. The change in name reflects the impending New York State Certification title.

The undergraduate program in Childhood Education provides a wide range of course work and field placements to prepare students to teach in grades 1-6. Students’ work in this program will acquaint them with various philosophic thoughts as well as the principles of child development that inform teaching decisions in various curriculum areas.

In education courses and in their work in the liberal arts disciplines, students learn to integrate teaching methods, technologies, research and curriculum development. For example, in a course in social studies, students choose a paired course from among the disciplines of Political Science, Sociology, Puerto Rican and Latino Studies, and Africana and Caribbean, Studies. A comprehensive liberal arts background invites and enables students to practice application of the theoretical frames to which they have been exposed. Students will gain knowledge, skills and practice in the learning standards for which they will be held accountable (as will Schools of Education in the preparation of teachers).

The major in education, the courses with which many are paired, and a sequential or interdisciplinary concentration provide comprehensive experience with respect to various skills and activities engaged in by teachers. Students become familiar with community-based and cultural organizations in the city, and are encouraged to participate in their work. They develop interdisciplinary curriculum that reflects cultural diversity and to address requirements of persons with special needs as well as those of English language learners.

Students are provided with public school experiences in which they test new techniques and materials, conduct research, and thus further link theory to practice. Field placements offer the opportunity for students to gain practice, comfort and effectiveness in working with children from diverse developmental, linguistic, social, economic and cultural backgrounds. Individual clinical supervision in various educational settings is provided so that students will receive immediate and thorough feedback as they practice curriculum development and observation.

Students are encouraged to reflect upon their performance through the use of written materials, conferences with college faculty, public school personnel, meetings with parents and community organizations, as well as other experiences that are important in children’s lives with respect to schooling.

Brooklyn College graduates of the program in Childhood Education embrace current thinking in the areas of reform, the connection of culture and curriculum, reflection of their own performance, and research skills that will invite them to continue to grow professionally in the practice of this vital and exciting work.

Program Faculty

Wayne Reed, Acting Program Head  

Tibbi Duboys, David Fuys,  Wen-Song Hwu, Meral Kaya, Haroon Kharem,  Eleanor Miele, Sharon O'Connor-Petruso, Wayne Reed, Karel Rose, Barbara Rosenfeld, Alma Rubal-Lopez

Link to Graduate Program in Childhood Education

The School of Education
Brooklyn College/CUNY
2900 Bedford Avenue / Rm. 2111 James / Brooklyn, NY 11210

Updated September 2009 / Brooklyn College School of Education
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