Teacher Education: Elementary Education, A.A.

Associate of Arts Degree: (AA-TEEE)

About the Program

The Teacher Education Associate of Arts degree in elementary education offers career opportunities to complete the first two years of the baccalaureate degree requirements leading to teacher certification in special, elementary and secondary education. The program is designed to prepare prospective teachers to be innovative role models and leaders in academic environments. In order to acquire the skills and abilities necessary for excellence in teaching, students will participate in classes, fieldwork, support services and workshops.

Program Goals

• To prepare students with the knowledge and necessary foundation as the precursor for a declared four-year degree in Elementary Teacher Education
• To teach students the social, philosophical, historical perspectives and best practices in educational methodology that impact elementary education

Program Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe the policies, issues, and trends in the field of elementary education
• Analyze and identify major historical events in education and its impact with current educational trends
• Identify the psychological, cognitive, emotional, and physical characteristics of typically developing children, children with disabilities, and children who are culturally and linguistically diverse
• Demonstrate knowledge of and critically evaluate current instructional practices in elementary education to compare and contrast instructional strategies based on students’ learning styles
• Design and implement individual development learning plans that include cognitive processes associated with critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, invention, memorization and recall that are appropriate for all students across the learning continuum
• Identify and explain the models of classroom and behavior management
• Identify strategies for working and advocating for families of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students and students with disabilities in order to facilitate a child’s educational program
• Identify community resources serving students with special needs and their families
• Demonstrate excellent written, verbal, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, which will allow them to effectively make connections between prior knowledge/ experience and new learning

Admission Requirements

Students are required to complete the following:

• Fulfill all WCCCD admissions requirements
• Declare intent to enter the Teacher Education program by completing a program application form
• Fulfill course placement requirements based on the ACCUPLACER® assessment
• Earn and maintain a minimum overall 2.5 grade point average
• Submit a completed program application for admission along with other supporting documentation as specified in the application
• Complete background check and drug screening

Students are required to do the following:

• Fulfill all WCCCD admission requirements
• Fulfill course placement requirements based on the ACCUPLACER® assessment
• Complete a WCCCD Program Application and submit to the Campus Academic Officer