Beginning in September 2011 Monroe will introduce a Bachelor of Science Degree program in Early Childhood Education to help Address the Shortage of Highly Qualified Educators in High-Needs Schools. The program will focus on preparing teachers who can work with children in nursery schools, preschool programs, and kindergarten through 2nd grades in so-called high needs schools.
Building on Monroe’s commitment to meeting the needs of the communities it serves in the New York metropolitan area, this intensive program will provide students extensive preparation in early childhood development and education. The carefully-selected faculty will consist of urban education experts with significant teaching experience in high needs schools. Students in the early-childhood program will graduate with more than 400 hours of field and student teaching experience, double the amount required by current regulations. In addition, the College will offer ongoing support and mentoring for students after graduation through a series of monthly symposiums to help keep them in the classroom beyond the current three-year average.
“It’s no secret one of the biggest challenges in urban education today is recruiting and retaining highly-qualified teachers to work in high-needs schools,” Steven Waldow, Vice-President of Academics said. “Through a combination of a rigorous curriculum and ongoing mentoring, graduates will provide a pipeline of effective early childhood educators for public schools throughout metropolitan New York.”
In addition to helping preschools and elementary schools fill critical shortage areas, Monroe’s early-childhood program also aligns with several federal and New York State Board of Regents priorities for the nation’s schools of education. It will provide more real-world training for prospective educators and help attract more minorities into teaching. Nationwide, African-Americans and Latinos represent 35 percent of students but fewer than 15 percent of teachers.
Admission to the early-childhood program will be selective and competitive. Interested applicants should visit www.monroecollege.edu for more information or call 1-800-55-MONROE. |