by Aimee LaBrie
In 2013, the School of Education celebrated its own anniversary of sorts – 100 years as educators of undergraduate and graduate students from all around the world. Since its fledgling beginning in 1913 with just a handful of hopeful teachers-to-be to the recent graduating class of 2014 with 142 students this past May, the school has grown both in the size of the classes and in available offerings.
Life and career skill coaching gives students an innovative way to balance both their personal life and professional goals. The recently developed special education dual majors meet a growing need in the field, giving students the edge they require to be successful when they graduate.
“There is just so much demand in this particular field,” says Dr. Michele Kamens, who, along with Dr. Diane Casale-Giannola, runs the special education program. “I expect it to grow and grow rapidly. There’s been a huge push, and rightly so, to identify as early as possible the needs of children with different abilities and, in turn, get those children services they need as soon as we can.”
Another new program, teacher leadership, offers both a master’s degree and certificate opportunities and is poised to become the premier program of its kind in the Garden State. And the classes – in addition to being offered on-campus and online – are being offered on-site.
Leading to a Master of Arts in educational leadership, the principal leadership program’s cohort-based, executive-style format brings educational peers together to study, network and learn as a unit throughout the program. Participants engage in online classes during the school year and attend two residencies on Rider University’s Lawrenceville campus each summer.
Similarly, TEACH First Class transforms traditional teacher preparation by eliminating the gap between theory and practice for students interested in teaching kindergarten through fifth grade. Supported by faculty mentors, students begin classroom experiences immediately and, in just nine months, gain both teaching credentials and hands-on classroom experiences while also establishing professional relationships and a support network of other teachers.
The School of Education has truly transitioned over the years from a traditional model to a center of innovation with numerous opportunities for students to succeed amid the ever-changing educational trends.
