|
Students planning to earn teacher certification through Ripon College must plan their academic programs carefully so that graduation and certification requirements will be completed in a timely manner. Program outlines for the different certification levels and program planning sheets are available in the Educational Studies Department. Please keep the following information in mind as you work with your educational studies and subject area advisers to develop your academic program.
- You must satisfy four sets of requirements for teacher certification:
- Satisfy all College distribution requirements including some special requirements for teacher education students.
- Complete a subject area major. All students seeking teacher licensure at any program level must complete a subject area major.
- Complete the professional education course sequence appropriate for the level of certification being sought. See the Ripon College Catalog, the appropriate advising worksheets in Appendix V and your education adviser.
- Complete the professional education requirements outlined in the “Program Requirements Checklist” in this Handbook.
- Attend orientation and information meetings held for first-year students during the summer prior to entry to Ripon College and during the first semester. General information meetings also are held every semester. Attendance at one of these meetings is required.
- An educational adviser will be appointed to you after you make known your interest in pursuing a program in educational studies. Work closely with your advisers (another adviser also will be appointed to you by the College for first-year advising). Here are the names, addresses, subject areas and grade levels for advising of the Educational Studies faculty:
- Olga Shonia - Todd Wehr 307, 748-8387 - Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Early Adolescence/Adolescence and student teachers planning to go abroad.
- Dr. Jeanne Williams - Todd Wehr 308, 748-8386 - Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Early Adolescence/Adolescence, Dual Special Education Certification and K-12.
- Dr. Suzanne Katz - Todd Wehr 309, 748-8388 - Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Early Adolescence/Adolescence, Foreign Languages, Music and Theatre.
- After you select a subject area major, you should speak with an adviser in that field of study as soon as possible. That adviser, along with your adviser in Educational Studies, will work with you to ensure you are meeting all requirements to qualify for certification and graduation from the College. The following majors and minors are approved for teacher licensure at Ripon College. Be sure to check the "College Catalog" for specific requirements of each major/minor.
- Students also may work with their advisers to identify teaching minors, broad field course work, or concentrations that can be completed to add teaching areas to the license.
- You must select the grade levels at which you plan to teach:
- Early Childhood (birth to age 5)
- Early Childhood to Middle Childhood (birth to grade 5)
- Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence (grades 1 through 9)
- Early Adolescence to Adolescence (grades 6 through 12)
- Physical Education (grades preK through 12 certification only)
- Music (grades preK through 12 certification only)
- Be diligent and plan ahead. Work to satisfy as many distribution requirements (See APPENDIX I) as possible during your first two years. Courses taken to meet these requirements may help you identify a teaching major or minor you had not considered previously. This also will permit you to concentrate on your major and professional development as a junior and senior.
- Take your first educational studies course during the second semester of your first year or the first semester of your second year at Ripon College. "EDU 195 Introduction to the Social Foundations of Education " and "EDU 250 Psychological Foundations of Education" are usually the first courses taken by students seeking teacher certification.
- Consider your student teaching options as you plan your academic programs. Most teacher education students now complete their student teaching during a ninth semester following graduation. Tuition is reduced if student teaching is completed during the ninth (or later) semester. Ninth semester student teaching permits students to include off-campus experience, overseas study and/or a teaching minor in their academic programs. These experiences will improve your chances for employment and may assist you in exploring student teaching through the Teach Chicago! program or in an international placement. Students also have the option of completing Special Education Certification in a dual program with UW-Oshkosh beginning in their junior year. Discuss these options with your adviser.
- Your Wisconsin teaching license will transfer to other states. However, requirements do vary from state to state, and you will be required to meet the additional requirements. Often, transfer teachers are given provisional certification to teach until they meet state requirements.
- Use the Program Checklist in Appendix IV as a useful guide.
|
