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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 312 Todd Wehr Hall. Please keep the following information in mind as you work with your educational studies and subject area advisors 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. Please see APPENDIX I: Distributions at the end of this Handbook.
- Complete a subject area major. Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence and Early Adolescence to Adolescence certifiers must complete a teaching major. Early Childhood to Middle Childhood certifiers need only complete a subject area minor.
- Complete the professional education course sequence appropriate for the level of certification being sought. See the Ripon College Catalog, the appropriate color coded advising sheets in Todd Wehr 312, and your education advisor; and,
- 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 are also held every semester. Attendance at one of these meetings is required.
- An educational advisor will be appointed for you once you make known your interest in pursuing a program in educational studies. Work closely with your advisors (another advisor will also be appointed for 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:
- Dr. Andrew Kirchmeier - Todd Wehr 307, 748-8387 - Middle/Secondary Certifiers, especially those in social studies, mathematics, and science majors. K-12 Certifiers.
- Dr. Jeanne Williams - Todd Wehr 308, 748-8386 - Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Early Adolescence, and K-12.
- Ms. Suzanne Katz - Todd Wehr 309, 748-8388 - Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Early Adolescence, and K-12.
- Once you select a subject area major, you should speak with an advisor in that field of study as soon as possible. That advisor along with your advisor in Educational Studies will work with you to insure that 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 may also work with their advisors 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
- Early Childhood to Middle Childhood (age 0-grade 5)
- Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence (grades 1-9)
- Early Adolescence to Adolescence(Grades 6-12)
- Physical Education (Grades PreK-12 certification only)
- Music (Grades PreK-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 previously considered. This will also 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 190 State, Schools and Globalization" and "EDU 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 ACM Urban Education Program or in an International School. Discuss these options with your advisor.
- Your Wisconsin certification 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.
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