Department of Elementary Education

Psychology Building 105
Phone: 410-704-2176
Fax: 410-704-4265
Email: tcotton@towson.edu

Mission Statement

The mission of Educator Preparation Programs at Towson University is to:

  • Prepare the next generation of diverse educators and leaders committed to meeting the individual needs of all learners.
  • Advance scholarship around significant priorities in the profession.
  • Collaborate with and advocate for children, families, and communities.
  • Develop and implement innovative solutions to education challenges.

Vision Statement

Towson University will be recognized for preparing innovative and socially just professionals who advocate on behalf of children, families, and the profession. We will empower educators with a strong knowledge of research-based pedagogies, a technology-rich skillset, a deep understanding of how children, youth, and adults learn, and caring dispositions to lead and succeed in inclusive and equitable settings.

Programs of the Department

The Department of Elementary Education offers the following programs of study: the major in Elementary Education, the major in Elementary Education with eligibility for Early Childhood certification, the minor in Linguistic Diversity, the Master of Education in Elementary Education, and the Master of Education in Reading Education. For more information about the master’s programs, consult the Graduate Catalog.

The Elementary Education faculty believes that well-prepared elementary school teachers are facilitators of active learning. As reflective practitioners, teachers engage students in the learning process by utilizing research findings and experience-based strategies and practices to make sound, educational decisions. These decisions should be based upon an articulated education philosophy, a thorough knowledge of students’ strengths and needs, and an analysis of various learning environments. The Elementary Education program fulfills the goal of preparing such teachers through a program based on a broad liberal arts background and professional preparation, including a planned sequence of courses and field experiences in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

The major in Elementary Education leads to certification to teach grades 1 through 6. The program provides classroom and laboratory experiences that prepare students for beginning teaching in elementary schools.

The goals and objectives of the Department of Elementary Education reflect the mission and vision of the College of Education. Students in the program are provided the knowledge, skills, and dispositions identified by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) K-6 Elementary Teacher Preparation standards. Students are required to demonstrate mastery of the performance-based outcomes in order to exit the Elementary Education Program.

Admission Requirements for Teacher Education

The Teacher Education Executive Board, representing all initial teacher education programs at Towson University, utilizes the following minimum requirements as conditions for admission into teacher education programs, maintaining candidate status and formal entry into the capstone internship. Programs may include additional requirements for admission into the program and/or the capstone internship.

The College of Education admits students either as freshmen or as undergraduate transfer students from accredited, post-secondary institutions. During the freshman and sophomore years, students are generally engaged in pre-professional courses or courses that fulfill Core Curriculum requirements, as well as all identified prerequisites (e.g., specific and sequential courses in Core Curriculum) for admission to COE screened majors and programs.

All College of Education undergraduate programs are screened majors. As an integral part of the teaching/learning experience, students work with advisers in a strategic planning process across all years at TU. Accordingly, to support student success, all COE students are required to confer prior to registration each term with their assigned advisers.

I. PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO ALL TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS

  1. Complete a self-disclosure criminal background form to be submitted to the major department with the application. 
  2. Submit an application for formal admission to the program. Students seeking admission to teacher education programs must contact their department chairperson or program coordinator by 45 credit hours for program-specific procedures and requirements for admission to professional education programs.

  3. A cumulative/overall GPA of 3.00 or higher is required for admission to an initial licensure teacher education program.

    1. Applicants with a GPA between 2.50 - 2.99 may be admitted conditionally if they provide evidence of passing scores on a Basic Skills Assessment* as identified by the Maryland State Department of Education (i.e. SAT, ACT, GRE, Praxis Core) and receive approval from the department chairperson/program coordinator.

      *Candidates may apply for a test waiver directly to the department. Such waivers should only be granted if it is predicted, based on the individual candidate’s transcript data, that the candidate’s final cumulative/overall GPA will be above a 3.00.

II. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete 62 units of courses in the program and apply for the major after completing all pre-professional and prerequisite courses. All applicants must submit an online application to the Department of Elementary Education.  The following requirements must be met for approval to advance into the elementary education major and/or the elementary and early childhood major.

  1. Completion of 62 or more units with a grade equivalent of 2.00 (C) or higher.  Students must maintain a 3.00-grade point average in the major.
  2. Students must be approved by an assigned adviser to apply for elementary education or the elementary and early childhood program.  Students must submit an online application with unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities, an Advising Data Form, a Checklist of Plan of Study, and evidence of meeting the basic skills assessment requirement to the Department of Elementary Education if their GPA is between 2.50-2.99.
  3. All students must meet with an assigned advisor in the Department of Elementary Education each semester. 

Courses

ELED 200 THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILD AS A LEARNER (3)

Provides overview of children's development in the middle childhood years with specific focus on children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in the elementary primary and middle grades. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 with a grade of C or higher.

ELED 311 CHILDREN AND THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT (3)

Curriculum methods and assessment strategies for the elementary school classroom. Requires successful completion of Level I and Level II of the Elementary Education Professional Internship Sequence. Corequisite: ELED 312. Prerequisite: senior major standing.

ELED 312 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL INTERNSHIP I (3)

Completion of an internship in an elementary school classroom for a minimum of 120 hours. Requires successful completion of Level I and Level II of the Elementary Education Professional Internship Sequence. Corequisites: ELED 311; senior major standing. Internship/Practicum fee will be assessed.

ELED 320 WRITING FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS (3)

Introduces the models and practices of written communication used by elementary teachers. Emphasis will be given to the genres taught in elementary school, the strategies and processes used to produce effective texts, and the features of quality texts. Students will use writing to analyze and evaluate claims, evidence, and questions about teaching writing to diverse children. Requires grade of C or better to fulfill Core requirement. Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or ENGL 190 or equivalent. Core: Advanced Writing Seminar.

ELED 322 FOUNDATIONS OF READING AND OTHER LANGUAGE ARTS (3)

Examination of theories, processes and acquisition of reading and language arts, including cognitive, linguistic, social and physiological factors involved in oral and written language development.

ELED 324 INTEGRATING LITERACY IN PREK-12 CONTENT AREAS (3)

Overview of process and acquisition of literacy, informal strategies for assessing literacy, and the range of instructional strategies and materials for integrating literacy into PreK-12 content area classrooms. Restricted to Music Education, Art Education, Dance Education, or Physical Education majors. Prerequisite: special permit.

ELED 365 TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (3)

Methods and materials for elementary school social studies instruction. Attention given to multicultural and global perspectives. Prerequisite: senior standing.

ELED 399 DIFFERENTIATED INTERNSHIP- ELEMENTARY (1-8)

Student teaching experience in addition to those in ELED 468 or student teaching in special subject areas, according to needs and interest of the student. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 units. Graded S/U. Internship/Practicum fee will be assessed.

ELED 412 METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR TEACHING LITERACY IN THE PRIMARY GRADES (3)

Examines research-based methods and materials for teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening strategies and skills to children in Grades 1-3. Focus is on children's emergent literacy development and effective instruction for diverse learners at the primary level. Students who have successfully completed ELED 323 will not receive additional credit for ELED 412. Corequisite: ELED 413. Prerequisites: ELED 322 and consent of department.

ELED 413 INTERNSHIP IN PRIMARY LITERACY (3)

An introductory field experience that provides the opportunity to observe and participate in a primary grade classroom and to apply theories and practices of literacy instruction. Also provides opportunities to reflect on instruction and building a community of learners. Students who have successfully completed ELED 363 will not receive additional credit for ELED 413. Corequisite: ELED 412. Prerequisites: ELED 322 and consent of department. Internship/Practicum fee will be assessed.

ELED 424 METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR TEACHING LITERACY IN THE INTERMEDIATE GRADES (3)

Examines research-based methods and materials for teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening strategies and skills to children in Grades 3-6. Focus is on children's literacy development and effective instruction for diverse learners at the intermediate level. The course also includes a field experience in local schools where students practice these skills with elementary age children. Students who have successfully completed EDUC 417 will not receive additional credit for ELED 424. Prerequisites: ELED 412 and department consent.

ELED 426 LITERACY INSTRUCTION FOR LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE LEARNERS (3)

Examines theories of second language acquisition and linguistic diversity, including dialect, in the context of elementary literacy instruction. Focuses on the ways that candidates use linguistically diverse learners' cultural and linguistic assets as a bridge to literacy learning and the linguistic relationships between learners' home languages and academic English. Course also examines sociocultural influences that inform the school and home environments of students. Includes a field experience in local schools where students practice these skills with elementary age children. Students who have successfully completed ELED 357 will not receive additional credit for ELED 426.

ELED 429 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF ASSESSMENT IN READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS (3)

Examination of and practice using a range of assessments for reading and language arts development, focusing on the relationship of assessment to instructional planning for diverse learners. Prerequisite: ELED 323.

ELED 451 ASSESSMENT OF MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS (3)

Course participants will be invited to critically examine approaches to multiple language development and assessment congruent with recent research. Class members will apply language acquisition theories and multilingual literacy theories towards assessment models. Prerequisite: ECED 460 or ELED 357.

ELED 452 LINGUISTICS AND GRAMMAR FOR MULTILINGUAL AND MONOLINGUAL LEARNERS (3)

Course participants will examine grammatical and linguistic elements among the language used by individuals who are both multilingual and monolingual learners. Prerequisite: ECED 460 or ELED 357.

ELED 468 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL INTERNSHIP II (6-12)

Fourteen-to fifteen-week full-time field experience in public school classrooms under guidance of master teachers and university supervisor. Requires successful completion of Levels I, II, and Levels III of the Elementary Education Professional Internship Sequence. Corequisite: ELED 469. Prerequisite: senior major standing. Graded S/U. Internship/Practicum fee will be assessed.

ELED 469 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL INTERNSHIP SEMINAR (3)

Readings, action research and discussion on school environments, instructional delivery, diagnosis/evaluation, classroom management policies. Active inquiry within context of classrooms and agencies that influence schooling practices. Requires successful completion of Levels I, II, and Levels III of the Elementary Education Professional Internship Sequence. Corequisite: ELED 468. Prerequisite: senior major standing.

ELED 470 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (1-3)

In-depth study of a selected topic in Elementary Education. The specific requirements and prerequisites will vary with each topic and will be designated by the department each time a topic is scheduled. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits provided different topics are covered.

ELED 494 TRAVEL AND STUDY: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (1-6)

Study abroad of education facilities, programs, or practices, or selected projects in Elementary Education topics. By special arrangement with program chairperson and sponsoring instructors. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.

ELED 495 INDEPENDANT STUDY IN EDUCATION: ELEMENTARY (1-4)

An opportunity for especially qualified students to undertake research problems or study projects relevant to their interest and training under the direction of a staff member. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.

ELED 496 DIRECTED READNG: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (1-4)

Independent reading in selected areas of Elementary Education in order to provide for the individual a comprehensive coverage or to meet special needs. By invitation of the Department to major students. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.

REED 102 ACADEMIC LITERACY (3)

Develop an understanding of the reading process and the multiple factors that influence reading proficiency. Explore different reading theories, strategies, vocabulary and applications, college-level literacy in the natural sciences, mathematics, the humanities, the social sciences, business and the fine arts. This reading course can be taken for credit by students who qualify.

REED 365 LITERACY IN THE CONTENT AREAS PREK-12 (3)

Strategies for teaching reading and writing in PreK-12 certification programs within the content disciplines of Dance and Physical Education. Prerequisite: ELED 324.

REED 370 SPECIAL TOPICS IN READING EDUCATION (3)

Studies of selected topics in literacy education. Specific requirements and prerequisites will vary and will be designated by the department each time a topic is scheduled. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of the Director of the REED program.

Faculty

Professors: Robert Blake, Robert Blake Jr., Keri-Anne Croce, Judith Guerrero (Chairperson), Lijun Jin, Xiaoming Liu (Graduate Program Director), Maria Perpetua Socorro U. Liwanag, Gilda Martinez-Alba, Morna McNulty, Vicki McQuitty, Stephen Mogge (Graduate Program Director)

Associate Professors: Pamela Hickey, Gary Homana, Meghan Liebfreund, Brian Miller, Cole Reilly, Marcia Watson-Vandiver

Assistant Professors: Deneen Dixon-Payne, Tamera Moore, Bethany Rice

Lecturers: Mandy Dishon, Jaime O'Donnell, Carolyn Reid, Melissa Stephenson, Laura Ward, Lisa Wisniewski

Clinical Instructor: Shelly Huggins

Lecturer II: Rebecca Maloy, Linda Miller, Rosa Pina-Leonard, Lisa Trattner