Product
Review:
The
Quest for a Qualified Teacher in Every Classroom
by
Patrick Ianniello, Ph.D.
In 1964, Audrey Cohen, a woman determined
to change how students are educated, introduced Purpose-Centered
Education. Through an approach she called experiential
learning, students would use their knowledge to work
on Constructive Action projects, and approach education
as a learning laboratory. The college Ms. Cohen founded,
now re-named Metropolitan College of New York, is
still transforming lives and education forty years
later.
In September 2004, MCNY is introducing
a Master of Science in Education degree that is designed
to prepare graduate students for their initial certification
in Childhood Education (grades 1--6). This unique
one-year full-time program allows students to study
and complete an applied internship in childhood education
at the same time. In the first semester, through
field experiences, students examine and explore in
practice positive professional relationships and
resources in the school and the community that are
aimed at helping children to become effective learners.
In the second semester, students will
participate in a primary grade student teaching experience
with a focus on honing their skills in curriculum
construction, development and evaluation based on
national and state standards. In the third and final
segment of the program, a student teaching experience
in the upper elementary grades will allow them an
opportunity to critique their own work, re-evaluate
their own teaching methods and think about how to
meet the unique and diverse learning needs of all
students.
As signaled
with the passage of the “No
Child Left Behind” legislation, there has been
a movement at the local and state level in the United
States to make sure all of our children are receiving
a quality education. To achieve the goal of raising
the standards for quality elementary education, an
important step is to make sure that all teachers
are fully certified and understand their unique role
in the community.
Now through
our Master of Science in Childhood Education, students,
many who are changing careers to enter the profession,
once again support the mission of Metropolitan
College of New York “to
provide an education of the highest caliber that
empowers students of all ages and backgrounds to
lead, to pursue justice, and to promote change in
their personal, professional and civic lives.” It
seems appropriate now, when times call for reform
in educational practice, that the College takes what
experiences have proven true in its model of education
and apply that to the preparation of a new kind of
professional teacher.#
Dr. Patrick Ianniello is the Director
of the Master of Science Degree in Education Program
at Metropolitan College of New York. Dr. Ianniello
has served as an elementary school principal, assistant
principal and teacher in New York City Public Schools
for 34 years.