Department of Education
Faculty:
Janie Ward, Chair and Professor
Paul Abraham, Professor, Director of the MATESL Program and the Language and Literacy Program
Judah Axe, Associate Professor, Director of the Special Education Program
Amy Ballin, Associate Professor of Practice
Janet Chumley, Associate Professor of Practice
Ellen Davidson, Associate Professor of Practice, Interim Director of MAT Program
Christine Evans, Associate Professor of Practice, Director of the New England Center for Children Program
Heather Fortin, Lecturer
Daren Graves, Associate Professor
Helen Guttentag, Professor of Practice, Director of Clinical Programs and Undergraduate General Education
Kristin Nelson, Associate Professor of Practice
Theresa Perry, Professor
Additional Teaching Faculty
Agnieszka Bourret
Kathryn Collins
Jane Hardin
Karen Janowski
Kevin Lenane
Bruce Mallory
Janet MacNeil
Karen Price
Julie Rigo
Taryn Snyder
Gina Stefanini
John Ullian
Martha Wall
Lisa Williams
Staff
Suzanne Kowalewski, Licensing Specialist
Patrick Bryant, Department Coordinator
Overview:
Teacher Preparation Programs
Note: The Massachusetts state regulations for licensing may continue to change. Thus, requirements for completing education programs in preparation for licensure may also be modified as the department responds to changes in licensing regulations. The teacher preparation program complies with Massachusetts licensing requirements and with those of the Interstate Certification Com- pact, with licensing reciprocity in 42 states.
Massachusetts requires that all candidates for licensing in all programs in education pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). In order for a candidate to receive a license, that person must 1) success- fully complete all courses and initial licensing requirements of the Simmons program, 2) be recommended for licensure by public school and college faculty at the conclusion of the practicum, and 3) pass all appropriate sections of the MTEL. Candidates seeking out-of-state licensure may additionally be asked to take a similar examination required by that state. Department administrators are available to discuss specific licensing information.
An initial license will be awarded upon recommendation to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after completion of a baccalaureate with a major in one of the liberal arts and sciences and completion of a master’s degree through the five-year Dunn Scholars Program in Elementary or Special Education. The programs below comply with the requirements of the initial license.
Simmons is ending programs in English as a Second Language (ESL) and secondary teaching in all content areas. These programs remain available to students who entered Simmons in the fall of 2016 and earlier, but are not available to students entering Simmons in the fall of 2017 and beyond. Information on these programs can be found in previous catalogs, which can be accessed through the Simmons Registrar.
The Department of Education offers the following teacher preparation programs in 4+1/five-year programs:
Students wishing to become licensed in these fields must enroll in the five-year program.
Independent Learning
All elementary students do 4-8 credits of Independent Learning during the spring of their fourth year. This is completed either through EDUC 350 (4 credits) or EDUC 388 (8 credits).
Kathleen Dunn Scholars
This is an integrated bachelor’s and master’s program for all licensure programs, enabling students to complete a reduced-credit master’s program during their fifth year, and do a year- long internship in a public school classroom. Students applying for this program are known as Kathleen Dunn Scholars. Dunn Scholars take two to five education courses at the undergraduate level (five for a minor) and complete full majors in a liberal arts area. They must complete 4-8 credits of independent learning in education prior to completion of the bachelor’s degree and apply for admission to the appropriate graduate program at the end of their junior/third year.
All Dunn Scholars must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for admission into the graduate programs. Contact the director of undergraduate programs in general education for more information.
A joint social studies-education major is available for students preparing for elementary or special education. See Joint Social Studies-Education Major or contact the director of the general education under- graduate program for further information. All courses in Stages I, II, and III must be taken for a grade and may not be taken pass/ fail. Students must receive a grade of B or higher in every education course. A grade of B- or lower will require the student to repeat the course.
Students in the Dunn Scholars program must have passing scores on the MTEL Communication, Literacy, and other license required tests before being admitted to the practicum. Students must pass the Communication and Literacy tests no later than the end of the junior year and must take their subject matter tests as soon as they have completed all of the courses in the content of their fields. It is strongly advised that elementary students take the Math portion of the elementary subject matter test as soon as they have completed MATH 115 and MATH 116
Joint Social Studies-Education Major Overview
This joint major is designed for students in the elementary and special education 4+1 programs. Courses selected offer the best preparation for the social studies curriculum now mandated by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and taught in public school classrooms and are designed to prepare candidates for the MTEL now required of all elementary and special education teacher candidates. Students should work closely with their advisors in the education department to plan a course of study. In addition to the courses prescribed in the joint major, students should take courses to complete the subject matter core required for licensing (Stage II and Stage III) as well as courses that fulfill the College requirements.
Special Education Overview
In the field of special education, Simmons College offers training for Massachusetts licensure for teachers of students with moderate disabilities (Levels: PreK–8 or 5–12) and teacher of students with severe disabilities (Levels: All). Students interested in these programs are required to enroll in the five-year Accelerated Graduate Program. Students who select one of these programs must also have a major in the liberal arts or sciences. In addition, as mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, all students must document at least 36 semester hours in upper- and lower-level arts and sciences coursework covering composition, American literature, world literature, including British literature, U.S. history from colonial times to present, world history, including European history from ancient times to the present, geography, economics, U.S. government, including founding documents, child development; science laboratory work, and appropriate mathematics and science coursework (Courses under Elementary Teacher (Grades 1-6) are highly recommended for all Special Education students since these courses form the basis of the preparation for the General Curriculum Tests required by all seeking license in Special Education). Students may opt to minor in special education, but a master’s is required to obtain licensure. The five-year Accelerated Graduate Program is the route to licensure in the programs in Special Education.
Moderate Disabilities (Levels: PreK–8 or 5–12) Overview
This concentration prepares students in inclusive education to work with learners with moderate disabilities in grades PreK–8 or 5–12 emphasizing collaborative consultation, general education classroom accommodations, curriculum strategies, and family involvement. The program provides the opportunity and skills to develop effective strategies to work with learners with moderate disabilities in a variety of public or 603 CMR 28.00 approved school settings.
Severe Disabilities (Levels: All) Overview
The severe disabilities (Levels: All) concentration prepares students to work with learners with severe disabilities in inclusive general education classrooms, in self-contained special education classes in general public schools, or in 603 CMR 28.00 approved residential or day schools. The goal is to support meaningful access to curriculum of learners with severe disabilities in inclusive classrooms, the community, and the workplace. Working in preschool, elementary, middle, and high school settings, each student is prepared to teach learners age-appropriate skills using the Massachusetts Curriculum as well as communication techniques, self-help strategies, social behavior skills, and specific vocational training.
Mission Statement
Simmons educates people who share a passion for learning, a commitment to community, and a determination to make a difference. We prepare educators and leaders through clinical experiences and research-based practices in order to enable them to meet the challenges of a more diverse, technological, and global society. We promote equity, excellence, and social justice in a culture of collaboration.
Departmental Honors:
The Department of Education does not designate honors, but does recognize outstanding students by conferring departmental awards at the end of the senior/fourth year.