BGSU Inclusive Early Childhood Education Graduates are Innovative Classroom Teachers
The Early Childhood Inclusive Education Program at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) prepares teachers to educate the youngest of school-age children with a solid foundation for learning. “This program is an example of innovation as it relates to making sure our students at the earliest stage have opportunities to develop and be successful in their lives,” says Rodney Rogers, president of Bowling Green State University. As a public university, BGSU sees itself as serving the public good and views the College of Education & Human Development as a place where all teacher candidates are prepared to meet the needs of their students. Teachers who graduate from the program are ready to enter the classrooms with the skills to accommodate all students.
Sandy Frisch, superintendent of the Education Service Center of Lake Erie West, asserts that the competition for these teachers are high. They often have to compete with other school districts for BGSU graduates and there are concerted efforts by the districts to hire these graduates. School districts want to invest in BGSU graduates not only because they have the documentation that says they can teach in an inclusive environment but because these teacher candidates are quality teachers in the classroom. Lynn Pearson is the director of early childhood education at Toledo Public Schools claims that these teachers can write outstanding Individual Education Plans, collaborate with colleagues, manage a classroom, give and receive feedback, and use evidence-based teaching strategies.
The efficacy of the program also demonstrates itself in the further professional development of graduates from BGSU. As teachers enter the classroom and gain experience, they often look for other opportunities to expand their skillset. Many inclusive education teachers obtain additional certifications, such as a reading specialist’s certification, to complement the intervention skills they already developed as teachers of record.
To learn more, view the video highlighting the BGSU Early Childhood Inclusive Education Program, part of AACTE’s Research-to-Practice Spotlight Series.
Tags: AACTE partner organizations, clinical preparation, early childhood education, school-university partnerships, secondary education, shortage, special education, teacher quality, workforce development
