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Teaching Literacy (birth through grade 6): Focus on Classroom Teaching
Peggy McNamara, Director: 212-875-4586
Master of Science in Education: 45 credits
This 45-credit program leads to Literacy Certification (birth to grade 6). This program sequence is especially designed for individuals who are recent recipients of initial or provisional certification in Childhood Education or Early Childhood Education and who are seeking a master's degree in Literacy. This program is right for you if you are hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the reading and writing process, and to recognize when children are having difficulty with the normal process of learning to read and write.
Course work and field experience will give you the opportunity to develop a knowledge base for working with native English speakers, English language learners, and children with special needs from a broad range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Particular emphasis is placed on helping you understand the links between assessment and instruction, develop a wide repertoire of teaching strategies, and learn to address the academic, intellectual and emotional strengths and needs of children in your classroom.
The program views reading, writing, and language development as integrated processes. Course work and field experiences are designed to help you to work both independently and collaboratively with other teachers, parents, and other professionals to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Certification in Education
You will earn professional New York State certification in Teaching Literacy (birth through grade 6), preparing you to work as a classroom teacher with a focus on literacy or as a specialist in the area of reading, writing and language arts. If you have earned provisional or initial certification in New York State in teacher education and you are within the time limit for completing your master's degree set by New York State, this master's degree will lead to permanent or professional certification in your first certification area.
Supervised Fieldwork/Advisement
During one academic year, while you take courses, you will gain teaching experience and intensive advisory support through supervised fieldwork/advisement. Fieldwork will include experiences designing and implementing individual, small group, and whole class instruction. Classroom teachers may use their own classroom as their primary fieldwork site, but this experience must be supplemented with additional supervised instructional experience under the supervision of a reading or literacy specialist that documents their competency working with a broader range of children within the certification category.
Throughout your year of supervised fieldwork/advisement, your advisor will visit you in your setting each month. You will meet individually twice a month with your Bank Street advisor, and you will gather with a small, supportive peer group once a week throughout the fall and spring terms. The year of supervision and advisement is central to your professional growth and development as you become a successful educator.
Integrative Master's Project
Before graduating, you will complete an independent study (master's thesis), mentored directed essay, seminar-based master's project, or portfolio. Your choice will depend on your own goals and learning style. This project allows you to pursue an area of particular interest to you, or to weave together the threads and understandings of your Bank Street graduate experience.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the Literacy program who seek certification as reading specialists in Teaching Literacy must have initial or provisional certification in teaching.
Further information
- Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions (212-875-4404) to ask questions or to schedule an informational interview.
- Download a printable flyer for this program, including course requirements.
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