Foreword
Welcome to the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education. In an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust between and among faculty and candidates, the Department—in conjunction with other departments throughout the University and with area school districts, sites, and agencies—prepares candidates to be professional educators excited about teaching and committed to life-long learning.
The Department of Early and Middle Grades Education provides programs that are based on principles of developmentally appropriate practice and research-based decision making. The Department prepares teachers to serve the needs of diverse populations of children and young adolescents through the development of active, constructive, and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. Many co-curricular clubs and service opportunities complement the Department’s programs; candidates are encouraged to explore the many opportunities the campus offers.
Many graduates of the Department teach in Pennsylvania. In addition, West Chester University’s graduates have obtained teaching assignments in schools across the nation and are well prepared for teaching in American schools abroad, for work with agencies such as the Peace Corps, and for rewarding careers in a variety of settings that serve the needs of children and young adolescents.
Many graduates pursue advanced degrees. They are well prepared to enter institutions with strong graduate programs in education and related fields.
We, the Faculty, offer you best wishes for a successful and rewarding undergraduate education at West Chester University in the Department of Early and Middle Grades Education.
Revised, May 2015