Cert Masters: Elementary Education with Elementary (1-6) & Special Education Teacher Certification

Create Learning Experiences that Matter for All Students

Enrolling in the College of Education teacher preparation program actively and uniquely engages you throughout your studies in working with K-12 students as they learn and develop in informal and formal learning settings. The Elementary and Special Education Teacher Certification program with the option to earn a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education is designed for students who are interested in obtaining Missouri teacher certification in Elementary Education and Special Education. The addition of four special education courses to the Elementary curriculum prepares the teacher for inclusive classrooms and self-contained mild-moderate special education classrooms.

The College of Education recognizes that we prepare educators for a variety of roles and a variety of contexts (i.e. P-12 schools, youth serving organizations, museums, zoos, gardens, nature centers, after school programs, tutoring/mentoring programs, businesses, legislative offices, etc.) all of which impact student learning. We want to prepare community educators as well as P-12 classroom teachers who can provide relevance, application, and meaning to student learning in developmentally, socially, and culturally responsive ways. As a teacher candidate, you will work with students in youth serving agencies to support them in non-traditional settings. You will also gain valuable practical knowledge by applying university course content to interactions with young learners in academically focused content-based community agencies such the St. Louis Chess Club, Powder Valley, and many United Way agencies.

Educator candidates actively engage in unique practicum experiences in the Studio School Model for clinical practice. As Missouri's leader, the College partners with 36 different public, private, and charter schools. As a College, we take great pride in preparing "community educators" who are well-experienced to impact all students in a wide variety of settings, and with a much broader understanding of education's role in society. Our candidates make a collective impact as faculty members in the differentiated staffing model. Sought after by partner districts and agencies, many of our graduates are hired directly into the studio schools or districts where they complete their clinical preparation.

Our teacher programs offer unique capstone experiences, two practica in “Studio Schools.” These are schools and districts where design happens, using a “differentiated staffing” plan. Specifically, teacher candidates will work in the school site as a faculty member, planning and teaching to provide in-depth support, flexibility, and intervention for K–12 students where it’s needed. The focus of this model is on K–12 student learning. Teacher candidates, supported by the supervisor and school site mentor, will impact K–12 students in multiple, varied and wide ranging grade level, achievement and subject specific contexts. These can include small group settings, whole class lessons, enrichment and support lessons all focused learning experiences.

Unique Resources and Innovations:

• Launch session to build community, provide early guidance, and share essential information
• Grand Seminars and Collaborative Exchanges throughout the practicum experiences.

Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA):

• Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA)
• Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES)

Clinical Experience:

• 20 clock hours working in a community agency
• 2 site-based practicum courses immersed in a Studio School
• Practicum One: 2 days per week working as a Triton Teacher
• Practicum Two: 4 days per week working as a Triton Teacher