Nearly 70 students from the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development who achieved teacher candidacy in the past year were celebrated at the college\u2019s third annual Pinning and Recognition Ceremony on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe started this tradition with a simple goal in mind: To recognize our students who have reached a key milestone in their professional development,\u201d said Justin Dimmel, associate dean for academics and student engagement. \u201cTeachers transform the lives of their students, and have a positive impact on their schools, organizations and communities every single day. As the largest educator preparation and training program in the state, the College of Education and Human Development is the standard bearer for producing high-caliber teachers, ready to step into classrooms as soon as they graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To become teacher candidates, UMaine education students complete a series of five foundational courses that explore teaching as a profession and provide training in several core skills needed to become highly-effective educators. They also take part in field placements in schools and other educational settings, including five full days (about 30 hours) of classroom observation, and produce a portfolio that includes reflections on those experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The classroom observation is one of several opportunities the university\u2019s education majors have to work directly with PreK-12 teachers and students during their program of study. After achieving teacher candidacy, these students continue to take academically-demanding coursework while engaging in field experiences \u2014 all of which helps prepare them for student teaching, and ultimately, to become fully-certified teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n