Saint Michael's College

NOTE: Course descriptions are listed in numerical order.

GED 510 Becoming a Literacy Leader: Tools and Strategies for Success (3 cr.)
Instructor: Liz Marino
Monday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This interactive and student-centered course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead improvements in literacy instruction and student achievement in their schools or districts. Various models of literacy leadership, professional development, literacy instruction and literacy intervention will be examined. It is strongly recommended that students be currently working in a school in order to fulfill the project requirement for this class. This course is highly recommended for students in the M.Ed. and C.A.G.S. Reading Concentrations.  It is open to all graduate education students interested in leading improvements in literacy instruction and intervention.  Prerequisites: At least 6 credits in literacy-related coursework at the graduate level.

GED 511 Fundamentals of Curriculum (3 cr.)
Instructor: John L. Barone, Sr.
Wednesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course explores a variety of perspectives on the meaning of curriculum. It examines the psychological, philosophical, historical, and sociological roots of curriculum frameworks that underlie contemporary educational systems. Theory is linked to contrasting practical models for curriculum planning, design, implementation, and evaluation.

GED 516 The Decision to Teach (3 cr.)
Instructor: Ilene Levitt
Tuesday, 4:30pm-7:30pm
This course reviews the role of teacher in contemporary education and includes at least 20 hours of focused observation outside of class time. Students examine the practical and philosophical influences on teachers¡¯ decision making processes in relation to curriculum, motivation, educational history, management, instructional strategy, and Vermont's Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. The emphasis is on critical and creative reflection of readings, observations, and in-class discussions and activities. Students gain the experience of planning and teaching lessons during the course. Students emerge from the course with a personal philosophy of education. Required writing assessment for candidacy is included in this course.

GED 517 Teaching Nonfiction in the Elementary Grades (3 cr.)
Instructor: Valerie Bang-Jensen
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30 pm
The old adage, "first you learn to read, then you read to learn," has often limited the literacy experiences of primary and elementary students to reading and writing fiction. Become familiar with theory, methods and materials for exploring literacy across the curriculum with emergent and fluent elementary readers and writers. The course will focus on nonfiction; topics will also include visual and critical literacies, defining and expanding notions of "text" and the development of text-sets, the role of children's literature, and consideration of the Common Core Standards. Participants will have an opportunity to create curriculum relevant to their teaching settings.

GED 520 Child and Adolescent Development (3 cr.)
Instructor: Aostre Johnson
Monday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course provides an analysis of early, middle, and late adolescence through an exploration of varied theories of development, as well as contemporary cultural and historical issues that influence it. The course examines the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, moral, and spiritual aspects of development.

GED 522 Teaching Literacy in the Elementary Classroom (3cr.)
Instructor: Janet Bellavance
Wednesday, 4:30pm-7:30pm
This course is designed to provide pre-licensure students, novice teachers, and those returning to the field with an overview of literacy development and instruction.  Elements of reading and instructional approaches will be introduced, including: reading and writing workshop, word study, read aloud, guided reading, mini-lessons, language experience approach, literature circles, and response journals.  Class sessions will combine whole and small group instruction, reading response groups, presentations, video snippets, and two offsite classroom visitations.  This course is practical in nature and will combine knowledge of child development with effective teaching practices. It is a requirement in the Elementary Education Licensure program.   Practicing teachers are encouraged to take GED 606 - Literacy Development and Instruction in the Elementary Classroom.

GED 528 K-8 Curriculum, Assessment and Management (4 cr.)
Instructor: Anne Tewksbury-Frye
Wednesday, 4:30pm-7:45pm
Students will come to a personal understanding of community and how it relates to an elementary classroom culture and curriculum. Using the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities, and the multiple lenses of a place based education, service learning, diversity in student population, and differing socio-economic backgrounds, participants will develop a comprehensive integrated unit of study, based on the UbD Framework. Classroom management and structure are included as foundations for success. The class provides an opportunity for participants to explore their personal education philosophy about teaching and learning through readings and discussion. Prerequisite: Must have taken GED 516 The Decision to Teach.

GED 534 Assessment and Instruction in Reading (3 cr.)
Instructor: Kristin Gehsmann
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:45pm
This course is designed to help teachers deepen their understanding of assessment and instruction in reading. We will explore a wide variety of summative and formative assessments as well as examine the relationship between assessment and well-chosen instruction. Participants will use measures in each of the five elements of reading instruction to observe students, determine strengths and needs, and make recommendations for instruction. Participants must have access to an individual student for a minimum of 60 minutes a week in order to complete case study requirements. This course meets the reading assessment requirement for the reading concentration and the Reading/English Language Arts Specialist endorsement.  Prerequisites:  GED 522, GED 606, or permission of the instructor.

GED 547 Middle and Secondary Curriculum and Assessment (4 cr.)
Instructor: Claudine Bedell
Wednesday, 4:30-7:45pm
This course offers current and prospective middle and secondary educators the opportunity to increase their knowledge of content area curriculum and assessment design. We will critically examine and apply curriculum theory, instructional and assessment strategies, content knowledge, and teaching and learning standards while constructing lesson plans, assessment tasks and tools, and content area units. Together, in an interactive learning environment emphasizing reflective thinking, writing, dialogue, and collaboration, we will explore the integral role of curriculum and assessment in fostering student learning and growth.

GED 562 Thesis Research (3cr.)
By Arrangement Only
The Thesis is an in-depth research study that contributes to the existing body of knowledge in the field of education. The student works with an advisor planning, researching and writing the Thesis.  This is a two semester course with a grade of XT given at the end of the first semester.  Students meet with their academic advisors to discuss topics and projects before registering.
Prerequisite: GED 558 Introduction to Educational Research and permission from advisor.

GED 580 Approaches to Teaching the Humanities (2 cr.)
Instructor: Katie Lenox
Thursdays: Jan. 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, March 22, 29 (5:00pm - 7:30 pm)
And Saturday, March 31 (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
Two essential questions will guide our inquiry in Approaches to Teaching the Humanities:
1)    What are "best practices" in regards to teaching middle and high school in general and English and social studies in particular, and how can we incorporate them into our teaching routines?
2)    What are the more compelling of the many (and diverse) middle and high school reform initiatives, and how can we incorporate those we deem worthy into our practice of teaching the humanities? 
We will consider these two questions by following several parallel strands: content specific considerations, emerging and noteworthy issues, views of expert practitioners from the field, and the development of a "pedagogical toolkit" to help you as you begin your practices. Our investigation will close with participants presenting a "mini-lesson" during our final Saturday class.

GED 581 Supporting Students with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges (3 cr.)
Instructor: Richard Reid
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course examines commonly occurring emotional and behavioral disorders of childhood and how they influence student learning. Participants will develop an understanding of specific disorders that can serve to inform appropriate instructional strategies and interventions. Empirically derived and research supported interventions and strategies to support these students will be explored An emphasis will be placed on structuring general education learning environments to accommodate the needs of a diverse range of students, as well as the identification of specific programs and strategies to support children with various disabilities. General educators will gain skills and knowledge to incorporate into their classrooms while special educators will expand their base of knowledge to support their consultation to general education personnel.

GED 587 Approaches to Teaching Math, Science and Technology (2 cr.)
Instructor: David Rome
Thursday, 5:30pm-8:00 pm: Jan. 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 8, 22, 29; April 5
Burlington High School, Room B-212
This approaches to teaching course studies best practices in teaching math, science and technology in diverse classrooms. How secondary math and science are currently taught will be explored to discover the various philosophies and dispositions. Students will investigate technological and communication skills, as well as instructional strategies to most effectively teach within the discipline they have chosen. This course will focus on Vermont¡¯s professional standards for teaching and the Vermont standards and grade expectations for students. Held at Burlington High School, 52 Institute Road, Room B-212.

GED 596 Digital Media (3 cr.)
Instructor: Matt Neckers
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
A $10.00 material's fee due at registration.
Digital media expand student engagement with knowledge-based and experiential learning. Through this hands-on course, educators build technical and creative skills to develop their own digital media projects. Participants will also reflect on their own digital media projects, as well as those of their peers. Finally they will explore practical ways to integrate digital media into their individual curriculum. Topics include video production, digital photography, photo editing, illustration, web publishing, digital storytelling, animation, game design, and audio editing. This course fulfills the technology requirement for arts licensure candidates and is an elective in both the arts in education and technology M.Ed. concentrations. Cross listed with GSA 586.

GED 607 Literacy Instruction for Struggling Adolescents: Intervention and Classroom Practices (3 cr.)
Instructor: Bob Schwartz
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
The What Works Clearinghouse, the International Reading Association, and the National Council of Teachers of English have all examined research on effective classroom and intervention practices for struggling adolescents. This course is designed to build on this knowledge base as we explore ways to assess and adjust literacy instruction to the strengths and needs of adolescent students.

GED 613 Mathematics in a K-8 Classroom (3 cr.)
Instructor: Tim Whiteford
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course helps current and future classroom teachers develop a deep and flexible understanding of elementary and middle school mathematics. Students will actively solve problems and visualize mathematical concepts. Lessons are designed to stretch students' thinking to create a vision for the learning trajectory (scope and sequence) of K-8th grade mathematics. Through careful examination of and practice with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards, students will develop the necessary skills to teach math in a standard-based system.

GED 621 Supervision, Evaluation and Teacher Development (3 cr.)
Instructor: Brian O'Regan
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
In this course students will look at, from a systems perspective, the main functions of the administrator as supervisor and evaluator. Students will examine effective pedagogy and theories of adult and teacher development as the foundation for meaningful supervision, growth and evaluation of staff. Students will explore mentoring, coaching, and supervision in the context of the professional learning community. Throughout the semester they will develop and practice the skills needed to effectively supervise, promote growth and evaluate staff, from novice to expert, competent to incompetent.

GED 633 Legal and Professional Issues in Special Education (3 cr.)
Instructor: Beth Peterson
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
Students will come to understand the legal rights and requirements that affect learners with
isabilities and their families. The interpersonal aspects of the special educator's role and current issues in special education are explored. Students participate outside of class in a required family based practicum entitled, "Parents as Teachers."

GED 635 Middle Grades Organizational Strand (3 cr.)
Instructor: Laura Nichols
Wednesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course is designed to teach the philosophy of middle school culture and middle school organizational structure.  You will learn about the adolescent brain, culture of the middle school years, and current issues regarding education of this population.  Teaming, collaboration with families and community, what motivates adolescents and how the brain is shaped at this critical time in an individual's development, will be emphasized.  Active discussion, projects, and practical application will be used to enhance learning experiences in this course.

GED 641 Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom: K-12 (3 cr.)
Instructor: Beth Peterson
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
In this course participants will learn how to teach and accommodate students with disabilities and other differences in any regular classroom. Basic special education history and laws will be examined. Participants will explore the complex nature of serving students with special needs and discover specific strategies for making inclusion work. Participants will be responsible for finding a student to tutor for 2 hours per week to complete a case study as a part of the course requirements.

GED 644 Approaches to Teaching Students with Special Needs (2 cr.)
Instructor: Joanne Godek
Tuesday, 5:00-7:30pm
Dates: Jan. 17, 24, Feb. 7, 21, March 6, 27, April 3, 10, 17, May 1
Students focus on a variety of skills and approaches to build inclusive and successful programs for students. Topics include co-teaching, working with paraprofessionals, remedial strategies and accommodations, alternate assessment, administering COACH, and more. This course is specifically designed for special educators who are teaching students with a variety of disabilities inside and outside the classroom.

GED 651 Hands On! Learning in and through the Visual Arts (3 cr.)
Instructor: Ann Joppe-Mercure
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
Classroom teachers and arts teachers are invited to explore and celebrate the power of the visual arts. Through hands-on activities participants will experience art making in a variety of mediums, learn how to compose and integrate standards-based lesson designs and authentic assessment, and make connections to interdisciplinary themes and address 21st century learning. With guidance and support, participants will work on technique and vision. Projects will be applicable to both the classroom and to one's growth and enrichment as an artist. A $50.00 materials fee is required and due at registration.