Early Childhood/Elementary Program

Program Details

Total credit hours: 40
Program start date: June
Program length: 12-13 months of full-time study
View the current program of study in the course catalog
Faculty: Students in this program may work with the following faculty members: Kasi Allen, Kip Ault, Sara Exposito, Alejandra Favela, Vern Jones, Katheryn Kondylis, Christine Moore, Nancy Nagel, Cindi Swingen, Marty Voge, Zaher Wahab, and Maika Yeigh.

"You are an intellectual. You are a professional. You can make change."—Program graduate

“Without the guidance and education I received at LC I would not have been able to find such success this early in my teaching career. I feel eternally grateful and honored that I was able to participate in such a program in an amazing cohort, under the guidance of such wonderful professors.”—McKenna Melton ’06

The elementary preservice program at Lewis & Clark is unique and strong in many ways:

• Interns spend an entire year with one group of children at a school – from beginning to end they are able to witness the development of a group of children over time and to obtain first-hand experience of an entire school year. Many area administrators have commented that hiring a Lewis & Clark graduate is like hiring a second-year teacher—you’re that well-prepared.

• Our program is highly respected by educators across the Pacific Northwest. Many of our applicants come to us because of a recommendation from someone in the field.

• Our curriculum is progressive and constructivist. We not only prepare you very well for teaching—we expect you to be a leader in the field who fights for social justice and change.

• Placements for the yearlong internship are in diverse settings throughout the Portland metropolitan area.

• Our program is based on a cohort model where interns have the support and learn from a group of highly intelligent and qualified students and faculty.

What to Expect

Our program begins in mid-June. You and your cohort members spend this first summer of the program on the Lewis & Clark campus, taking classes, building relationships, and beginning to prepare for student teaching. Beginning in late August, you will join your mentor at your school site to prepare the classroom for the arrival of children and the start of the school year. Student teaching sites include schools in the Portland Public, Reynolds, David Douglas, and West-Linn/Wilsonville districts, among many others.

During the fall semester, which concludes just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, you will be on campus with your cohort three days a week and at your school site for two full days. In December and during the first week of January, you will be at your school site fulltime. In the spring semester, the emphasis shifts even more heavily to student teaching—you will be at your school site three full days per week and taking classes on campus the remaining two days. Following spring break and through the end of the school year, you will be teaching at your site fulltime. During this time, you can expect to will plan, prepare, and teach for six full weeks. The year concludes with time spent co-teaching with your mentor, and a return to campus for a weekly for seminar with their cohort and the conclusion of any outstanding coursework (such as Core courses).

How to Apply

Visit the admissions website for more information on applying to the Early Childhood/Elementary Program. If you would like more information about the program, please feel free to contact the faculty coordinators with questions.

Find the Information You Need

Information Nights for Prospective Students
Scholarships for Prospective Teachers
Testing Required for EC/EL Initial License

For Current Students

Forms
Licensing Instructions: Information on how to apply for your Initial Teaching License after you have completed your program.

Program Planning Sheet

 

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