Elementary Education

The undergraduate teacher education programs at the University of Maine are fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Students preparing to be elementary teachers spend the first two years building solid liberal arts background, technological competencies and subject area concentrations. They are also guided in the examination of public school classrooms and other settings that provide educational and related service to children and youth.

In their second year of study students apply for teacher candidacy by submitting a portfolio that includes a transcript of their academic work to date which reflects a grade point average of at least 2.5, an analysis of one school field experience with children or adolescents, documentation of technological competence, an essay reflecting upon an educational topic and documentation of passing the state required PRAXIS I examination. Students continue to work on their portfolios over the next two years, and they become major documentation of their professional development as teachers. For more information about the PRAXIS exam, visit www.umaine.edu/ois/examhelp.htm.

Students accepted to teacher candidacy at the end of their second year become immersed in the daily life and issues of public school during an intensive Education semester, a prelude to student teaching. Future teachers learn and teach along with veteran teachers and get involved in many efforts to address the needs of students and schools.

Students graduate from our programs and enter the teaching profession with experience, an authentic view of schools and an understanding that teaching, learning and professional development are lifetime endeavors.

Elementary Concentrations (24 credits) include: art, Canadian studies, disability studies, English, environmental education, French, German, history, honors, human development, international affairs, mathematics, music, Native American studies, natural sciences, peace studies, performing arts, philosophy, psychology, social sciences, Spanish, and women’s studies.

Students must meet teacher candidacy requirements prior to the third year:

• 2.5 grade-point average
• field experience requirement and essay
• technology competency
• PRAXIS I examination