Prospective Students
Vision
The best social justice program a nation can offer its children is a great education. A free and just democratic nation must have a well-educated, personally responsible and responsive citizenry who are given every opportunity to fulfill their purpose in life, including raising healthy families that make up and contribute to the community. This opportunity begins in the home and ultimately includes the classroom, the workplace and larger society.
To provide such an education, we need teachers deeply committed to academic excellence, equity, and integrity; who work diligently to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to teach every child as though they were teaching their own; who collaborate with the parents of their students, other educators and policy makers; and who use technology and other resources as a means to maximize achievement and opportunities.
The integrity and character of great teachers prompts them to hold themselves accountable and to join alongside others to do the hard work it takes to make this vision a reality for all the students assigned to their classrooms.
Credentials Offered
- Multiple Subject Preliminary
- Single Subject Preliminary
- Education Specialist, Level I Mild/Moderate
- Education Specialist, Level II Mild/Moderate
Program Overview
The CGU Teacher Education Internship Program combines full-time employment in urban schools with the opportunity to earn a preliminary credential and master's degree in just four semesters. We prepare public school teachers to teach multiple or single subjects to culturally, economically and linguistically diverse students.
After successful completion of an initial summer (or spring and summer) term, students are eligible for an internship credential. Interns are employed as fully-salaried teachers in elementary or secondary public school classrooms as they continue their academic work toward their M.A. degree in education and credential. The CGU program provides intensive preparation in teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students. In addition to special preparation in English language development, the program provides special emphasis in the teaching of reading and writing across all grades and content areas.
Program Structure
Step 1
The Vision, The Commitment and Getting Started
First Summer Semester (or Spring and First Summer)
Participate in inspiring coursework around the vision and practice of excellence, equity and integrity, as well as experience intensive classroom teaching alongside a master teacher as you embark upon the first term. The first summer is filled with opportunities to define and affirm your vision and commitment to teaching diverse students through the development of portfolios; participation in workshops on race, culture and class; and a literacy practicum with youth and their families. Both career fairs and job search, credential, and test preparation workshops will guide you into your first teaching position.
Step 2
The Practice of Excellence, Equity and Integrity
Fall Semester
Receive personal mentoring from a faculty advisor while teaching in a school district. Ten full-day Saturday sessions will provide you with opportunities to develop rich and productive classroom environments, plan high quality instruction and assessment using the California standards, design classroom activities appropriate for English language learners, experience distinguished visiting lecturers, and work directly with mentors. The fall also marks the beginning of an in-depth classroom study that guides a reflection and evaluation of your own growth as a teacher.
Step 3
Promoting Social Justice and Academic Excellence and Integrity
Spring Semester
As you continue teaching, begin to analyze your classroom, school and the society for ways to promote social justice, academic excellence and integrity from your classroom. This will guide you to expand the classroom study as the larger picture of schooling emerges. The ten Saturday sessions will help you focus on long-term planning and more engaging classroom activities. Distinguished lecturers will present on topics such as social justice, learning theory, and cultural diversity. Faculty advisors will continue to support you through their roles as mentors.
Step 4
Developing a Personal Philosophy, New Goals and Advanced Skills
Second Summer Semester
Conclude your program with full time study designed to support the development of a personal philosophy. Create new goals for yourself and learn advanced skills in teaching in this final step.Elective courses chosen to complete the M.A. will allow you to focus on your emerging interests in educational philosophy, theory, curriculum, administration, and/or policy. You are now prepared to begin a fulfilling career in teaching.
