School of Education Opens Doors
April 17, 2009
Sister Sharon Slear, SSND
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This fall, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland debuts its School of Education, which will offer programs at the baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral levels. In addition, the school will offer new master’s programs—Catholic Teacher Leader, with a concentration in religious studies, and Liberal Studies, with a concentration in education—starting in fall 2009. A new BA/MAT degree with four certifications will also begin in fall 2009. Five other Graduate Studies programs will be phased in through fall 2013.
“The formation of the School of Education affirms College of Notre Dame’s position as a statewide leader in preparing highly competent teachers who play one of the most significant roles in building a stronger and more effective society,” said Mary Pat Seurkamp, president of College of Notre Dame.
“Just as the College has stepped forward to address critical workforce shortages in nursing and pharmacy, we are expanding our education programs to meet the need for educators throughout Maryland.”
We spoke with Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, the Dean of Education at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, about the opportunities offered by the new School of Education. The Daily Record recently named Slear one of the 100 Top Women in Baltimore.
Q: College of Notre Dame has been preparing teachers for quite some time; why did you feel it was necessary to add a school of education?
Slear: College of Notre Dame of Maryland has one of the largest teacher certification programs in the state. Having a School of Education recognizes the quality and success of our teacher education programs and places the college on par with other institutions in the area.
Q: What programs/degrees will you offer at the various levels, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral level?
Slear: The college offers a bachelor of arts in liberal studies/education with an area of interest in early childhood, special education or TESOL. Undergraduate students interested in education may elect to do a BA/MAT program.
On the graduate level, students may enroll in a master’s in teaching (MAT) program, a master’s in leadership in teaching (LDT) program or an accelerated teaching certification (ACT) program.
Post-master’s students may elect to take courses for post-master’s certification in administration and supervision, library media specialist, reading specialist or TESOL, or they may enroll in CASE, a 30-hour program for experienced educators, which results in a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education in Instructional Leadership.
The college also offers a Ph.D. program in instructional leadership for changing populations.
Q: What is the new BA/MAT degree and what is its advantage?
Slear: The BA/MAT degree allows students to complete their master’s program in the year following their undergraduate degree and provides them with additional learning and expertise before their entry into a full-time teaching position.
Q: Will this School of Education allow you to accommodate more students, and if so, how many?
Slear: Several new programs are planned for the five years following the opening of the School of Education. These courses will provide opportunities for several hundred new students over the years of implementation.
Q: Can these programs be done part time while working another job?
Slear: All the graduate programs offered at College of Notre Dame of Maryland are planned with the working professional in mind. Courses are offered in the evenings, on weekends and in the summer. Flexibility of timing allows the programs to be adapted to meet the needs of special groups or cohorts.
Q: Should those planning to be teachers count on getting a master’s degree? Do they need it right away, or should they teach a bit first?
Slear: The decision to get a master’s degree right away or later is one the individual has to make in light of their personal circumstances. Finances often play a role in the person’s decision. Some school systems will help to underwrite graduate study for employed teachers. Increased knowledge and experience are both beneficial to beginning teachers.
Q: How bad is the teacher shortage in Maryland?
Slear: While the teacher shortage is not as acute as it was several years ago, good teachers are always wanted and needed.
Q: What subject areas need teachers the most, and at what levels?
Slear: The shortage is more evident in certain specialized areas such as science, math, Spanish and special education. In some districts, there is a continuous need for English and ESOL teachers.
Q: Teachers were once relegated to the “pink ghetto” salary-wise. Is that still true today?
Slear: Salary scales vary from district to district, but it is still true in many areas that teachers are paid far less than their counterparts in the corporate world.
Q: Often, after having kids, moms realize they would like to have a school-hours job, making teaching attractive. Do you have programs to make it easy for those with another degree to become a teacher?
Slear: The ACT program is designed specifically for those who have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than teaching.
For more information, visit the college’s Web site at www.ndm.edu
