Urban Courses & Student Teaching

Urban Courses & Field Experiences
Project SMART and the Center for Urban Schools in the School of Education are resource centers for communication among students, staff, faculty, and others who are interested in urban education issues. The initiatives of the Center for Urban Schools support the School of Education’s goal to provide every graduate a field experience in an urban high needs school setting. For more information, contact Dr. Pat Russo, Director of the Center for Urban Schools (310 Park Hall, 315-312-2632).

Center for Urban Schools Goals

The Center for Urban Schools works to help the School of Education meet its commitment to teaching for social justice.We also work to help them establish a presence in those schools where student poverty rates are the highest, student diversity is the norm not the exception, educational resources are extremely scarce, and where student achievement as well as teacher availability are the lowest; namely New York State urban schools.     Our goals align with others on campus such as the School of Education Diversity Committee; Project SMART Professional Development efforts; and the campus Admissions offices. 


Our Goals Include:

  • Increasing the number of education graduates who take positions in urban schools.
  • Increasing urban placements for pre-teachers.
  • Supporting urban teachers via partnership arrangements.
  • Maintaining partnerships with other urban educators (schools, universities and agencies).
  • Supporting faculty, pre-teachers and graduate students in their study and/or urban education partnership work.
  • Increasing the number of urban students in the education programs.
  • Seeking funds to support a variety of urban education initiatives.

Student Teaching in New York City and Overseas
Some of the most exciting and rewarding teaching positions are in New York City or overseas. Opportunities for fulfilling student teaching requirements in New York City are offered through collaboration with the SUNY Urban Teacher Education Center (SUTEC, http://www.suny.edu/sutec/). Opportunities for student teaching in Australia, Bolivia, and New Zealand are offered through the SUNY Oswego Office of International Education & Programs.

Contact Ms. Nichole Brown, Field Placement Office Director (175 Wilber Hall, 315-312-3098) or Dr. Pat Russo (310 Park Hall, 315-312-2632) for more information.