Curriculum and Instruction

Overview

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is distinguished by our focus on diversity. We value diversity, as evidenced by our commitment to

• a diverse faculty;
• a curriculum grounded in authentic (real-world) learning and teaching for social justice;
• study of and field experiences in diverse schools;
• diversity of ideas and experiences (of faculty and students);
• a diverse student body.

Our commitment to authentic learning and teaching for social justice means you will have practice teaching in schools with student diversity and learn from faculty with a wide range of schooling, travel and intellectual interests. We want to help you look beyond the experiences you have already had.

By the time you graduate you will have spent more than 100 hours visiting many different classrooms and two seven-week (full-time) student teaching experiences.

All our nationally accredited (NCATE: National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education) teacher preparation programs address lesson planning, organizing for instruction, assessment and classroom management. In addition to basic information, our students have numerous field placement opportunities (five clinical experiences across four semesters). We partner with school districts throughout Central New York, Rochester, Utica, Albany, the Onondaga Nation School and New York City, plus schools in Australia, Benin, New Zealand and India.

Majors and Programs

Curriculum and Instruction is a large, multi-faceted department with many dynamic and challenging program opportunities. The department unites a diverse interdisciplinary faculty, a talented student body, authentic learning and field experience opportunities, and an alumni network of teachers and administrators in the field.  

Undergraduates have opportunities to enter one of three field-based programs:

• Adolescence Education (grades 7-12) with concentrations in Mathematics, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics), Modern Languages (French, Spanish,or German), English or Social Studies.
• Childhood Education (grades 1-6) with concentrations in Mathematics, Sciences, Modern Languages (French, Spanish or German), English, Social Studies, the Arts and Women’s Studies.
• TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) (grades K-12) with a concentration in Linguistics.

Graduate Students with degrees in Education can enroll in one of the following “Professional Certification” programs:

• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) (30 sh)
• Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) (30 sh)
• Literacy (Birth – Grade 6; or Grades 5-12) (33 sh)
• Special Education (grades 1-6) (36 sh)
• Special Education (grades 1-6) (30 sh)

Graduate Students who have an Arts and Sciences degree can enroll in one of the following Initial Certification programs:

• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) (16 month cohort model: 48 sh, summer, fall, spring, summer) 
• Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) for Mathematics, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics), Modern Languages (French, Spanish,or German), English and Social Studies (44 sh, summer, fall, spring, summer)
  - or -
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Initial Certification programs in: Art (42 sh), Chemistry (52 sh) or Mathematics (48 sh) 

Student Opportunities

• The Center for Urban Schools serves as a resource center for communication among prospective and current students, staff, faculty and educators interested in urban education issues or engaged in urban education activities.
• Extensive field placement opportunities in nearly 50 rural, suburban, urban, international and Onondaga Nation schools.
• Elective field placement opportunities: Two-week immersion in schools in Syracuse, New York City, Benin, Kenya and India.
• TESOL undergraduate students can participate in a partnership with the local Oswego County BOCES Migrant Education program.
• Students can collaborate with faculty and teachers and present at our on-campus Quest day, as well as in regional and national conferences.
• Scholarships (from $250 to full tuition) are available.
• Intensive Teacher Institute in Bilingual Education (ITI-BE) Scholarships are available to TESOL students.
• Work-study positions provide opportunities for eligible students to work closely with faculty members.
• Teacher Opportunity Corp (Teacher Recruitment for Urban Schools Today: TRUST) grant opportunities are available to urban students.
• The Kappa Delta Pi honor society inducts eligible students.
• Students in the Literacy and Special Education graduate programs participate in a semester-long Literacy Clinic where they work with K-12 students in Syracuse, Baldwinsville, Fulton, Oswego and the Onondaga Nation School.

Faculty

The 33 interdisciplinary Curriculum and Instruction faculty are both scholars and teachers who represent a broad range of travel, teaching and study experiences in the U.S. and abroad. Twenty-five percent of our faculty are people of color, including those of African-American, Caribbean, Kenyan, Chinese and Brazilian heritage. Most faculty have taught in and have ongoing partnerships with rural, suburban and/or urban school districts.

Curriculum and Instruction faculty have been honored by SUNY for teaching, service, and research:

• Dr. Alfred Frederick is a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor
• Drs. Harrison Yang and Sharon Kane are recipients of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching  
• Dr. Barbara Beyerbach was awarded the SUNY Research Foundation Outstanding Researcher/Scholar Award

Curriculum and Instruction faculty are involved internationally, teaching, presenting, publishing and/or fostering faculty/student exchange partnerships in China, Brazil, Benin, India, Kenya and Turkey.  These experiences provide rich, dynamic, meaningful classroom discussions about current issues and challenges in education today.

Ann, Jean
Beyerbach, Barbara -- Web Page
Burrell, Marcia -- Web Page (Interim Chair)
Crary, Cathy
Davis, R Deborah -- Web Page
Fairbrother, Anne -- Web Page
Fenlon, Amanda -- Web Page
Frederick, Alfred
Gaines, Sylvia
Garii, Barbara
Hallagan, Jean
Hampton, Bonita
Kagan, Jennifer
Kane, Sharon
Kibbey, Jacquelyn
Kyle, Sandy (Undergraduate Advisement Coordinator)
Lord, Linda
MacEntee, Virginia
Maina, Faith
McKeever, Carolyn
Murray, Maria
Olson, Eric
Ormsby, Jan (C&I Secretary)
O'Toole, Joanne
Parsons, Dennis -- Web Page
Peng, Bruce Long
Ramalho, Tania -- Web Page
Russo, Pat --Web Page
Schnorr, Roberta
Smith, Elizabeth (Assistant Undergraduate Advisement Coordinator)
Smith, Stancy (C&I Secretary)
Walsh, Christine
Wells, Shirley
Yang, Harrison -- Web Page

After Oswego

Curriculum and Instruction graduates teach in schools in New York state, including New York City, Syracuse, Rochester, Utica, Albany and Buffalo, throughout the United States and abroad. Many become literacy specialists and coaches, special education teachers, school counselors and school administrators. Most graduates earn master's degrees.

A degree in education prepares students for careers in many fields where human interaction, planning and effective communication are essential. Many graduates work in fields including business, law, information studies, public service and higher education administration or join the Peace Corps. Some graduates choose to pursue a career of educational research and earn doctoral degrees.