Program Overview:
The Teacher Academy of Maryland is a Career and Technology Education (CTE) instructional program that aligns with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and the Maryland Essential Dimensions of Teaching (EdoTs). The program prepares students for further education and careers in the education profession. The program consists of four high school credits that focus on teaching as a profession, human growth and development, learning theory, and curriculum and instruction. These credits are designed to articulate to a Maryland post secondary teacher education program. Upon completion of the program and passing the ParaPro test, high school graduates are ready for employment in the teaching profession. This program is based on the outcomes of the Maryland Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree, which aligns with the National Council for the Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) standards.
Students are expected to:
- Identify the current, historical, philosophical, and social perspectives of American education, including trends and issues.
- Demonstrate an understanding that knowledge of the learner’s physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural development is the basis of effective teaching.
- Explore learning theories as antecedents to current educational practice.
- Identify research-based practices in teaching and evaluate their appropriateness for various educational situations.
- Explore curriculum delivery models in response to the developmental and cultural needs of all children.
- Use instructional technology to meet student and professional needs as guided by the Maryland Teacher Technology Standards.
- Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics, and, if appropriate, a secondary content area, in preparation for entry into the workforce and/or post-secondary education.
- Participate in internship experiences that include exposure to multiple age levels and subjects, including critical shortage areas.
Explore the career opportunities within the Human Resources Services Cluster and career opportunities and employment requirements within the Education and Training Services pathway.
Courses
Education Academy Internship
The internship is the culminating course of the Education Academy Program. Students will have an opportunity to integrate context and pedagogical knowledge in an educational area of interest. They will have an opportunity to extend and apply their knowledge about teaching in a classroom setting under a mentor teacher. The students will complete their working portfolio and present it for critique.
Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction
This course explores curriculum delivery models in response to the developmental needs of all children. Emphasis is placed on the development of varied instructional materials and activities to promote learning, classroom management strategies, and a supportive classroom environment. Students will explore basic theories of motivation that increases learning. Students will participate in guided observations and field experiences to critique classroom lessons in preparation for developing and implementing their own. Students will continue to develop the components of a working portfolio to be assembled upon completion of the internship.
Human Growth & Development through Adolescence
This course focuses on human development from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is placed on theories of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development, the effect of heredity and the environment, the role of caregivers and the family, health and safety concerns, and contemporary issues. Students explore special challenges to growth and development. Students will have the opportunities for guided observation of children from birth through adolescence in a variety of settings to help students further understand theories of human development. Students will begin to develop the components of a working portfolio to be assemble upon competition of the internship.
Teaching as a Profession
This course focuses on the profession of teaching-its history, purposes, issues, ethics, laws and regulations, roles, and qualifications. Emphasis is placed on identifying the current, historical, philosophical and social perspectives of American education, including trends and issues. Students will explore major approaches to human learning. Students will participate in guided observations and field experiences in multiple settings to help them assess their personal interest in pursuing careers in this field and to identify effective learning environments. Students will continue to develop the components of a working portfolio to be assembled upon completion of the internship.