Statement of Philosophy, Goals and Objectives of the Program
The philosophy and mission of the Education Department
at Daemen College is to prepare educators whose pedagogy will foster
the growth of an individual and ensure that each candidate for
certification will possess all the personal and professional characteristics
necessary for successful entry-level teaching.
The goal of the Education Department at Daemen College is to provide
students with the necessary preparation for a career in teaching.
Today's educator must have strong skills in pedagogy, content,
knowledge, and an understanding of diversity in the classroom that
includes differences in culture, linguistics, and learning so that
all children may succeed in the educational process. The department
has designed a program that engages students in the professional
developmental process from the very first semester they enter the
major. The program is predicated on hands-on, experiential-based
courses and practica that are in all phases of pre-service preparation
and that increase each year until the culminating experience of
student teaching.
The faculty actively involve students with local school districts
in order for them to gain valuable experience working with children
in the classroom. Faculty facilitate student understanding and
knowledge in the application of methods and practices of sound
pedagogy.
The purpose of the Education Department is to provide knowledge
in the critical areas of: human development, learning processes,
motivation, classroom management, language acquisition, curriculum
development, instructional planning, use of technology, and formal
and informal teaching strategies and content assessment for diverse
student populations. This knowledge is based on national and state
standards that reflect excellence in education. Our expectation
is that Daemen College students will continue to learn and grow
as educators and as lifelong learners.
The objectives of the Education Department are aligned with the
various organizations that will govern over future teachers. The
objectives include, but are not limited to the following:
1. offer opportunities to link human growth and development to
school curriculums.
2. prepare teacher candidates to understand the nature of young
children and/or adolescents.
3. explain changes in family settings, social contexts, threats
to health and safety, and risk behaviors in contemporary society,
which affect the healthy development of children.
4. apply current research findings about individual differences
that cover teaching and learning, culturally and linguistically
diverse populations, and students with exceptionalities.
5. discuss accountability measures that balance evaluation of
academic learning with assessment of individual student growth
and development.
