Academic Programs
What You'll Be Doing
Gannon University believes teaching is a vital and vibrant profession. Whether you are interested in elementary, early childhood or special education, Gannon’s education programs will prepare you to be an innovative and effective teacher. Our education curriculum focuses on teaching strategies, performance and professionalism. Additional learning experiences are provided through professional development opportunities made possible by community partnerships with 12 public school districts, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie’s parochial schools, area private schools, child care centers, charter schools and the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute, where cuttingedge research is being conducted in the area of autism. Gannon’s education students also have the opportunity to learn from national educators, such as Ron Clark, a Disney teacher of the year.
During the second semester of your freshman year, you will be placed in a local school district for the first of five practicum experiences. In this first field experience, you will have the opportunity to view the classroom through the lens of a teacher, while working under the direction of a professional local educator who has demonstrated a high degree of competence in teaching. Each subsequent practicum will provide you with an opportunity to add to your teaching skills. The planned sequence of field experiences integrate academic and professional content with actual practice in classrooms. These diverse practicums take place in public, parochial and private schools in rural, suburban and urban settings across multiple grade levels. All practicum placements are arranged by the University and supervised by University staff who provide additional guidance and feedback to our pre-service teachers.
Education Curriculum
At Gannon University, you can prepare for teacher certification in early childhood, elementary or special education. The elementary program is offered as a single major with concentration options in English, history, mathematics or science. Elementary education is also offered as a dual major with early childhood or special education. Students may also choose a triple major in elementary, early childhood and special education. Elementary education certification qualifies teachers to instruct students in grade kindergarten through six. Those certified in the field of early childhood may teach pre-kindergarten through grade three. When certified in the field of special education, a teacher may work with students in nursery school through grade twelve.
Additional program options include:
College Connections
Many professional development programs for education majors are planned by the members of our three professional organizations: Kappa Delta Pi, Gannon University’s Society for Exceptional Children (GUSEC) and Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA). Recent programs included an evening of mock interviews with local administrators and educators, a workshop offering strategies for classroom management and a series of Wow’em workshops on a variety of educational topics.
Members of the University’s professional organizations have an opportunity to attend state and national conferences with their peers and advisers.
Gannon’s School of Education was one of 20 United States colleges/ universities selected to receive the Teachers for the 21st Century Grant, funded by Microsoft and the Council for Independent Colleges (CIC). As a result of this grant, four faculty members are conducting research on the educational and institutional benefits of electronic portfolios. Education students are participating in the grant by learning about and producing electronic portfolios.
Gannon’s School of Education was one of four Pennsylvania universities selected to establish a Center for Teaching Excellence in order to promote and support National Board for Teaching Standards Certifi cation. National Board certification is considered the gold standard in certification and is recognized across the country.
Faculty in the School of Education work with local public school districts and the Diocese of Erie to provide professional development opportunities for local teachers, particularly in the areas of reading and writing.
The Gannon Advantage
- Students at Gannon enjoy internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities. In addition everyone completes our "Liberal Studies Core" -- 39 credits that will help prepare you for life.
- Gannon's Career Development Services Office reports that 97% of Gannon's recent graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate studies.
- On our urban campus, students can enjoy all the conveniences of city living while feeling at home in Gannon's caring community.
- An overall 13:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that students receive the genuine commitment and personal attention they are seeking.
- Gannon's Career Service Center helps students search for graduate school or job opportunities, develop interviewing skills and design a professional resume.
- Over 70 clubs and organizations as well as 18 NCAA Division II athletics provide students the chance to be involved.
• Our education programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
• A $6,000 Teaching Scholars Award, awarded over a four year period, is available to qualified education majors.
• The elementary education program offers triple, dual or single major options. The single major has concentration areas in English, history, mathematics or science.
• The Future Educators Award annual scholarship contest provides three scholarship awards each year in the amount of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000.
• Our student teaching program is a full 14 weeks, providing our teacher candidates with more experiential learning time than is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• Ninety percent of our 2005-2006 graduates are employed in their major, while five percent are employed in related fields and the remaining five percent are continuing their education.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Education has reciprocal agreements for teacher certification with 45 states. Recent graduates of our School of Education programs are currently employed in schools in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Florida, North Dakota, Nevada, Kansas, Hawaii and Washington.
• The average starting salary for teachers in Pennsylvania is $34,976 while the average teacher salary in Pennsylvania is $53,281. Salaries across the nation vary by district; Connecticut currently has the highest average teacher salary and South Dakota has the lowest.
109 University Square • Erie, Pennsylvania 16541-0001
1-800 GANNON-U (1-800-426-6668) or 814-871-7000
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