Department of Education

The Department of Education at Roger Williams University is committed to helping you grow into a caring, competent educator.

You'll be exposed to the latest educational trends, developments and theories. You'll attend classes, workshops and seminars that examine the growing role of technology in modern education, work on original research projects that investigate the challenges facing public schools today and visit local classrooms to observe the positive influences that a dedicated teacher can have in the life of a child.

All students benefit from faculty mentoring and a variety of support services. Classes in the Department of Education average 15 students. The University provides educational and living experiences that are designed to help students place their own worlds in larger socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts. The result of a Roger Williams University education is a well-rounded student who is able to pursue a rewarding career and gratifying life.

A statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We uphold the inherent dignity of youth. In doing so, we believe equity is central to the endeavor of educating, and that representation AND justice must work in tandem to improve outcomes for marginalized learners.

As a Department of Education, we seek to prepare up-and-coming teachers who:

• are committed to active social justice and anti-racism
• engage in humane interactions with all youth, in service of their well-being
• collaboratively work towards equity in our communities by listening, engaging, and exhibiting humility and courage in equal measure.

Engagement with Under-Served Populations

We know that certain students – English language learners, students of color, students in poverty and students with disabilities - are often short-changed in schools. Equity and social justice are squarely on the minds of faculty and students at RWU .Throughout your time in the Department of Education, you will be immersed in how to best educate under-served students. Your opportunities include:

• All Elementary majors complete a specialization in educating high-needs and marginalized youth, increasing your ability to teach all students well (and increasing your marketability!).
• Observations and teaching placements in settings that serve high-needs populations throughout your 4 years in the Department of Education
• Courses that specifically address the needs of children of color, children in poverty, English language learners and children with disabilities.
• Optional Saturday University courses that provide our students with increased opportunities to learn about issues and pedagogy for serving high-needs populations.

Engagement with Communities of Educators, Scholars, and Advocates

While the Department of Education is a community onto itself, we believe in the value of exposing students to multiple communities, both professional and cultural.  Students have extended, consistent opportunities to engage with other teachers, scholars and experts in the field of Education.  Your possibilities include:

• Field placements in area schools beginning your freshman year.
• Opportunities to teach lessons in local schools during your sophomore year.
• An increasing number of placement hours, building towards your full-time immersion in student teaching senior year.
• Opportunities for in-house collaboration. Many faculty conduct research in settings that serve high-needs populations. Jump on board a project with one of our faculty. Read about their findings in respected journals. Help co-author a conference presentation.
• Opportunities to hear outside speakers on an array of topics, including working with urban youth and addressing identity issues.

Engagement with Expert Faculty AND the Larger Global Community

Students in the Department of Education experience the best of both worlds: access to expert faculty in a small, family-like environment while having endless access to the larger community in which we live. Your possibilities include:

• Courses led by expert faculty.  Education courses at RWU are not taught by teaching assistants or graduate students.
• Opportunities to work and learn with faculty who are well-published in their fields.
• Multiple advisors to help you navigate your time here. In addition to being assigned a faculty academic advisor for 4 years, all seniors have an additional faculty mentor to guide you in job searches and further graduate study.
• Opportunities for study abroad: You are able to study abroad for one semester. All secondary education students have opportunities to study abroad in their respective disciplines. Elementary education students have a wide variety of options too.
• Opportunities to participate in Department of Education sponsored study abroad: For example, apply to participate in exclusive short-term study abroad programs in Puerto Rico and Rome.

Engagement with Content and Pedagogy

Our students learn how to teach while developing in-depth knowledge of what they teach. How do we do this?

• Elementary students complete an Education major AND declare core concentrations, which allow you to become an expert in Education and an additional field of your choosing.
• Secondary students complete full double majors. Our students major in both Education AND in the content area of your choosing.
• Elementary students complete 29 units of coursework in the STEM fields (math, science, engineering and technology). This degree of preparation, rarely seen at other schools, responds to a pressing need in the field to have fully prepared science and math teachers. You will engage in labs and field experiences in the STEM areas from your freshman year.
• Secondary Education students engage in a rigorous three-course sequence to assure implementation of best practices in your respective content areas.