Department of Elementary Education

Brandon Fox, chair
Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood
Research Center, Room 209
Phone: (936) 468-2904
Fax: (936) 468-1701
P.O. Box 13017, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Web: sfasu.edu/elementaryed

Coordinators

Bilingual Education and ESL (English as a Second Language)
Jim Ewing

Early Childhood Education EC-6
Adam Akerson

EC-6 Distance Education Completion Program
Ronda McClain

Middle Level Grades 4-8 Education
Claudia Whitley

Middle Level Grades 4-8 Distance Education Completion Program
Michelle Williams

Reading
Deborah Williams

Director of Assessment
Karla Hamilton

Faculty

Professors
Judy A. Abbott, Carolyn Abel, Gloria Jean Gresham, Elizabeth Vaughan, Kimberly Welsh, Michelle Williams

Associate Professors
Adam Akerson, Lauren Burrow, Susan Casey, Brandon Fox, Paula Griffin, Tracey Covington Hasbun, Susan Reily, Vicki Thomas, Claudia Whitley, Deborah Williams, Tingting Xu

Assistant Professors
James Ewing, Yuan He, Steven Josephsen, Leah Kahn, Mark Montgomery, Sarah Straub, Pamela Vaughn

Instructors
Elizabeth Gound, Lysa Hagan, Lori McGough Harkness

Lecturers
Erica Dillard, Ronda McClain

University Charter School, CEO
Lysa Hagan

Early Childhood Lab Director
Lori McGough Harkness

Objectives

The mission of the Department of Elementary Education is to prepare undergraduate and graduate candidates to meet the teaching demands of a culturally diverse society in the 21st century. Through dynamic learner-centered programs that support lifelong learning, candidates learn the pedagogy and technology necessary to create classrooms for children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Definition of Majors and Minors

The programs leading to teaching certifications at the elementary/middle school level are outlined below.

Early advising is especially imperative.

Candidates seeking elementary teacher certification should follow the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Transfer candidates, those interested in attending summer school and others needing additional information should consult the advisors in the Advising Center, McKibben Education Building, Room 118. Appointments may be scheduled online.

For the following programs, advising is conducted in the Department of Elementary Education:

EC6 Distance Education Completion Program - Ronda McClain, coordinator
Middle Level 4-8 Distance Education Completion Program - Michelle Williams, coordinator

The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies is for certification for elementary and middle school teachers.

Course requirements for candidates seeking EC-6 or 4-8 certification are below. (An official degree plan should be requested from the James I. Perkins College of Education Advising Center, located in the McKibben Education Building, Room 118, no later than the accumulation of 40 to 50 semester hours.)

Early Childhood Laboratory

During each long-term semester, more than 1,000 college candidates use the laboratory for observation, participation and other educational purposes. The Early Childhood Program at SFA is recognized as one of the most outstanding early childhood programs in the nation. The college program is accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the children’s program is accredited by National Association for the Education of Young Children. Serving more than 1,000 college candidates and 100 children each year, this dynamic program continues to meet the demands of a changing university, community and state.

Charter School

The SFA Charter School is state funded and operates as a public school. The Charter School offers the Perkins College of Education an opportunity to build on the great success that has been achieved with the Nacogdoches ISD/SFA Charter School in operation on the SFA campus since August 1998. The dynamic interaction of the Department of Elementary Education, Early Childhood Laboratory and the SFA Charter School allows the Perkins College of Education to perform cutting-edge research in early childhood education, creating a one-of-a-kind center for East Texas and the state.

Study-Abroad Programs

Candidates have the opportunity to study the educational systems of various countries, such as France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and China. Faculty will accompany candidates on a two-week study-abroad program. The candidates visit different school types, have audiences with governmental officials, and experience cultural events and sites. The university’s Office of International Programs coordinates the experience.

Programs

Major

Minor

Early Childhood Minor

Program Overview