The Lewiston-Auburn campus at USM offers a program for students who have the desire to become educators. It is a non-traditional, undergraduate program called CLASS (Collaborative Learning and School Success) PDS (Professional Development School). It is an intensive four-and-a-half-year program available to undergraduate students interested in teaching at the K-8 level. This program is similar to the TEAMS (Teachers for Elementary and Middle Schools) and ETEP (Extended Teacher Education Program) teacher certification program, which is offered through the USM Gorham campus.
The CLASS PDS program has a current enrollment of 18-22 students, ranging from ages 20 to 50. The students went through an application and interview process separate from the University’s admission process. Criteria for being accepted are a firm commitment to and motivation for teaching, experience working with school-aged children, and a strong academic background.
“Our country needs the best and the brightest, especially at the elementary and middle school level,” said W. “Bumper” White, Coordinator and Advisor of CLASS PDS.
Students graduating from the program are well prepared to be the teachers that elementary and middle school students need in today’s world. Students graduate from the program with a degree in an academic major (Arts & Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, or Natural & Applied Sciences), K-8 teacher certification, 35 graduate credits, and a minor in education.
“When people graduate from the program, they are very marketable because they already have experience in teaching at all levels of elementary and middle school grades,” said Carol Miller, full-time partner school site coordinator.
There is a full year internship that is completed at two schools in the Lewiston-Auburn area: Sherwood Heights Elementary School and Lewiston Middle School. There are also opportunities for professional development, she said.
Students work with the partner schools and faculty to obtain combined field experience through seminars and constant work with mentors so they can understand the day-to-day experiences of teachers and students.
Shelly Annette, a freshman social and behavioral science major and CLASS PDS student, is very excited about being a part of the program. “It is geared so that everyone has a chance to be an awesome teacher. You feel very supported at all times.”
The application and interview process happens twice a year in December/January and July/August. For more information, contact W. “Bumper” White at 207-753-6590 or check out the website at http://www.usm.maine.edu/lac/class/.