Concordia’s Teacher Education programs, fully accredited by NCATE, include a foundation in liberal arts and a core of education courses, which are enhanced by a strong emphasis on pre-professional field experiences. Teacher Education candidates select an area of academic concentration. For candidates in the Early Childhood, Childhood and Middle Childhood Generalist programs, a Liberal Studies concentration is available with a specialization in Art, Social Sciences, Biology, English, Religion, Mathematics, or Social Studies.
Graduates of Concordia’s Teacher Education program qualify academically for an initial New York State Classroom Teaching Certificate and thus are ready to teach in public, private, or parochial schools. Teacher Education candidates who wish to work with younger students in a traditional self-contained classroom may choose Early Childhood (birth–grade 2), Childhood (grades 1–6) or Middle Childhood Generalist (grades 5-9) program.
The most recent class of graduates had an overall GPA of 3.22. Seventy eight percent of them hold a teaching position and 57 percent are currently enrolled in graduate school programs in education.
We are pleased to announce the New York State-approved Master of Science in Childhood Special Education program. This exciting new program is currently accepting applications. Learn more here...
Lutheran Teacher's Diploma
In addition to preparing candidates for NYS certification, the program also grants a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma that certifies teachers to serve in the nationwide Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod school system.
Teacher Education Fieldwork Experiences
Field experiences begin during freshman year with a five-day pre-professional practicum during which candidates serve as teachers’ aides in the grade level of their choice. Prior to the student teaching semester, Concordia candidates are required to complete at least 100 additional hours of fieldwork, including experiences with students in high-needs urban settings, students with disabilities, and students with limited English proficiency.
Fieldwork and student teaching sites include:
| Westchester County Public Schools include: | Location |
| Bronxville | Bronxville |
| Bronx | Bronx |
| Eastchester | Eastchester |
| Harrison | Harrison |
| Mamaroneck | Mamaroneck |
| Mount Vernon | Mount Vernon |
| New Rochelle | New Rochelle |
| Pelham | Pelham |
| Scarsdale | Scarsdale |
| Tuckahoe | Tuckahoe |
| White Plains | White Plains |
| Yonkers | Yonkers |
| New York Parochial Schools include: | Location |
| The Chapel School | Bronxville |
| Emanuel Lutheran School | Patchogue |
| Holy Trinity Community School | Hollis |
| Immaculate Conception | Tuckahoe |
| Long Island Lutheran Middle School & High School | Brookville |
| Our Saviour Lutheran | Bronx |
| Redeemer Lutheran School | Glendale, NY |
| St. Mark’s Lutheran | Yonkers |
| Trinity Lutheran | Hicksville |
Teacher Education Program Courses
Concordia’s education courses prepare students for a variety of classroom settings. Courses of interest include:
Microteaching Lab
This course applies the principles of teaching in a peer group setting. Through interactive white board video-conferencing technology, web 2.0 applications, and other interactive classroom experiences, students gain insight into purposeful teaching methods.
Curriculum and Assessment
This course introduces students to the New York State Learning Standards, as well as principles for development of curricula, evaluation of students’ progress toward goals and objectives, and interpretation of the results of standardized tests.
Pre-Professional Practicum Experience
Through field experience as a teacher’s aide in the classroom, teacher candidates gain insights into the operation of the learning environments at various and appropriate grade levels. Experiences include motivation, communication, classroom management, and instructional planning.
Religious Education and The Role of the Christian Teacher
Teacher candidates preparing for the teaching ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod study the goals, objectives, content, and methods of teaching the Christian faith, as well as the special responsibilities of teachers in Lutheran schools.
Home, School, Church, and Community Relations
This course explores the vital and necessary interrelationships among the four elements present in the overall education of children and adolescents: home, school, church, and community. Consideration of the effects of culture, heritage, and socioeconomic level on a student’s readiness to learn is an important aspect of the course.
Teacher Education Faculty and Staff
Dr. Christine Rowe
Dean, Professional Studies
Ed.D., Southern Connecticut State University; M.S., Western Connecticut State University; B.A., The College of New Jersey
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Lois Dierlam
Chair, Teacher Education Program
M.A., Hofstra University; B.S., Peabody College at Vanderbilt University
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Dr. Stephanie Squires
Director of Graduate Education/Special Education
Ph.D, University of New Orleans, M. Ed., University of New Orleans, B.A., College of New Rochelle
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Jean Hess
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
MA Fordham University
BA Fordham University
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Nicole Morgan
Staff Assistant
B.A., Iona College
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