Students examine key topics in PreK-12 education, including its historical, philosophical, and social foundations; legal, ethical, and professional aspects of teaching; and issues relating to curriculum, student diversity and sociopolitical dimensions of education. This course includes a required in-person practicum working with youth in local community and school contexts.

This course provides educators, counselors, and others the knowledge and skills to integrate breathwork and mindful movement into their work with children and youth. We will learn through cultivation of personal practice, micro-teaching, reflection, and examination of the research.

This course explores the meaning and concepts associated with the field of learning disabilities, including the psychological and behavioral characteristics of individuals with learning disabilities. Topics include specific causes, assessment, and treatment of learning disabilities and related disabilities. Educational, psychological, historical, and medical implications are addressed.

This course addresses reading and writing development from emergent literacy through adolescent readers with attention to diverse needs of students. The course also addresses components of effective literacy programs (e.g., concepts of print, fluency, phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, writing, comprehension, vocabulary) and evidence-based practices for reading and writing instruction informed by assessment within an MTSS framework.

Designed to teach elementary pre-service teachers fundamental science concepts in such areas related to scientific investigation as: reasoning and logic; force, motion, and energy; matter; life processes; living systems; interrelations in earth/space systems; earth patterns, cycles and change; and appropriate resources for teaching the Virginia Science Standards of Learning in grades PreK-6. The course also focuses on the planning, instruction , and assessment of science curriculum.

Mindfulness-based interventions promote physical and mental health and support cognitive and emotional developmental processes in individuals across the lifespan. Mindful awareness practices can support our ability to be fully present to the needs of others. This course introduces a variety of these practices and the research on their effects as a means to promoting well-being and building supportive relationships in professional settings.

What makes games so much fun? How can games be educational? The goal of this course is to understand how games can motivate, engage, and teach. In this course students will survey current approaches by playing a variety of games and develop understanding of game-based learning, motivation, and design thinking perspectives. Students will apply this understanding by designing a new educational game in a collaborative class project.

Through this course, students will gain an in-depth understanding of self-regulation during early childhood and how this promotes children's success in school. We will focus on how adults serving in a teaching role support children's self-regulation development. Students will learn how to establish learning environments and implement practices that promote children's display of self-regulation in the areas of emotion, behavior, and cognition.

This course will explore design as a creative problem-solving approach to making. Participants will be introduced to design tools and key maker education concepts through hands-on design studio projects, each highlighting a learner-centered approach to instruction. This course is also relevant for those seeking to learn creative applications of digital design and fabrication technologies.

Field-based practicum for preservice teachers seeking initial licensure. Students develop skills in fostering positive professional relationships with students, colleagues, and peers; designing and implementing individual, small group, and whole class instruction; and observing and reflecting on practice. This course meets the guidelines for state-approved teacher education programs in Virginia.