Instructor: |
Susan Torncello, M.Ed. |
Location: | Online using Zoom and Google Classroom |
Dates and Times: | September 16, 2023 – January 27, 2024. This course will meet virtually/synchronously on 1 Saturday each month and once each month there will be a required Thursday writing class from 6:30-9:00. All required writing drafts must be submitted by January 27, 2024. |
Credits: | 3 graduate. All students must hold a Bachelor’s Degree to be eligible for Vt. Agency of Education licensure. The course is designed to support students’ professional portfolio development towards licensure. |
Tuition: | $1,195. Eligible students can apply for a T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Vermont Scholarship on a first come first serve basis. Contact VTAEYC for more information at: teachearlychildhoodvermont@vtaeyc.org Eligible students can also apply for a CDD College Tuition Grant and the application and eligibility information can be found on the VTAEYC website. |
Course Description: The course will guide students’ understanding of all requirements of the Vt. Agency of Education’s Peer Review Portfolio process and support their writing and documentation of Early Childhood Competencies and Vermont Core Teaching Standards, as well as student teaching equivalency. Students must be eligible to meet criteria for acceptance into Peer Review, including a B.S. degree, related testing requirements (Praxis Core or equivalent scores) and meet all Core Teaching Standards and ECE Competencies. The course will include required essay writing in class and through assignments to meet expectations of Part I, II, III of VT. Core Teaching Standards and ECE Competencies at 0-PK & K-3 levels. Students are required to complete a draft of all required writing by the conclusion of the course.
Coursework will reflect the Code of Professional Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct for Vermont Educators and embed Vermont’s Guiding Principles for the Full Participation of Each and Every Child (see links under Resources below). Students will be shown examples of templates to inform their decision related to electronic platform choices (for creating and submitting their portfolio). Students will be guided in meeting the requirements of Peer Review’s Student Teaching Equivalency, as well as other required aspects of the portfolio as outlined by Vermont’s Agency of Education.
NOTE: The course is designed to support students’ professional portfolio development towards licensure. It is strongly encouraged that students complete a Peer Review Portfolio Clinic through the Vt. AOE before this class begins(updated information about clinics are on AOE website https://education.vermont.gov/peer-review-alternative-route-licensure Please contact instructor for more information and to ascertain that you meet the qualifications for Peer Review.
Audience: Birth-Grade 3 Educators who have already earned a Bachelor's Degree.
~ Identify and translate the knowledge gained from experiential learning
~ Demonstrate an understanding of the processes for identifying college-level learning, including ways to use professional literature and theoretical frameworks for analysis of evidence.
~ Use different modes of disciplinary and interdisciplinary inquiry to explore ideas and issues from multiple perspectives
~ Analyze, critique, and synthesize scholarly literature
~ Critically reflect on experiences related to acquired knowledge
~ Integrate appropriate technology competence into all aspects of teaching and building an electronic portfolio with embedded video
~ Embed Vermont Guiding Principles for the Full Participation of Each and Every Child in all curricula planning, assessment and writing
Course Objectives: (measurable)
~ Write a resume and complete a Competency Map that documents your professional learning
~ Construct an Evidence Chart for the Core Teaching Standards as required by AOE’s Peer Review guidelines
~ Document and present early childhood education training and experiences
~ Complete a draft professional portfolio that fulfills Vermont’s licensure criteria (with goal of September 1st submission date to Vt. AOE).
~ Exhibit professional attributes and dispositions throughout the course and student teaching equivalency
~ Demonstrate ongoing reflective and collegial practice.
~ Maintain strong ethical and professional practice with attention to punctuality (in work place and with assignments)
~ Develop unit and lesson plan formats that are responsive to VELS and correlated to Common Core State Standards & Next Generation Science Standards (if applicable)
~ Differentiate learning encounters and instructional strategies to meet the developmental needs of all learners.
~Utilize authentic formative & summative assessment measures and student sampling strategies to inform child-centered curricula
~Maintain and write about exemplary ethical and professional practice
Susan Torncello, M.Ed., is a former preschool & kindergarten teacher, and passionate lover & collector of children's literature. She's spent the past 25 + years teaching at the University of Vermont Birth-Grade 3 Program, while simultaneously supporting early childhood educators through alternative pathways to licensure, particularly through Peer Review. She is enriched by the relationships she builds with practicing professionals, as well as pre-service teachers, and is committed to advancing the early childhood profession. She has 3 grown children, 2 grandchildren and loves to travel and visit them! Susan Torncello, M.Ed.
There are no required texts, however, it is strongly encouraged that students complete a Peer Review Portfolio Clinic through the Vt. AOE before the class begins (updated information about clinics are on AOE website).
Advancing Equity in ECE Position Statement
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/equity
Peer Review – Alternative Paths to Licensure
https://education.vermont.gov/peer-review-alternative-route-licensure
Agency of Education Peer Review Handbook http://education.vermont.gov/documents/educator-quality-peer-review-handbook
Vt. Agency of Education Code of Professional Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct for Vermont Educators
Vermont Guiding Principles for the Full Participation of Each and Every Child
Susan Torncello, M.Ed.
(802) 238-7958
Center for Schools Team
(802) 468-1325