Educator opportunities expand
By Anara Katz '24
A new educator endorsement is allowing students who hope to further their studies of education and/or teach in countries outside of the US a solid path forward.
For nearly 35 years, COA has offered an education track to students that blends the conceptual framework of human ecology with classes and field work that meet the requirements to be recommended a Maine Teaching Licensure, which is reciprocal in nearly all other US states. As of the 2023-24 academic year, College of the Atlantic is pleased to offer an option for students to graduate with an Educational Studies Endorsement (ESE) attached to their human ecology BA degree. The endorsement reflects a defined set of requirements that mirror the Maine State certification requirements but with greater flexibility for students who have plans to work in education in varied places and perhaps even in varied subjects, and more closely reflects the fact that COA’s student body comprises 25% international students, many of whom aim to return home to begin their careers.
"This path means an opportunity to grow and learn as a future educator, realize my specific focus within that, and hopefully have my work recognized far beyond the State of Maine," said international ed studies student Ruby Newman '24.
The new track has been approved by the COA Education Studies Committee in collaboration with interested students. There are typically 20–30 students in COA's education program, and, this year, seven have declared an interest in pursuing the new Educational Studies Endorsement track.
“Each ESE will have a focus, and that will direct not only the student's course pathway, but also required fieldwork and an education-based internship," said COA Co-Director of Educational Studies Linda Fuller. “We do hope that through strong communication and discussion about a solid curricular pathway it helps better prepare students to work in education internationally and/or to pursue a graduate degree in some aspect of education.”
The education studies program at COA blends interdisciplinary education classes, ranging from educational change to curriculum design, that encourage ed studies students to develop a professional education philosophy for themselves as future educators. The ed studies faculty, in conjunction with the Ed Studies Committee, work with students on an individual level to help them create a portfolio of classes and experiences that allow them to go directly into teaching after graduating COA. COA collaborates with local public and private schools, museums, therapeutic riding centers, sexual health clinics, nonprofit organizations, and more to provide students with education experiences that match their interests. COA's educational studies program reinforces human-ecological values of place-based education, service to one's community, and curriculum integration.
