Teaching Diverse Learners
Sheila Whitford
Teaching Young Learners
Shape the future by preparing Texas’s youngest students for lifelong success. Rice’s EC-3 Alternative Teacher Certification program empowers aspiring early childhood educators with specialized knowledge and hands-on experience designed for teaching children pre-kindergarten through third grade.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Program Outcomes
Begin a career in a field that consistently seeks passionate leaders to nurture and educate our youngest learners. Here’s what EC-3 candidates can expect after completing the program:
- With personalized faculty support, earn the EC-3 certification necessary to teach early childhood through third grade in Texas.
- Rice-trained EC-3 educators benefit from a near-100 percent pass rate on required exams and a 100 percent program-to-hire rate in teaching positions in early childhood through third grade.
- Gain the skills and confidence to create engaging, supportive and rigorous yet developmentally appropriate classroom environments for young children.
- Join an award-winning Rice early childhood and early elementary educator network, providing mentorship and ongoing support throughout your career.
- Successfully launch a rewarding career that will inspire young children and challenge you to grow as an educator.
PROGRAM SESSIONS
Plan of Study
The EC-3 Alternative Teacher Certification program is designed to provide future teachers with a holistic understanding of teaching pedagogy, strategy and practice. Over the course of three sessions, you will complete the professional education coursework, prepare for two state-required TEXeS exams (Early Childhood PK-3 and the Science of Teaching Reading) and one portfolio assessment (edTPA) ), and serve as a first-year teacher in a Houston-area school.
| Session One | Session Two | Session Three | ||
| Regular Track | Spring & Summer | Fall | Spring | |
The plan of study includes a state of Texas teacher certification and requires 315 clock hours of non-credit professional education coursework and 50 hours of field experience/classroom observations.
Session Details
- Session One: Spring/Summer
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Depending on your admissions cycle, you will begin your first session in the spring or summer semester. This session includes:
Professional Education Coursework
Four courses are taken in this session: Child Growth & Development; Principles of Early Reading Instruction; STEAM Instruction in Early Childhood Education; ELAR & Social Studies Instruction in Early Childhood Education; and Instructional Practice.TExES exam prep
The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) is a content-specific computer-administered exam used to assess whether an individual has the knowledge and teaching skills required to become a first-year educator in Texas. Two areas of the TExES exam must be passed to earn your teaching certification in EC-3. You will work with an advisor one-on-one to prepare to take and successfully pass the TExES exam. - Session Two: Fall
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This session includes:
Professional Education Coursework
Two courses are taken in this session: Diverse Learners in Early Childhood Education; Theory & Methods in Early Childhood Education.Field Experience
Field experiences are in the classroom, where you will be the full-time, salaried teacher of record, with frequent observation, feedback and support. You will become familiar with authentic learning environments. Whenever possible, you are paired with a fellow Rice-trained educator to provide opportunities to expand your network and connect on your shared experiences. While classroom observations are typically conducted in-person, a selection of your required hours, including lesson debriefs, may be completed in an online format. - Session Three: Spring
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This session includes:
Professional Education Coursework
One course: Seminar for New Teachers
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CLASSES
Course Spotlight
A great teacher develops the ability to translate pedagogical principles into classroom practice. We provide a series of professional education coursework to help establish the foundations needed to be an effective practicing early childhood educator.
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Teaching Diverse Learners
EDUCATCP002
Class Hours Per Week: 3
This course offers pedagogies for learners who have different ways of seeing the world, different experiences, and different learning needs. A variety of teaching methods and strategies help special needs students, gifted and talented students and English language learners succeed in the classroom. This course also addresses effective communication in ARDS, LPACS, and staffing within classrooms. Students learn about the support personnel who can assist the classroom teacher.
Sheila Whitford is a retired educator from Furr High School in Houston ISD where she served as a literacy coach, School Improvement Facilitator, and English teacher. She holds a BA in English and history from Texas Women’s University and her MBA from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Sheila serves as faculty in the program and also works with the department on compliance, academic program changes, admissions, program evaluation, the development of innovative new courses, field supervision, and strategic planning.
Assessment
Anthony Nguyen
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Assessment
EDUCATCP003
Unit 1
Class Hours Per Week: 3
In this course, students will use formative and summative assessment to drive instructional decisions. Disaggregation of student data growth in the classroom and on standardized tests will foster academic achievement.
Anthony Nguyen
Race, Class, Gender in Education
Dr. Judy Radigan
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Race, Class, Gender in Education
EDUCATCP005
Unit 1
Class Hours Per Week: 3
This course examines the complex ways in which race, ethnicity, gender, and class intersect and influence the educational experience of students in American schools. By employing an interdisciplinary approach centered both on individuals' lived experiences and educational system as a whole; EDUC 304 explores and critiques these critical issues and their impact on student learning. Likely topics include the historical foundations of race, class and gender in education, segregation, Title IX, and other contemporary topics.
Dr. Judy Radigan in her position as Director of the Education Department, she oversees academic services, lecturer and faculty teaching assignments, academic programming, program evaluation, student recruitment, admissions, student advising, strategic planning, and a principal certification program. Dr. Radigan has contributed to the expansion of the Education Department with a field-based program in Houston Independent School District for the pre-service teachers in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and the addition of a degree track for 5-year undergraduates towards a MAT degree and another MAT degree track for experienced teachers. The newest addition is the Principal Certification program.
Instructional Practice
Dr. Judy Radigan
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Instructional Practice
EDUCATCP006
Unit 1
Class Hours Per Week: 3
Students will learn basic skills in routine and classroom procedures, growing a teacher persona, developing engaging lessons, monitoring student work, chunking lesson delivery with formative assessment, deepening student’s analysis with lines of questioning, offering choice through assignments and assessments. Students will also have the opportunity to work with instructional coaches using brief videos showing skill-building videos and with longer full lesson videos.
Dr. Judy Radigan in her position as Director of the Education Department, she oversees academic services, lecturer and faculty teaching assignments, academic programming, program evaluation, student recruitment, admissions, student advising, strategic planning, and a principal certification program. Dr. Radigan has contributed to the expansion of the Education Department with a field-based program in Houston Independent School District for the pre-service teachers in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and the addition of a degree track for 5-year undergraduates towards a MAT degree and another MAT degree track for experienced teachers. The newest addition is the Principal Certification program.
Curriculum Development
Dr. Judy Radigan
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Curriculum Development
EDUCATCP007
Unit 2
Class Hours Per Week: 1
Teaching candidates will develop routines and procedures that will facilitate students working in a virtual or face-to-face environment. Skills in engaging in culturally responsive lesson activities will be developed. Opportunities to structure lessons for diverse student populations with whole group and small group lessons will be stressed. Candidates will develop lesson plan units using backward design that can be used in their edTPA portfolios.
Dr. Judy Radigan in her position as Director of the Education Department, she oversees academic services, lecturer and faculty teaching assignments, academic programming, program evaluation, student recruitment, admissions, student advising, strategic planning, and a principal certification program. Dr. Radigan has contributed to the expansion of the Education Department with a field-based program in Houston Independent School District for the pre-service teachers in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and the addition of a degree track for 5-year undergraduates towards a MAT degree and another MAT degree track for experienced teachers. The newest addition is the Principal Certification program.
Seminar for First-Year Teachers
Sheila Whitford
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Seminar for First-Year Teachers
EDUCATCP009
Unit 2
Class Hours Per Week: 2
In this course, first-year teachers will be supported in their work by field supervisors. In a weekly seminar, teachers will analyze their practice with current theories in education. Teachers will also develop and defend a project in their field. This course is required for standard certification.
Sheila Whitford is a retired educator from Furr High School in Houston ISD where she served as a literacy coach, School Improvement Facilitator, and English teacher. She holds a BA in English and history from Texas Women’s University and her MBA from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Sheila serves as faculty in the program and also works with the department on compliance, academic program changes, admissions, program evaluation, the development of innovative new courses, field supervision, and strategic planning.
Theory and Methods of Instruction
Anthony Nguyen
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Theory and Methods of Instruction
EDUCATCP009
Unit 2
Class Hours Per Week: 3
This course involves the study and integration of theory and methods with observation and practice in the classroom through the facilitation of student-led, student-centered activities. Under the guidance of education support team members, the course offers multiple methods for implementing curriculum with diverse students. Students will incorporate technology into their lessons with a 5 module instruction mini-course. Training for specific skills with special needs students will be included in this course.
Anthony Nguyen
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