Your first year of the program consists of a freshman year seminar to help majors and prospective majors explore their identity as future teachers. Working closely with faculty, you will begin to develop your practical knowledge and skills by working with K-12 students in schools or after school programs.

You will also begin to develop your content knowledge through general education and content courses relevant to your chosen licensure area.

In your second year, you will focus on preprofessional courses:

• ED 200: Perspectives of Teaching and Learning
• ED 220: Exceptional Learners 

These courses expose you to the history of education, educational philosophies and working with exceptional learners. You will also continue to deepen your practical skills through field experiences in while being mentored by qualified teachers. 

Continued coursework within your licensure area will qualify you for formal admission to the education program by the end of your second year.

During your third year in the program, you will deepen your specific knowledge by focusing on teaching methods that align to your selected area of licensure. You will develop in-depth knowledge of curriculum and lesson design, assessment, and learning strategies. You will also begin preparing to take and pass the Praxis II licensure exams for your selected licensure area. 

Your final year of the program prepares you for leading a classroom by introducing intensive coursework in classroom management, assessment, and methods of teaching to be used as a student teacher. You will also complete your senior lab, which consists of an immersive experience working alongside a qualified teacher in a K-12 classroom setting.

You will complete your student teaching during your final semester - a fully immersive teaching experience under the direct supervision of a K-12 teacher in your selected licensure area.

The Adams State teacher education program focuses on providing future teachers with practical experiences during each semester. Students spend time in classroom settings as well as after-school and special programs.

By graduation, students will have accumulated 800 hours of field experience working with special populations and directly with students. Mentors, trainers, and faculty are available every step of the way to provide feedback and coaching to you as your develop your education practice.

Adams State partners with several surrounding school districts to provide students with in-school experience working with English Language Learners, exceptional students, and migrant students.

At Adams state, you will also have the opportunity to gain experiences in working with rural populations and to learn about issues affecting rural education in the state of Colorado.

Adams State provides mentoring and coaching throughout each phase of teacher preparation using high quality mentor teachers who are experts in their field. Many of the mentors are alumni of the program and care deeply about the preparation and success of future teachers.

As a student at Adams State, you will build strong relationships with these mentors, teachers and school leaders who, along with faculty, will guide you and support you throughout your teacher preparation.

Adams State is dedicated to its mission to build partnerships within the community by placing students in school districts that provide valuable teaching and learning experiences.

In addition to local school districts, Adams State partners with alternative programs like the Center for Restorative Programs, the San Luis Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and the San Luis Valley Migrant Education Program.