Liberal Arts and Sciences: Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer)

Associate in Arts (A.A.)

High-quality childhood education is vital to the long-term social and emotional development of children. In this program, you'll study child psychology and teaching methods, preparing you to transfer to a four-year program in education and become a certified teacher.

Career Outlook: Teaching and Childhood Education

There is a great need for impactful teachers to educate and inspire the next generation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for K-12 teachers is expected to grow 8% by 2030. The U.S. Department of Education has identified numerous teacher shortages across the state of New York — especially in language arts, health and fitness, science, and special education.

A.A. Program Overview

Our teacher education transfer program introduces you to the historical, philosophical, and social foundations of education. You'll learn about teaching as an occupation, participate in structured school observations, and discuss key issues in education today (such as school safety, effective assessment strategies, and how to provide a quality education for all).

By the end of the program, you'll be ready to transfer to a four-year institution where you will take the next steps toward becoming a certified K-12 teacher.

Learn from Certified Teachers in K-12 Classrooms

Complete 30 hours of classroom observation at a regional public school. You select the school, grade level, and subject to ensure that your education matches your professional goals.

Previous program graduates have completed their observation hours at a variety of local school districts, including Bloomfield, Canandaigua, Fairport, Geneva, Rochester, Victor, and many others.

Experiment with Innovative Education Technology

Teaching in the 21st century requires a high level of comfort with digital technology and online learning strategies. Explore emerging trends in educational technology and discuss how to use these tools to create meaningful experiences for students.

Practice a variety of online teaching strategies while learning about digital communication, accessibility standards, and licensing principles.

You will also gain experience with specific tools, including:

• Programming literacy (Hour of Code, Twine)
• Collaboration software (Flipboard, Wakelet)
• Digital engagement tools (Padlet, Quizlet, Starfish)
• Online learning platforms (Google Classrooms, Pear Deck, NearPod)

Flexible Hybrid Program

Our Teaching and Childhood Education program is a hybrid degree program with at least 50% of the curriculum available online. Our hybrid programs offer the best of both worlds by combining in-person classroom instruction with online learning options for increased flexibility. Learn more about hybrid courses.

A.A. Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

• Analyze the impact of educational forces (e.g. political, economic, philosophical, cultural) on society.
• Synthesize multidisciplinary information to problem solve within the field of education.
• Evaluate the variety of career possibilities within the field of education (e.g. classroom teacher, special area teacher, speech therapist, librarian, counselor).

Seamless Transfer Opportunities

The courses you take in this program are equivalent to those offered during the freshman and sophomore years at four-year colleges and universities. After graduating from FLCC, you'll have the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree in education or a specialized subject area of your choice.

FLCC has a cooperative admissions agreement with SUNY Geneseo, which allows you to transfer to Geneseo without an additional application. FLCC also holds articulation agreements with several regional colleges, which help you transfer with full junior standing. For the teacher education transfer program, these schools are:

• Keuka College
• Roberts Wesleyan University
• SUNY Brockport
• SUNY Geneseo

Graduates of this program have continued their studies at a variety of other four-year institutions, including:

Four-Year Career Pathways

After earning a bachelor's degree in education and passing the teacher accreditation exams, you will be ready for a career as a K-12 teacher. Teaching certificate requirements vary based on your area of interest, subject area, and grade level as well as where you plan to teach. Learn more about New York State teaching requirements on the New York State Education Department website.

Low-Cost Tuition and Scholarship Opportunities

Earn a quality education at an affordable rate. With our low cost-per-credit and general scholarship opportunities, you can maximize your potential with minimal debt. 80% of students are awarded scholarships or financial aid that help with the cost of college.

As a teacher education transfer student, you may also be eligible for the Kiwanis Club/Canandaigua Classic Scholarship in Memory of Denett Pimkowski. For information on this scholarship, contact the FLCC Foundation.

Faculty

Tony Indorato is the coordinator and advisor for the teacher education transfer program. Tony has been teaching at FLCC since 2007. He has professional experience in a variety of educational careers including special education teacher, assistant principal, director of special education, principal of a private school, and founder of a Rochester-based Montessori School. He has a B.S. in Marketing from Nazareth College, an M.S. in Education from Nazareth College, and an M.S. in Educational Administration from SUNY Cortland. He believes that when you see a great teacher, you are seeing a great artist at work.