Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
GED 511 Fundamentals of Curriculum (3 cr.)
Instructor: John L. Barone, Sr.
Wednesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
“What do we mean when we use the word curriculum?”
As one would expect, the definitions offered run a spectrum.” The development,
implementation, and evaluation of curriculum is a complex process. (Miller/Seller, p. 3)
This course will focus on the definition(s) and varying perspectives of curriculum. In
addition, participants will examine the major frameworks of curriculum; become
familiar with the varying approaches to curriculum planning, development, design,
implementation, and evaluation; articulate their own perspectives on curriculum;
examine the link between curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and be able to
critique curriculum from a variety of different perspectives.
GED 516 Educational Foundations: Understanding the Past and Creating the Future
(3 cr.)
Instructor: Jenny Stearns
Monday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course reviews the role of teacher in contemporary education and includes at least
20 hours of focused observation outside of class time. Students examine the practical
and philosophical influences on teachers’ decision making processes in reaction to
curriculum, motivation, educational history, classroom culture, instructional strategy,
Common Core State Standards, and Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning
Opportunities. The emphasis is on critical and creative reflection of readings,
observations, and in-class discussions and activities. Students gain the experience of
planning and teaching lessons during the course. Students emerge from the course with
a personal philosophy of education. Required writing assessment for candidacy is
included in this course.
GED 528 K-8 Curriculum, Assessment and Management (4 cr.)
Instructor: Anne Tewksbury-Frye
Wednesday, 4:30-7:45pm
In this course students will come to a personal understanding of community and how it
relates to an elementary classroom culture and curriculum. Using the Common Core
and Vermont Standards, along with the multiple lenses of place based education,
service learning, diversity, and socio-economics, participants will develop a
comprehensive unit of study based on the UbD Framework. Classroom management
and structure are included as foundations for success, along with weekly examination
and creation of assessment tools. The class provides an opportunity for students to
explore and deepen their own philosophy of teaching and learning through readings and
discussion.
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Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
GED 529: Personalized Learning (3 cr.)
Instructor: Don Taylor
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
Personalized Learning has long been viewed as best practice in education. When
students are well known by their teachers; when their interests, motivations and
aspirations are used to plan curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and when their
journeys toward post-secondary opportunities are well structured; students are more
successful. In 2014, the State of Vermont passed Act 77 which requires all schools to
institute Personalized Learning Plans for students in grades 7-12. This course will explore
the conceptual frameworks that ground the concept of personalized learning and
critique these frameworks and how schools have chosen to use them. Participants in the
course will create their own personalized learning plan for the course and propose a
plan for personalized learning in their classroom, school, and/or district. Guest speakers
will share with course participants their implementation of personalized learning plans
and those practices aligned.
GED 534 Assessment, Instruction, and Intervention in Reading (3 cr.)
Instructor: Kristin Gehsmann
Monday, 5:00pm-7:45pm
This course is designed to help licensed teachers deepen their understanding of
assessment, instruction, and intervention in reading. Together, we will explore a wide
variety of formative and summative literacy assessments, as well as examine the
relationship between assessment and instruction/intervention. Using assessment data,
students will determine students' strengths and needs, and make recommendations for
instruction and intervention. Participants must have access to an individual student
for a minimum of 60 minutes per week in order to complete the requirements for the
case study assignment. This course meets the Assessment requirement of the
Reading/English Language Arts Endorsement program at Saint Michael's College.
Pre-requisite: GED 606 Literacy Development and Instruction (PreK-8)
GED 544: Mindfulness Education: Cultivating Caring, Attention, Awareness and SelfRegulation (3 cr.)
Instructor: Aostre Johnson
Wednesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
Mindfulness practices and other contemplative approaches are increasingly being
adopted in many professional settings, including medicine, psychology, therapy, and
education, and a growing body of research suggests cognitive, emotional, social, ethical
and spiritual benefits. This course will examine a variety of current perspectives,
theories, and research studies on mindfulness education, as well as practical approaches
to teaching them at all levels from early childhood through adulthood. It will also
emphasize the current cultural context, especially the impacts of technology on
attention, and the critical importance of connecting mindfulness practices to
compassionate, ethical, and ecological ways of living. The course will also draw on
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Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
personal experience and experimentation, and it is appropriate for those with little
knowledge, as well as those who have previously studied or practiced varied forms of
mindfulness. Class activities will include readings, discussions, lectures, guest speakers
with varied approaches, and mindfulness practices. The course aims to engage curiosity
about and strengthen mindfulness and presence capacities of educators themselves, as
well as to help them develop mindfulness curriculum and teaching practices relevant to
their students’ development and needs.
GED 547 Middle and Secondary Curriculum and Assessment (4 cr.)
Instructor: Heather Baron
Thursday, 4:30-8:00pm
This course offers current and prospective middle and secondary educators the
opportunity to increase their knowledge of content area curriculum and assessment
design. We will critically examine and apply curriculum theory, instructional and
assessment strategies, content knowledge, and teaching and learning standards while
constructing lesson plans, assessment tasks and tools, and content area units. Together,
in an interactive learning environment emphasizing reflective thinking, writing, dialogue,
and collaboration, we will explore the integral role of curriculum and assessment in
fostering student learning and growth.
GED 550 Student Teaching Internship (6 cr.)
Includes Art, Elementary Education, English Language Learners, Middle and Secondary
Licensure Programs.
Students register for this and GED 555 at the same time.
GED 555 Student Teaching Seminar (3cr.)
Instructor: Kristin Gehsmann
Tuesdays, 3:45pm-5:45pm
Taken concurrently with the student teaching internship (GED 550), this course focuses
on standards, teaching strategies, classroom culture, management techniques,
collaboration, problem solving, philosophical questions, assessment, and
communication skills. Students complete their required portfolio for licensure during
this course. The seminar is designed to provide support for student teachers in the
field. Enrollment by special arrangement only.
GED 562 Thesis Research (3 cr.)
By Arrangement Only
The Thesis is an in-depth research study that contributes to the existing body of
knowledge in the field of education. The student works with an advisor planning,
researching and writing the Thesis. This is a two semester course with a grade of XT
given at the end of the first semester. Students meet with their academic advisors to
discuss topics and projects before registering.
Prerequisite: GED 558 Educator as Researcher and permission from advisor.
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Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
GED 567 Legal and Financial Management of Schools (4 cr.)
Instructor: Bob Mason and Christopher Leopold
Mondays, 4:30pm-8:00pm
Legal and Financial Management of Schools will provide participants with core
knowledge and skills necessary for varied school leadership and administrative roles.
Participants will explore legal and financial components of the school organization from
a systemic and student-centered leadership perspective. Specific topics will include:
federal, state and municipal law; state rules and regulations; local policy and school
governance structures; human resources; Vermont’s education funding system; local
budget components, planning and development. Participants will be required to
gather/access local school community related documents – including budgets, financial
audits, annual school reports, Action Plans and policy manuals. Participants will learn to
access financial and legal information and develop fundamental understanding of this
content to assist them in current and future school leadership roles.
GED 580 Approaches to Teaching (3 cr.)
Instructor: Katie Lenox (233-0472)
Tuesday, 3:00pm-5:30 pm at Colchester High School, Room 103
Observations from 12:50-2:20pm at Colchester High School, 125 Laker Lane,
Colchester with class to follow (starts 2nd week of class)
For individuals interested in teaching at the middle and high school level, this course
allows students to investigate the practical realities of teaching. Two essential questions
will guide our inquiry in Approaches to Teaching:
1) What are “best practices” in regards to teaching middle and high school in general
and in your content specific area in particular, and how can we incorporate them into
our teaching routines?
2) What are the more compelling of the many (and diverse) middle and high school
reform initiatives, and how can we incorporate those we deem worthy into our practice
of teaching?
We will consider these two questions by following several strands: content specific
considerations, emerging and noteworthy issues, views of expert practitioners from the
field, and the development of a “pedagogical toolkit” to help you as you begin your
practices.
Includes an estimated 20 hours of focused observation outside of the classroom.
GED 581 Supporting Students with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges (3 cr.)
Instructor: Richard Reid
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course examines commonly occurring emotional and behavioral disorders of
childhood and how they influence student learning. Participants will develop an
understanding of specific disorders that can serve to inform appropriate instructional
strategies and interventions. Empirically derived and research supported interventions
and strategies to support these students will be explored An emphasis will be placed on
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Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
structuring general education learning environments to accommodate the needs of a
diverse range of students, as well as the identification of specific programs and
strategies to support children with various disabilities. General educators will gain skills
and knowledge to incorporate into their classrooms while special educators will expand
their base of knowledge to support their consultation to general education personnel.
GED 596 Digital Media: Imagine the Possibilities 3 cr.)
Instructor: Michelle Saffran
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
Rapid advancements in digital technologies have increased opportunities and challenges
for educators to integrate digital media into their classroom. This course offers handson experience with digital media production through a variety of tools and techniques.
Learn how to interpret and make informed judgments about media, as well as become a
skillful creator of media messages. Explore practical ways to integrate digital media into
curriculum and literacy through the development of personal creative projects. Topics
include video production, digital photography, photo editing, web publishing, animation,
and audio production across devices such as camera, tablet, smart phone and computer.
This course emphasizes creativity, design and skill building while addressing the
principles and elements of design across modalities. All are welcome with or without
prior experience.
GED 613 Mathematics in a K-8 Classroom (3 cr.)
Instructor: Tim Whiteford
Tuesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
This course is designed to explore the many wonderful aspects of helping elementary
and middle school students discover the mathematical nature of the world in which we
live. The focus will be on developing course participants’ understanding of the
mathematics we expect students to learn, as well as an understanding of the way they
learn during their elementary and middle school years. The course will focus on the
application of manipulative materials in the development of students’ conceptual and
procedural knowledge, and relational understanding of mathematics. The course will
focus on the Common Core Standards for math content and practices.
GED 621 Supervision, Evaluation and Teacher Development (3 cr.)
Instructor: Laura Singer
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
In this course students will look at, from a systems perspective, the main functions of
the administrator as supervisor and evaluator. Students will examine effective
pedagogy and theories of adult and teacher development as the foundation for
meaningful supervision, growth and evaluation of staff. Students will explore mentoring,
coaching, and supervision in the context of the professional learning community.
Throughout the semester they will develop and practice the skills needed to effectively
supervise, promote growth and evaluate staff, from novice to expert, competent to
incompetent.
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Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
GED 623 Ceramics for Educators (3 cr.)
Instructor: Jeremy Ayers
Monday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
Burlington City Arts Clay Studio, 250 Main Street, Memorial Auditorium, Street Level,
Burlington, VT 05401, 802-860-7474
This course invites educators to engage in the art of ceramics. Our hands-on experience
is designed for you to develop wheel-working and hand-building skills while building a
foundation for the rich cultural, historic, and aesthetic qualities of clay. On the wheel,
we will explore the skills of creating functional pottery introducing all the essential
stages starting from the elements of clay to wet clay through glazing. In hand-building
we will explore the varied strategies and tools to build with clay. You will be exposed to
different firing and glazing techniques. Individually, participants will create lesson plans
that link directly to their curriculum and corresponding Vermont Standards and GLE’s
and become part of a portfolio of work in clay. Those with or without ceramic
experience are welcome. There is a $175.00 materials fee due at registration. Students
will be responsible to pay BCA for their purchase of clay and any other material used.
GED 633 Legal and Professional Issues in Special Education (3 cr.)
Instructor: TBD
Thursday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
Students will come to understand the legal rights and requirements that affect learners
with disabilities and their families. The interpersonal aspects of the special educator’s
role and current issues in special education are explored. Emphasis is on completing
special education paperwork, family-centered services and ethical decision-making.
GED 635 Middle Grades – Organizational Strand (3 cr.)
Instructor: Jacqueline Gale
Wednesday, 5:00pm-7:30pm
(Cross listed with ED-450)
Contemporary middle level schools are structured specifically to respond to the unique
nature of young adolescents. This course explores these structures in relation to middle
schoolers’ developmental needs. Topics include teaming, grouping, scheduling,
transition planning, and family involvement. Course participants are placed on
simulated interdisciplinary teams and experience the many decisions required to
function effectively as a 21st century middle grades team teacher.
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Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
GED 644 Approaches to Teaching Students with Special Needs (2 cr.)
Instructor: Mary Beth Doyle
Tuesday, 5:00-7:30pm
Dates: January 19 – March 22, 2016
Students focus on a variety of skills and approaches to build inclusive and successful
programs for students. Topics include co-teaching, working with paraprofessionals,
remedial strategies and accommodations, alternate assessment, administering COACH,
and more. This course is specifically designed for special educators who are teaching
students with a variety of disabilities inside and outside the classroom.
GED 645 Assistive Technology: Creating Access (1 cr.)
Instructor: Mary Beth Doyle
Tuesday, 5:00-7:30pm
Dates: March 29 – April 26, 2016
Participants will learn about different tools and applications which have been successful
in working with students with special needs. This course will explore a variety of devices
used for augmentative and alternative communication to enable students to access
their curriculum and to be included in their classroom setting.
GED 662 Special Education Practicum and Seminar: Part 2 (4 cr.)
Instructor: Karen Donovan
Wednesdays, every other week, 4:00-6:15 PM starting January 20th
In this practicum, graduate students work as team members in schools under the
direction of a field supervisor and a Saint Michael’s supervisor. They will be responsible
for writing lesson plans and reflections, conducting comprehensive evaluations and
developing IEPs. Students work on a response to instruction project by planning, making
instructional decisions and monitoring student progress. Students present the systems
they have developed to their peers. This is a school-based practicum and is limited to
students in the Special Education Program. Prerequisite: GED 661.
GED 686 Independent Research 1-6 credits
GED 687 Directed Readings 1-6 credits
These two courses allow matriculated students to study special topics in depth. The
student and instructor submit a proposed course description and an “Independent
Study Learning Contract” to the Academic Advisor using guidelines provided by
Graduate Programs in Education. After approval by the academic advisor, the course
proposal must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Programs in Education.
Registration must be completed by the third week of the semester.
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Graduate Education Course Descriptions
Spring 2016
GED 688D Practicum: Reading Teacher Specialist (3 cr.) Note: students must alert
Kristin Gehsmann, kgehsmann@smcvt.edu, of their intention to register for this
practicum by October 31st for the spring semester.
GED 699 Capstone Seminar in Graduate Education (3 cr.)
Instructor: James Nagle
Tuesdays, 5:00pm-7:30pm
GED 699 Capstone Seminar is a reading and writing intensive course that requires
students to examine academic literature, analyze data, and present findings from
students’ research projects. By the end of the course students will have written an
article length paper on their research project, and presented that paper in a public
forum at Saint Michael's College in late April, 2016.
Prerequisites: GED 558 Educator as Researcher; Approved Research Proposal by GED
558 Instructor; IRB Letter of Approval; and Completed Data Collection of Research
Project.
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