PSYED 1025
Professional Issues Seminar
CASE Program
Thursdays, 12:40-3:20 P.M.
Spring 2015
4301 Posvar Hall
Instructor: Anna Arlotta-Guerrero, Ph.D.
Phone: 412-624-0306 Office: 5935 Posvar
Email: ana28@pitt.edu
Office hours: Upon request
Course Description: The Professional Seminar will focus on becoming a highlyeffective professional in the field of early childhood education. This course will examine
current issues in education and influences that affect children, youth, and families. The
course will provide students with opportunities to study topics that are at the forefront of
education in the current context. This course will also define ethical conduct and how it
relates to children, families, colleagues, and communities. The course will introduce the
important roles of policymakers, including local, state, and national organizations in early
childhood education.
Course Objectives:
 Students will understand and interpret NAEYC's code of ethical conduct and
Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators.
 Students will understand the Pennsylvania Quality Assurance of Pennsylvania,
and understand the Core Body of Knowledge (CBK), as well as begin a
Professional Development Record (PDR).
 Students will understand PA's Early Learning Standards and how they align with
curriculum and instruction.
 Students will understand educational policy issues and current research that
impact instruction and learning.
 Students will become familiar with early childhood advocacy groups in
Pennsylvania and on the national level.
 Students will develop strategies for communicating and supporting children,
parents, and colleagues.
 Students will support the development of their personal approach to instruction
and learning and reflect on personal and professional practices.
 Students will review the characteristics of highly-effective teachers, including
understanding the importance of positive expectations, classroom management,
and lesson mastery.
Date
Jan 8
Jan
15
Discussion Topic
Introduction and review of
syllabus
Assignments/Readings
In-class reading:
Danielson Ch 3
Intro Harry Wong text and
Charlotte Danielson text
Education Week
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_co
mmon_ground/2014/01/10_critical_issues_f
acing_education.html
Personal/Professional Values and
Ethics
Readings:
NAEYC Code of Ethics
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positi
ons
/Ethics%20Position%20Statement2011.pdf
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
PA Code of Professional Practice
and Conduct for Educators
PA Code of Prof Practice and Conduct
www.pacode.com
Resolving an Ethical Dilemma
Readings
Danielson Ch 6
Jan
22
Jan
29
Feb 5
Feb
12
Feb
19
Overview of the framework for
teaching
Readings:
Danielson Ch 1 & 2
PDE Assessment Tool
In-class reading:
Danielson Ch 5
Discuss Professional
Development Group Project
The framework for professional
practice
Domains 1 thru 4
Readings:
Danielson Ch 4
Current Issues in Education
The Common Core and Early
Childhood Education
No class
Workshop Day for Group
Projects
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/11_Comm
onCore1_2A_rv2.pdf
Characteristics of the highly
effective teacher
Readings:
Wong – Unit A
Feb
26
Positive expectations for all
children
Readings:
Wong – Unit B
Wong – Unit D
Mastering the Lesson Plan
Mar 5
Speaker Presentation
Mar
12
Spring Break
Mar
19
Classroom Management
Professionalism in the classroom,
the school, and the community
Professional Development
Group Presentations
3 groups will present
Mar
26
Professional Development Group
Presentations
3 groups will present
Apr 2
No class meeting
Apr 9
Open Date – Meetings or
Presentations
Open Date – Meetings or
Presentations
Finals Week
Apr
16
Apr
23
Readings:
Wong – Unit C
Wong – Unit E
Assignment:
Waiting for Superman Reflection
Assignment: 3 groups will present
Assignment:
Group Presentations
Grading System:
Film Reflection
20 points
Professional Development Presentation/Paper
40 points
Speaker Series Attendance/Reflection
30 points
Participation and Attendance
10 points
Total:
100 points
Required Texts:
Wong, Harry & Wong, Rosemary T. (2009). The First Days of School: How To Be
An Effective Teacher, 4th Edition, Harry K. Wong Publications Inc.
Danielson, Charlotte (2007). Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for
Teaching, 2nd Edition, ASCD
Description of Assignments:
Waiting for Superman/Film Reflection: We will watch the film Waiting for Superman
and discuss our opinions about the issues presented in the film. You will also write a
two-page paper about your opinions as well. (20 points)
Professional Development Presentation and Paper: Throughout this term we will
oftentimes discuss curriculum, especially as it aligns with standards and assessments.
Your group will work together to prepare what could be considered a Professional
Development session, or a staff training for other Early Childhood educators, regarding a
current and relevant topic Each member of the group should plan to speak and each
member must write their own two-page paper about the presentation process. Your
presentation should last about 20 minutes. Your paper is NOT a review of the topic itself
but, instead, a discussion about the actual process of researching the topic, deciding main
points to present, collaboration and presenting. (40 points)
Speaker Series Attendance/Reflection: In the first few weeks of the term you will be
given a list of presentations taking place in the university. You are to choose one of these
presentations to attend and then to reflect upon what you learned in a two-page, doublespaced paper. (30 points)
Attendance and participation: As you move forward to the conclusion of your senior
year it is increasingly important for you to have a voice and to be heard in our classroom
discussions. This will benefit you now as a student and as you enter into student teaching
next year and then become a teacher in your own classroom. (15 points)
Students with Specific Needs
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you
are encouraged to contact your instructor and Disability Resources and Services, 216
William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890 or 412-383-7355 (TTY) as early as possible in the
term. Disability Resources and Services reviews documentation related to a student’s
disability, provides verification of the disability and recommends reasonableS
accommodations for specific courses.