Interdisciplinary Studies for Elementary Educators (ISEE)
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies for Elementary Educators (ISEE) is an undergraduate program offered by School of Education that provides a very unique interdisciplinary elementary education program that continues to grow since the program started in 2016.
Students interested in teaching general content subjects at the Elementary (K-6) level are provided with a well-rounded subject matter education. They are prepared with knowledge in mathematics, English, science and social studies, and together with their pedagogical courses become confident and marketable teacher candidates.
The ISEE program also provides the path for a third teaching certificate; students in the ISEE program will be eligible to apply for Middle School Subject Matter Specialization (5-8) in Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. Students will need to additionally take the Praxis Test for Middle School Education (5047 for Language Arts, 5169 for Mathematics, 5440 for Science, or 5089 for Social Studies).
Program Distinctiveness
- Students take courses that are specifically designed for this major and their future teaching.
- Teacher candidates can become elementary school teachers who have strong content knowledge in all subjects, especially in STEM.
- Students are provided expert personalized advising to lead to success.
- Cross-discipline faculty guide students through their studies to ensure job knowledge and growth.
- Teacher candidates get supervised service learning and Clinical Experience (fieldwork) in all areas to instill confidence and skills in elementary education.
- Candidates apply their knowledge and expertise in the final Clinical Practice (student teaching), with additional opportunity for teacher residency internship.
- Capstone course teaches interdisciplinary instruction and fosters a strong understanding and teaching skills for social justice and local & global issues.
- Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) Endorsement is included in this program.
Interdisciplinary Learning for Interdisciplinary Instruction
ISEE provides students with various capstone course experiences in which they can learn how to design interdisciplinary instruction using the multiple-discipline knowledge. At the clinical experience placement, Christina Barlik is teaching her students about the Great Wall of China and her time studying abroad with Monmouth’s School of Education in China 2020. She created an interdisciplinary unit plan on China, its culture, geography, history, people, and the arts.
Competitive Program for Finding a Job
“[The] ISEE program has made [it] competitive in terms of finding a job. There was a job opening for both a Math and ELA interventionist. Since I was an Interdisciplinary major I was able to apply to both the Math and ELA position,” says Vincent Signorile, an ISSE graduate. “The program also enhanced my understanding of STEM both through content taught in the classes I have taken and in the classrooms that I have observed in. The faculty, advisors, and director of this program have been nothing short of amazing! They have been very helpful throughout my time at Monmouth.”
Wide Variety of Teacher Preparation
Students get supervised service learning and Clinical Experience in all areas to instill confidence and skills in elementary education. During the final Clinical Practice, they apply their knowledge and expertise. Here, Brianna Thorn, Class of 2020, is student-teaching in a first grade general education classroom, aligned with her elementary certification and P-3 endorsement. She will continue to pursue a special education master’s program to accomplish a 5 year plan.
Endorsements
The program includes Teachers of Students with Disabilities (TSD) Endorsement for Special Education Certification.
The program meets pre-requisites for the Middle School Certification with Subject Matter: Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in Grades 5-8. No additional courses are needed.
Additional Endorsements in the following are available:
Confidence and Marketability
Students interested in teaching the general content subjects of the Elementary (K-6) are provided with a well-rounded subject matter education. They are prepared with knowledge of math, English, science and social studies; and together with their pedagogical courses, become confident and marketable teacher candidates.COURSEWORK
Students will take specifically designed courses for this major. Some of these courses include:
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