The College Catalogue

• Nancy Jennings, Department Chair
• Lynn A. Brettler, Department Coordinator

• Associate Professors: Charles Dorn†, Nancy Jennings
• Assistant Professor: Doris A. Santoro
• Lecturer: Kathleen O’Connor
• Visiting Faculty: Kathryn Byrnes
• Fellow: Casey Meehan

Bowdoin College does not offer a major in education.

Requirements for the Minor in Education

The department offers two minors: a Teaching minor for students who plan to teach in some capacity following graduation and an Education Studies minor for those who do not. Four courses are required for the Education Studies minor: Education 101 and three others chosen from among Education 211, 212, 215, 250 (same as Government 219), 325. One independent study credit may be used to complete the Education Studies minor. Four courses are required for the Teaching minor: Education 101, 203, 301, 303. Courses that will count toward either minor must be taken on a graded basis (not Credit/D/Fail). Students must earn a grade of C- or better in order to have a course count toward either minor in education. Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses.

Bowdoin Teacher Scholars Program

The Bowdoin Teacher Scholars are a select group of Bowdoin undergraduates and graduates who embrace the College’s commitment to the common good by becoming teachers through a rigorous scholarly and classroom-based preparation.

The Teacher Scholars:

1. Complete a full-time, 14-week, student-teaching practicum in a public school.
2. Participate in an introspective weekly seminar.
3. Develop a professional portfolio.
4. Receive a Maine State Department of Education Public School Teaching Certificate, making them eligible to teach in any public school in the United States.
5. Gain access to the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia Teaching Induction Programs sponsored by the Consortium for Excellence in Teacher Education.

To become a Teacher Scholar, students must apply for candidacy through the education department, be a community member in good standing, and have a strong academic record. A cumulative 3.0 grade point average is required as well as a 3.0 grade point average in Education 301 and Education 303. Students must major in a subject area that enables them to be certified to teach by the State of Maine. Subject areas of certification include mathematics, life science, physical science, English, foreign language, and social studies. Since majors at Bowdoin do not correspond directly with subject areas for public school certification, students are strongly encouraged to meet with a member of the education department early in their college careers. Also note that teaching candidates must be fingerprinted and earn a passing score on all examinations specified by the Maine Department of Education. Since this requirement was first instituted, Bowdoin students’ pass rate has been 100%.

Pathways

Bowdoin Teacher Scholars follow one of two pathways. In the first, students participate in the program as undergraduates during the spring semester of their junior or senior year. In the second, they participate in the program during a spring semester within two years following their Bowdoin graduation.

Undergraduate Pathway

By the end of the fall semester of their junior or senior year, Teacher Scholars:

1. Complete prerequisite coursework (Education 101, 203, 215*, 301, and 303). *Education 215 may be taken in the spring of the junior or senior year while enrolled in Education 302 and 304.
   During the spring semester of their junior or senior year, Teacher Scholars:
2. Complete a full-time, 14-week practicum (students receive course credit for this practicum through Education 302: Student Teaching Practicum).
3. Enroll in Education 304: Bowdoin Teacher Scholars Seminar.

Postgraduate Pathway

By the time they graduate from Bowdoin, Teacher Scholars:

1. Complete prerequisite coursework (Education 101, 203, 301, and 303).
   
   During a spring semester and within two years of their Bowdoin graduation, Teacher Scholars:
   
   
2. Enroll in Education 215: Adolescents in Schools (if not taken prior to this time).
3. Complete a full-time, 14-week practicum (students receive course credit for this practicum through Education 302: Student Teaching Practicum).
4. Enroll in Education 304: Bowdoin Teacher Scholars Seminar.