Photo: New York Times Bestselling Author Nic Stone and Mariama Lockington, research administrative coordinator in the UK College of Education Office of Clinical Preparation and Partnerships.
A University of Kentucky pilot program is accelerating the time it takes some elementary education majors to earn a degree, meeting the needs of both schools and teacher candidates.
The seniors, majoring in elementary education and special education, spent weeks gaining experience in classrooms across the school district and taking coursework focused on curriculum development. The final day of class, known as "unit day," is a culminating hands-on activity for the practicum semester, showing skills gained in designing and teaching an interdisciplinary unit of instruction.
Together, the school personnel principals and other district leaders create a simulation for graduating seniors in elementary education to put the finishing touches on their interviewing skills and prepare for the hiring process.
Eleven university faculty and teaching assistants were recognized by the University of Kentucky with the 2022 Outstanding Teaching Awards on Thursday, April 21 in the J. David Rosenberg College of Law Grand Courtroom.