College-bound students wanting to become teachers can earn academic credit through a partnership SUNY Fredonia formed with Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.
The New Visions in Education program is an academically rigorous program that provides an opportunity for qualified students to gain hands-on experience while simultaneously earning high school and college credit. The program will also prepare students to take the NYS Teacher Assistant Certification exam and earn the credits required for advanced levels of the Teaching Assistant Certificate.
“This is a great opportunity for students to have a college experience before they graduate from high school,” said College of Education, Health Sciences, and Human Services Dean Janeil Rey. “Students will take their classes on the SUNY Fredonia campus in our classrooms and have access to all the resources of the campus, including the library, computer labs and joining clubs with our college students.”
Through this immersive, one-year program, students can earn up to 18 credit hours that can be applied to an undergraduate degree at SUNY Fredonia or other school at no cost to them.
The program provides a thorough exploration of the education profession, giving students insight into the roles of teachers, social workers, school psychologists, counselors and administrators.
Through early field experiences, students will observe day-to-day operations and develop skills in classroom management, lesson planning and data-driven instruction. They will observe and work with students, teachers and related professionals in diverse classrooms settings.
Instruction on the history and philosophy of education, gaining a broad understanding of the profession’s impact on society are also included.
Students who are accepted into the program attend classes on the campus on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and classes in their home district or BOCES each morning and serve as volunteers in a classroom in their district on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
“With the shortages of certified teachers in our region, we decided a new Visions in Education program would be an excellent opportunity for our students in our component districts who are interested in pursuing a career in education,” said Leo Fial, director of P-Tech, CTE and Program Innovation at Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.
“Our goal for the New Visions program in education is to provide students the opportunity to take college level courses that are credit bearing on the SUNY Fredonia campus while completing their senior year at their home school district,” Mr. Fial explained.
Interested students should apply during their junior year and go through an application process that includes an online submission, two letters of recommendation and an interview. Accepted students will be required to complete the SUNY Fredonia application to enter the program.
Successful completion of the New Visions program with a cumulative high school average of 85 guarantees a student’s acceptance into SUNY Fredonia’s College of Education, Health Sciences, and Human Services.
“I tell our students at SUNY Fredonia, there’s never been a better time to become a teacher because you’re needed and wanted, and the work you’re willing to do is so significant,” Dr. Rey said.
For more information, contact Alycia Lacki, LoGuidice Education Center counselor, at (716) 672-4372, extension 2001, or email alacki@e2ccb.org
