We believe that pre-service teachers are best prepared when they learn how to teach in real classrooms. Thus, the undergraduate teacher education programs at St. Bonaventure University are primarily field-based. While our candidates are developing their knowledge and skills, they spend a significant amount of time interning and teaching in area schools that have joined our program as Professional Development Schools (PDS). During these PDS semesters, SBU students learn to teach in “risk-free” environments where they are mentored daily by program faculty.
Listen to What Our Graduates Say…..
“The Education Department at St. Bonaventure provides a solid foundation for your future as an educator. Walking into your classroom as a first-year teacher, you are more prepared than most. The field experiences that St. Bonaventure is able to provide help you to adjust to the first-year teaching experience.
"As a first-year teacher, I was nervous, but the experiences I had as an undergrad made me welcome the challenges I would face. St. Bonaventure is more than just a place to get an education; it is a place to grow and develop your own teaching style.”
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Lauren Stuff, a 2007 graduate with Elementary and Children with Disabilities (Special Education) dual certification, was hired right after graduation by the Olean City School District.
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Jennifer Crawford majored in Elementary Education as an undergraduate and got her Children with Disabilities (Special Education) certification as an SBU graduate student. She taught special education and is now a second-grade teacher in the Olean City School District.
Jennifer says, “The St. Bonaventure Field Block Program gave me an authentic and realistic teaching experience. The professors and clinical faculty were always available to guide and assist me with lesson preparations and immediate feedback on lessons. The faculty not only were my teachers but my professional peers. I never felt like my professors were just trying to get me through the course. They wanted to make me the best teacher that I could be.”
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Meghan Snihur, a 2006 graduate.
Meghan says, “The rigor of St. Bonaventure.s education program had me so prepared for my first job! The experiences I gained from Field Block, as well as student teaching, made me at ease during the stressful first year and put me years ahead of some of my colleagues. Bonaventure also gave me a lot of technology ideas that helped me in the interview process. The eFolio is extremely impressive looking and what sold me to my current principal. I would recommend the education program at St. Bonaventure to anyone and everyone."
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SBU students explore ideas and discuss classroom practice with their faculty mentors as they transition from student to professional teacher. The program faculty are experienced elementary, early childhood and special education teachers themselves and they share their passion for teaching with SBU teacher education students.
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Why choose SBU? So that you, too, can become an extraordinary educator!
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Contact Information
For more information on the degree in elementary education/children with disabilities (special education), please contact
Dr. Nancy Casey, Chair
(716) 375-2141
ncasey@sbu.edu
If you wish to apply to this program, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at St. Bonaventure University at 1 (800) 462-5050 for undergraduate admission materials.
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