The goal of the Middle Grades Education program at UNCW is to assist in providing an appropriate education for early adolescents in grades 6-9 through the preparation of teachers who are well educated and professional competent. Students in our program may select two areas of specialization (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies). In addition, they complete as many as 80+ hours of field experience in at least three middle schools before the practicum/internship semester.

Target audience: undergraduate students who would like to earn a North Carolina teaching license in the middle grades (6-9).

Program goals:

Teacher Candidates will demonstrate leadership by applying the major constructs (concepts, principles, theories, and standards) related to young adolescent development and developmentally responsive middle schools.

Teacher Candidates will establish a respectful educational environment for diverse learners by adapting instruction based on analysis of the individual needs (e.g., learning, social, emotional) of young adolescents and their community contexts.

Teacher candidates will demonstrate content knowledge by applying major content-specific constructs (concepts, principles, theories, language, and standards) during field experiences and internship.

Teacher Candidates will facilitate student learning through the learning cycle ( planning, instruction, and assessment) by applying a variety of developmentally appropriate strategies and technologies to meet the learning needs of young adolescents.

Teacher Candidates will reflect on their practice by analyzing student learning to inform their instruction and professional development.