dan macisaac, physics dave henry, elementary education suny buffalo state college...
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Dan MacIsaac, Physics
Dave Henry, Elementary Education
SUNY Buffalo State College
Alternative Certification for
HS Physics Teachers
What are we?STEMTP, 4 years, beginning 15 June 2003Physics certification/M.S.Ed.Housed in physics department with collaborationsSummer Academy
Pre-service and in-service Physics teachers K-8 in-service
Notable history in physics teacher trainingInstitutional commitment
New master’s program: Physics Education Alternative Certification in Physics New tenure-track position to support programs
Program DescriptionSummer Physics Teachers’ Academy Workshop-Courses
2-3 weeks, 30 participants each, 6 credits -intensive PHY 510: New Physics Teachers Workshop PHY 620: Mechanics OR PHY 622 E&M (alt summers) PHY 594+EDU 671 Constructing science understanding in elementary
classroom Master teacher instructors and faculty cadre
Participants PAY TUITION! ($1800-$2600 per 6-credit course)
Master’s program accessible to teachers throughout NY state Summer Academy On-line courses Evening courses (@ BSC)
Western New York Physics Teachers Alliance (1 Sat am/month)Collaborators
Buffalo Public and 17 additional LEAs Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural Education Local Industry; SUNY-Jamestown Community College
Alternative Certification …
Alternative Certification Requirements
Admissions Degree in physics or related area, 3.0 GPA or better
Introductory component (Spring + Summer semester min)
Education foundation courses (12cr) 200 clock hours of content pedagogy core study
PHY 510 & PHY 620/622 40 Hours field experience Candidate responsible for securing teaching position! With all of the above, the candidate receives Transitional-
B Certification
In-service component Mentored teaching (school responsibility) HE supervision (once per month)
Complete Master’s program
Some Accomplishments
“This is the most valuable thing that I’ve ever done for my students, myself, and my profession.”
“I would go to anything that these instructors presented. They are the best mentors I have ever worked with. I really believe no one should be certified without attending this workshop.”
“My physics students in the upcoming school year thank you all!!”
“ALL aspects of this program were outstanding.”
“This was the most useful seminar I have ever attended.”
“The instructors gave and gave and gave – great material, advice, guidance, and more. They are truly professionals!”
Lessons Learned from Alt Cert Program (so far)
Most (11/11) AC candidates - male engineersHigh Needs LEA physics implodingAC candidates bring maturity, unusual exp, altruismWord-of-mouth + business press recruitingSelf efficacy - image - PCK - content issuesPlacement and agreement help neededCourse expectations, grading, continuityInstitutional change, turf wars, clerical helpSome schools desperate; ill-consideredMotivations & needs for fast vs. slow trackBottlenecks: observations (502); Master’s project
Alternative Certification Enrollmentand plans
Summer 2002: 2 AC Teacher CandidatesSummer 2003: 5 AC Teacher CandidatesSummers 2004-7: 10 AC Teacher Candidates, depending on statewide placementsCurrently we have two teaching, one seeking employ
Work towardAttract underrepresented candidatesTuition and fellowship support for all AC candidatesTuition and stipends for all summer academy participantsTeachers materials and suppliesContinued institutional changeDissemination - publications, on-line video vignettes Continue building Buffalo Public partnership
Dan MacIsaac, Physics
Dave Henry, Elementary Education
SUNY Buffalo State College
Alternative Certification for
HS Physics Teachers