Education Department

The Education Department at Roger Williams University is committed to helping you grow into a caring, competent educator.

You'll be exposed to the latest educational trends, developments and theories. You'll:

• Attend classes, workshops and seminars that examine the growing role of technology in modern education
• Work on original research projects that investigate the challenges facing public schools today
• Visit local classrooms to as part of a clinical placement experience. 

All students benefit from faculty mentoring and a variety of support services. Classes in the Education Department average 15 students. 

A statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We uphold the inherent dignity of youth. In doing so, we believe equity is central to the endeavor of educating, and that representation AND justice must work in tandem to improve outcomes for marginalized learners.

As the Education Department, we seek to prepare up-and-coming teachers who:

• are committed to active social justice and anti-racism
• engage in humane interactions with all youth, in service of their well-being
• collaboratively work towards equity in our communities by listening, engaging, and exhibiting humility and courage in equal measure.

Engagement with Under-Served Populations

We know that certain students – English language learners, students of color, students in poverty and students with disabilities - are often short-changed in schools. Equity and social justice are squarely on the minds of faculty and students at RWU .Throughout your time in the Education Department, you will be immersed in how to best educate under-served students. Your opportunities include:

• All Elementary majors complete a specialization in educating high-needs and marginalized youth, increasing your ability to teach all students well (and increasing your marketability!).
• Observations and teaching placements in settings that serve high-needs populations throughout your four years in the Education Department.
• Courses that specifically address the needs of children of color, children in poverty, English language learners and children with disabilities.
• Optional Saturday University courses that provide our students with increased opportunities to learn about issues and pedagogy for serving high-needs populations.

Engagement with Communities of Educators, Scholars, and Advocates

We believe in the value of exposing students to multiple communities, both professional and cultural.  Students have extended, consistent opportunities to engage with other teachers, scholars and experts in the field of Education.  Your possibilities include:

• Clinical observations in area schools beginning your first year.
• Opportunities to teach lessons in local schools during your sophomore year.
• An increasing number of placement hours, building towards your full-time immersion in student teaching senior year.
• Opportunities for in-house collaboration. Many faculty conduct research in settings that serve high-needs populations. Jump on board a project with one of our faculty. Read about their findings in respected journals. Help co-author a conference presentation.
• Opportunities to hear outside speakers on an array of topics, including working with urban youth and addressing identity issues.

Engagement with Expert Faculty AND the Larger Global Community

Students in the Education department experience the best of both worlds: access to expert faculty in a small environment while having endless access to the larger community in which we live. Your possibilities include:

• Courses led by expert faculty.  Education courses at RWU are not taught by teaching assistants or graduate students.
• Opportunities to work and learn with faculty who are well-published in their fields.
• Multiple advisors to help you navigate your time here. In addition to being assigned a faculty academic advisor for 4 years, all seniors have an additional faculty mentor to guide you in job searches and further graduate study.
• Opportunities for study abroad: You are able to study abroad for one semester.
• Opportunities to participate in Education Department- sponsored study abroad. Recent opportunities included trips to Japan and to Northern Ireland.

Engagement with Content and Pedagogy

• Elementary students complete an Education major AND declare core concentrations, which allow you to become an expert in Education and an additional field of your choosing.
• Secondary students complete full double majors. Our students major in both Education AND in the content area of your choosing.
• In response to a need in the teaching community for prepared science and math teachers, Elementary students complete coursework in the STEM fields (math, science, engineering and technology). You will engage in labs and clinical experiences in the STEM areas from your freshman year.