Area Directors:
Language Arts
Dr. Roger A. Ladd
Professor, Department of English, Theatre, and Foreign Languages
Director, Graduate English Education
Office: Dial Humanities Building 121
Phone: 910.521.6624
Email: roger.ladd@uncp.edu
Mathematics
Ms. Hillary Sessions
Director of Graduate Mathematics Education, Lecturer
Office: Oxendine Science 1213
Phone: 910.775.4419
Email: hillary.sessions@uncp.edu
Science
Dr. Rita Hagevik
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Director, Graduate Science Education
Office: Oxendine Science Building 2240
Phone: 910.521.6652
Email: rita.hagevik@uncp.edu
Social Studies
Dr. Serina Cinnamon
Professor, Department of History
Director, Graduate Social Studies Education
Office: Dial Humanities Building, Room 207
Phone: 910.521.6441
Email: serina.cinnamon@uncp.edu
Program Description
The advanced Middle Grades Education degree program is designed for experienced teachers who possess or who are eligible to hold an “A” license in middle grades education. Building on the background knowledge and experience of the classroom teacher, the program seeks to strengthen advanced academic competence and to relate advanced understandings of the learner, learning process, curriculum, and instructional strategies to the unique needs and characteristics of the emerging adolescent.
Program Goals
The Program will prepare the teacher to
1. Develop an understanding of the history and philosophy of middle grades education and theories about its future development, including organizational components and assessment and evaluation in the middle grades setting.
2. Develop an understanding of middle grades curriculum and practices appropriate for the emerging adolescent learner.
3. Develop a greater understanding of the theoretical base, research, and exemplary practices of middle grades education.
4. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the content and pedagogy of the middle grades curriculum.
5. Improve educational practice through self-reflection, self-evaluation, and action research.