SPED 125 Summer 1A: Classroom and Behavior Management (3 units). Research supports the fact that classroom management skills are perhaps the most important set of teacher skills influencing student learning. The goal of this course is to help future teachers with specific strategies for creating positive, supportive, respectful environments that encourage all students to view themselves and learning in a positive manner. During this course we will explore the relationship between behavior and environment antecedents and consequences, and examine how environmental variables may be manipulated in order to increase appropriate behavior and decrease inappropriate behavior. The course is designed to provide students with the type of instruction and activities that will allow them to: (a) engage in comprehensive and effective screening and instructional practices for students who struggle behaviorally with EBD, ASD, DCD, OHD, & SLD; (b) be critical thinkers with respect to issues of problem-solving, planning, and policy-making; and (c) demonstrate leadership within their classrooms, schools, districts, communities, and beyond.
SPED 135 Summer 1C: Collaboration, Culture, and Co-Teaching (3 units). The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the role of special education in American society and how it is impacted by diverse perspectives and the legal framework that guides it. Teacher candidates will learn about the importance of collaboration with a variety of education stakeholders. This course will also focus on the different models of co-teaching a special education teacher could encounter in the schools, as well as understanding the role of culture in the classroom. Teacher candidates will not only explore their own cultural competence but reflect on how their own culture (and comfort level) may translate to their work in special education.
SPED 105 Introduction to Educational Psychology (3 units). The purpose of Educational Psychology is to understand major topics in educational psychology, child development, and that everyone learns differently. Principles of learning, cognition, classroom management, motivation, instruction, assessment, intelligence, reasoning, moral & cognitive development, and diversity will be studied. Theories such as behaviorism, social cognitive, constructivism, and humanism will also be considered. This course is offered the summer prior to the candidate starting the program.