In 1970, The Department of Early Childhood Education began moving lives forward by developing teachers. Four decades later, we’re still at it and we’ve grown. We now have 32 faculty teaching over 700 students in 8 degree programs and have distinguished ourselves in array of scholarly initiatives from presentations and publications to sponsored research.
You might be surprised to learn that in a given semester we touch the lives of nearly 40,000 children in over 70 schools and 16 prekindergarten centers. We are making an impact locally by responding to the changing needs of Georgia’s children. For example, ECE prepares teachers who demonstrate competencies in teaching English Language Learners and meeting the unique needs of special education students. Our graduates continue to demonstrate their commitment to serve children and their families in high needs schools.
And, we are making an impact internationally as more and more ECE students participate in study abroad programs, in Mexico, China, Turkey, Korea, Ethiopia and several European countries.
We recently welcomed our newest degree program, Birth Through Five, reunited with Teach For America, added a new master’s program in mathematics education and expanded our reach beyond our metro campus with the inauguration of the BSED Program at the GSU Alpharetta Campus.
Teaching is a demanding profession and typically, 40% of teachers drop out of teaching within the first 3-5 years. In contrast, 91% of ECE undergraduates remain in teaching during this same time period.
So what do these statistics mean to you?
As a GSU graduate you will have an impressive heritage.
Education has been called the civil rights issue of our generation. With opportunity, guidance and support, children can do extraordinary things. You will leave the College of Education with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to help all children learn and grow and prosper. You will also have what it takes to be an effective educator who can have an enduring, productive and rewarding career. Graduates of our programs readily find teaching and leadership positions in public and private schools, in consultancies and in higher education.
Our faculty members are very active in university, community, state, national and international activities and organizations. We are engaged in scholarship in many areas including constructivism, literacy, mathematics, social studies, science, teacher development, children’s play, urban education, and multicultural issues.
For those of you who are considering a degree in Early Childhood Education, at the undergraduate or graduate level, I encourage you to consider joining this exciting department where faculty members are passionate about the work they do.
Come join us. I am honored to share the teaching profession with each of you! Enjoy exploring our web site.
