These two students in the CLASS (Collaborative Learning And School Success) teacher education program at USM LAC have achieved candidacy status and are now working with mentor teachers with the program’s partner schools.  From left to right are Nicole Caron and Scott Emery.  Not pictured but also achieving candidacy were Lori Caron and Ashley Dube.

January 2008

The CLASS (Collaborative Learning And School Success) professional teacher program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College has announced the achievement of candidacy status for four of its students.  Lori Caron, Nicole Caron, Ashley Dube, and Scott Emery successfully completed scholarly and practicum work in the elementary education field attaining proficiency in child development, content knowledge, technology, diversity, educational philosophy, and professionalism.  These students will continue to study and research the elementary education field at the graduate level, learning to teach at the Kindergarten to grade eight level.

Dr. Paul G. Caron, Associate Professor of Education, stated that during candidacy the students work with mentor teachers at two professional development partner schools in Auburn: Sherwood Heights Elementary School and Auburn Middle School.  “Based on the concept of simultaneous renewal, both the mentor teachers and candidates collaborate to create and apply learning curricula and practices based on current research.” Added Caron:  “They share their knowledge and talents in creating effective learning environments benefiting all students.”

In addition to attending regular classes for their academic major, the CLASS candidates spend one and a half days per week at one of the partner schools, and devote at least 4-5 hours of this time with students in the classroom.  The candidates are beginning the process of making connections between what they have learned and what they see in the classroom.  Achieving candidacy status gives the students more time to practice the theories they have researched and studied. 

Upon completion of the candidacy period of the CLASS program, the students work as teaching interns for a full year under the guidance of mentors.  Students then graduate with a bachelor’s degree in a content area, a State of Maine teaching certificate (K-8), and 36 graduate credits.  

Applications for fall admission to the CLASS program are currently being accepted.  More information is available online at www.usm.maine.edu/lac/class or by calling Jim Bradley at 753-6618.