This spring 2014, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu will offer the bachelor of education degree with new concentrations in middle-level (grades 6-8) and secondary (grades 6-12) English and social studies. These programs, developed to address the need for teachers in Central and Leeward area schools and throughout the State of Hawaiʻi, offer a strong liberal arts curriculum for those specializing in teaching the English language arts and/or social studies.
“UH West Oʻahu plays an important role in raising the educational capital of our state and providing degree programs that lead to high-demand careers,” said UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Rockne Freitas. “Our new teacher education programs help to generate local teachers dedicated to the Central and Leeward Oʻahu communities they serve.”
“Education Division faculty are extremely excited about implementing our new middle-level and secondary education programs in English and social studies,” said UH West Oʻahu Chair of the Education Division, Mary Heller. “Interest is high among potential teacher candidates seeking to enter the teacher workforce, especially in Leeward and Central Oʻahu. We look forward to welcoming new education majors and providing high quality teacher preparation in the service of teaching and learning in grades 6-12, in addition to our established elementary (K-6) program of study.”
UH West Oʻahu’s middle-level and secondary education programs prepare knowledgeable, skillful, responsive educators for a global society. Studies encompass an innovative, field-based teacher preparation program, as well as service learning activities that support Central and Leeward communities.
Teacher candidates will participate in more than 200 hours of field-based coursework, culminating in a 15-week, full-time professional student teaching semester. English or social studies classroom teachers mentor candidates who will be placed in area schools, including Kapolei Middle & High School, Ewa Makai Middle School, Campbell High School, Nanakuli Intermediate and High School, Wheeler Middle School and Leilehua High School, and Waipahu Intermediate & High School.
The UH West Oʻahu education division is accredited by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that helps establish high quality teacher preparation. In addition to the new middle-level and secondary teacher tducation programs, UH West Oʻahu offers a bachelor of education degree with a concentration in elementary education (grades K-6), as well as a bachelor of arts degree with a concentration in early childhood education.
