Education
What training is available?
Education Transfer
Chemeketa Community College can be your first step toward a future in education. We can help you explore a career as a licensed K-12 teacher, an instructional assistant, or an early childhood educator.
For students interested in teacher licensure, we offer efficient pathways that lead to university transfer. Western Oregon University, Portland State University and Oregon State University encourage students to gain as much teaching background and experience as possible at Chemeketa before transferring into their teacher licensure programs. Chemeketa is also where you will develop much of the content knowledge necessary to become a successful classroom teacher.
Each university has a preferred set of course requirements to make the transfer process work smoothly, so please get in touch with an Education Advisor early in the year.
Western Oregon University recommends that Elementary and Middle School education majors attending Chemeketa pursue a specific course of study leading to the Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree. Copies of this degree plan are available in the Advising Center. This transfer plan is particularly efficient in that every course is accepted as part of the WOU core curriculum or teaching major. In addition, by completing Chemeketa's ED100, ED229, ED113 and ED235, you can fulfill the requirements for the first term of the Education Core at WOU. Please see one of the Education Advisors for details.
Portland State University and Oregon State University also recommend that Education majors pursue an AAOT, though the requirements are slightly different. Please see an education advisor for the most current requirements.
Other Courses of Interest to Education Majors
Your Chemeketa program will vary depending on the level and subject you want to teach and the university you plan to attend. However, certain courses are common to almost all Education majors. For example, our Math 211/212/213 sequence is required by all three public universities for elementary and middle school teachers. Math 111 is also a requirement for those who wish to teach math at the middle school or high school levels. Phyllis Leonard, Program Chair for Mathematics, would be happy to advise you further on a teaching career in mathematics (503 399.6067; leop@chemeketa.edu).
All three public universities also require that Education majors have a strong background in science. Courses such as Biology 101, General Science 104, General Science 105 and General Science 106 target the needs of elementary and middle school teachers in the general classroom. If science is your passion, instructor Doug Ure can advise you about a teaching career in science at the middle or high school levels (503.399.6511; ured@chemeketa.edu)
Finally, teachers must demonstrate strong skills in writing, literature, and the social sciences. The Writing 121/122/123 sequence, courses from the English 104-109 sequence, Psychology 201, History 201/202/203, Geography 105 and Geography 106 are common to most Education transfer programs. Please see your advisor for details.
The Paraeducator Certificate Program targets the needs of those who wish to work as instructional assistants in the public schools. In this comprehensive 51-credit program you will learn how children learn, how to manage a classroom, how to help children with learning and language challenges, how to use technology to support learning, and how schools function in our society. This certificate program is endorsed by the Oregon Department of Education as evidence of having met the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind) for instructional assistants.
The Paraeducator Certificate is a statewide program. Students who do not reside in the Chemeketa district may complete some or all of the certificate requirements at their local community college. You may then transfer your local coursework to Chemeketa and complete the remaining certificate requirements through our distance education program.
Students pursuing the Paraeducator Certificate take a core of required courses including both general education and Education-specific courses. The general education component assures that the candidate has a foundation of basic skills in reading, writing, mathematics and technology. The Education component offers instruction in teaching strategies, human relations, communication, and non-instructional support skills. Also included are at least two practicum experiences at local school sites.
Early Childhood Education
If your main interest is in working with young children in preschools, day care centers, kindergartens and Head Start programs, you should explore Chemeketa's Early Childhood Education Programs. Chemeketa offers both certificate and degree programs in Early Childhood Education. For more information, visit the program website at http://ece.chemeketa.edu or see your advisor.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher Preparation
If you are an experienced professional who wants to share your skills by teaching at the high school level, Chemeketa's Career and Technical Education Teacher Preparation program can give you the skills you need. After about one year in the program, you can be eligible to apply for a special, renewable teaching license to teach in your subject area in Oregon public high schools.
To be accepted into this program, you will need to verify 4000 hours of work experience in a CTE field. Currently, these include:
- Agricultural Science and Technology
- Communications/Journalism
- Computer Technology
- Design and Applied Arts
- Engineering Technology
- Family/Consumer Services
- Financial Services
- Forestry/Natural Resources
- Health Sciences
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Integrated Environmental Technology
- Marketing/Management
- Mechanical Systems
- Manufacturing Technology (metals)
For more information contact Mark Rediske by e-mail or by telephone at 503.399.2693, or Cathie Whyte by e-mail or by telephone at 503.399.2694.
Updated October 2007 by the College Advancement Department.