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Department of Education

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The mission of the Education Department is (1) to prepare reflective, responsive professional educators with evidence-based teaching skills and strategies to support P-12 students in their learning and development in a global community, and (2) to advocate for best practices for all students in diverse educational environments.

The Education Department is committed to:

  • Building knowledge upon candidates' experience, which leads to learner-centered practice
  • Instilling an appreciation of individuality and multiculturalism within a national and global context
  • Creating and adapting general education environments for all learners, including those with exceptionalities
  • Developing open-minded, reflective problem solvers who are lifelong learners
  • Promoting student-centered, teacher-facilitated instruction and authentic assessment that integrate traditional and technology-enhanced approaches
  • Advocating for children
  • Fostering family and community involvement
All the certification programs at Eastern prepare our teacher candidates to understand and implement the Connecticut Common Core of Teaching (CCCT).
student presenting a child's book in front of a class of peers
professor in front of a classroom of college students explaining how to integrate picture books into a lesson
professor seated on the back of a chair speaking with the class
student teacher seated on the floor with preschool children engaged in circle time reading

Faculty Spotlights

David L. Stoloff

Professor – Educational Technology and the Social Foundations of Education

“I believe that learners should manage and own their own learning and should find meaning in what they study.” Read More

David L. Stoloff

Sudha Swaminathan

Professor and Director, Center for Early Childhood Education

“Seeing my students comfortable and confident in talking about their research, showcasing their capacity for reasoning and critical thinking, never fails to inspire and impress me. Those are the best moments.” Read More

Sudha Swaminathan

Mark A. Fabrizi

Professor and Department Chair

“Teaching should be purposeful and valuable to both the individual and society. I am strongly influenced by the pedagogical beliefs of Paulo Freire and John Dewey.” Read More

Mark A. Fabrizi

Tanya Moorehead

Associate Professor

“We have a campus environment where everyone is learning, open to conversations. I can even invite President Núñez to speak to my class.” Read More

Tanya Moorehead

Laura Rodriguez

Associate Professor

“Nurturing relationships is a combination of demonstrating care and respect for your students with explicit teaching of interactional norms and communicating high expectations.” Read More

Laura Rodriguez

Kwangwon Lee

Associate Professor

“Through my course in Play and Development, I get the opportunity to see our candidates begin the journey of developing their teaching philosophy and competencies.” Read More

Kwangwon Lee

In the News

A little rascal maneuvers muddy obstacles.

VIDEO: ‘Fun Mud Day’ mediates mini-shenanigans

 May 05, 2026

Adorable antics were abundant during Fun Mud Day on May 1 at Eastern's Child and Family Development Resource Center (CFDRC). The 12th annual event encourages young children to get dirty as they maneuver the on-campus preschool's muddy playground.

Student presenting

VIDEO: Students shine at CREATE conference

 May 04, 2026

Student research and creative activity took center stage at Eastern Connecticut State University on April 24 during the annual CREATE conference, a campus-wide celebration of undergraduate scholarship.

Stephanie Sawyer '08 M'10

4 alumni take the helm as school principals

 January 08, 2026

Since its founding in 1889 as a normal school tasked with preparing primary school teachers, Eastern Connecticut State University has seen thousands of teaching candidates graduate to become educators and administrators in schools across Connecticut and beyond. Over the years, many Eastern graduates have become leaders of their institutions. In the past decade alone, more than 90 alumni have served as principals and heads of school. Four recent principal appointments for the 2025-26 academic year demonstrate the leadership and devotion that have marked Eastern alumni for more than 135 years.

Eastern’s teacher preparation program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Programs of Study

  • Eastern graduates the greatest number of Early Childhood majors in Connecticut. Early Childhood students become communities of learners as they prepare to become future teachers in a cohort model. Faculty members and teacher candidates are active participants in the nationally renowned Center for Early Childhood Education and the nationally accredited model preschool Child and Family Development Resource Center, and as partners in regional schools throughout eastern Connecticut. Teaching candidates spend more than 600 hours in classrooms. Additional teaching endorsements available in special ed, health, music, art and world languages. Graduates can earn their advanced master’s degree in Education at Eastern with one additional year of study.

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  • Recognized by Colleges of Distinction, Eastern’s Elementary Education program prepares teachers to be educational leaders at many National Blue Ribbon Schools. Teacher candidates gain competence in pedagogy; academic content areas; educational technology; and knowledge integration, while demonstrating how to create learning environments to support student diversity. Eastern’s program includes liberal art core electives, a dual major in a subject area, and hands-on student teaching experiences. Candidates spend more than 600 hours in classrooms. Additional teaching endorsements available in special ed, health, music, art and world languages. Graduates can earn their advanced master’s degree in Education at Eastern with one additional year of study.

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  • The Liberal Studies major at Eastern is offered exclusively to students who are preparing to become elementary or early childhood educators. Students may complete the undergraduate education program or enroll in the Early Start master’s degree program to earn their certification. The program offers concentrations in the Natural Sciences, History/Social Sciences, English, Mathematics and Environmental Earth Sciences to prepare students for certification as early childhood or elementary teachers and develop in-depth expertise in a single subject.

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  • The Physical Education major is designed for students who have a love of physical education and a special interest in working in sport and exercise activities. The program provides excellent preparation for careers in school physical education programs and other related agencies such as YMCAs, YWCAs, boys and girls clubs, and city or town public and private recreation programs and clubs. The major emphasizes studies in exercise science, instructional philosophy, and pedagogical analysis and techniques. The hallmark of this distinctive program is extensive clinical field experiences in public schools and professional agencies. A Physical Education minor is available to non-PE majors.

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  • Candidates preparing for teaching careers in grades 4-12 take a major in five subject areas, in addition to the Secondary Education Certification concentration. Applicable subjects include English, Mathematics, Environmental Earth Science, History/Social Studies and Biology. Teacher candidates gain skills in content pedagogy, cultural competence, data literacy, educational technology and in differentiating for diverse learners.

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