Teaching Diverse Learners
Sheila Whitford
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Program Outcomes
Begin your career in a sector that is consistently seeking leaders to help shape the young minds of our community. Here's what you can expect post-graduation of the program.
- With the support from program faculty, earn the certification necessary to teach in Texas.
- With a near 100% pass-rate on the required exams, Rice-trained teachers have a 100% program-to-hire rate.
- Build the skillset and confidence necessary to lead and manage a classroom.
- Expand your network to our award-winning Rice teacher community.
- Successfully start a rewarding career that will inspire and challenge you every day.
Content Areas
.png)
As of 2022-2023, the Alternative Teacher Certification program offers teacher certification in the following content areas:
- Art (Early Childhood - Grade 12)
- English Language Arts & Reading (Grades 7-12)
- History (Grades 7-12)
- Life Science (Grades 7-12)
- Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
- Physical Science (Grades 6-12)
- Science Composite (Grades 7-12)
- Social Studies Composite (Grades 7-12)
PROGRAM SESSIONS
Plan of Study
The Alternative Teacher Certification program is designed to provide future teachers with a holistic understanding of teaching pedagogy, strategy and practice. Over the course of three sessions, you will complete the professional education coursework, prepare for two state-required assessments (TExES and edTPA) and serve as a first-year teacher in a Houston-area school.
| Session One | Session Two | Session Three | ||
| Regular Track | Spring & Summer | Fall | Spring | |
| Accelerated Track | Summer | Fall | Spring | |
The plan of study includes a state of Texas teacher certification and requires 315 clock hours of non-credit professional education coursework and 30 hours of field experience/classroom observations.
Session Details
- Session One: Spring/Summer
-
Depending on your admissions cycle, you will begin your first session in the spring or summer semester. This session includes:
Professional Education Coursework
Four courses are taken in this session: Assessment; Teaching Diverse Learners; Race, Class, Gender in Education; and, Instructional Practice.Field Experience
Field experiences are classroom observational periods where you will become familiar with authentic learning environments. Whenever possible, you are paired with a fellow Rice-trained educator to provide opportunities to expand your network and connect on your shared experiences. While classroom observations are typically conducted in-person, a selection of your required hours may be completed in an online format.TExES exam prep
The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) is a content-specific computer-administered exam used to assess whether an individual has the knowledge and teaching skills required to become a first-year educator in Texas. The TExES exam must be passed to be hired as a teacher and earn your teaching certification. You will work with an advisor one-on-one to prepare to take and successfully pass the TExES exam. - Session Two: Fall
-
This session includes:
Professional Education Coursework
Three courses are taken in this session: Curriculum Development; Seminar for First-Year Teachers; and, Theory and Methods of Instruction.First-Year Teacher Internship (First Semester)
You will begin your paid internship for one full school year at a Houston-area public or TEA-accredited private school. In this school year, you are considered a first-year teacher and will receive a full teacher salary. - Session Three: Spring
-
This session includes:
Professional Education Coursework
One course is taken in this session: Seminar for First-Year Teachers.First-Year Teacher Internship (Second Semester)
You will continue your paid internship at a Houston-area public or TEA-accredited private school. In this school year, you are considered a first-year teacher and will receive a full teacher salary.edTPA portfolio preparation
edTPA is a national portfolio-based teacher performance assessment designed to measure a preservice teacher's readiness to enter the profession. - Calendar of Progression from Application to Standard Teacher Certification
-
Candidates interested in the Education Program will follow the process from application to admission and teacher preparation that will generate questions, develop learning strategies, and foster a similar development in students.
VIEW ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION CALENDAR OF PROGRESSION
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CLASSES
Course Spotlight
At the core of a great teacher is an innate ability to translate pedagogy principles into classroom practice. We provide a series of professional education coursework to help establish the foundations needed to be an effective practicing educator.
×
Teaching Diverse Learners
EDUCATCP002
Class Hours Per Week: 3
This course offers pedagogies for learners who have different ways of seeing the world, different experiences, and different learning needs. A variety of teaching methods and strategies help special needs students, gifted and talented students and English language learners succeed in the classroom. This course also addresses effective communication in ARDS, LPACS, and staffing within classrooms. Students learn about the support personnel who can assist the classroom teacher.
Sheila Whitford is a retired educator from Furr High School in Houston ISD where she served as a literacy coach, School Improvement Facilitator, and English teacher. She holds a BA in English and history from Texas Women’s University and her MBA from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Sheila serves as faculty in the program and also works with the department on compliance, academic program changes, admissions, program evaluation, the development of innovative new courses, field supervision, and strategic planning.
Assessment
Anthony Nguyen
×
Assessment
EDUCATCP003
Unit 1
Class Hours Per Week: 3
In this course, students will use formative and summative assessment to drive instructional decisions. Disaggregation of student data growth in the classroom and on standardized tests will foster academic achievement.
Anthony Nguyen
Race, Class, Gender in Education
Dr. Judy Radigan
×
Race, Class, Gender in Education
EDUCATCP005
Unit 1
Class Hours Per Week: 3
This course examines the complex ways in which race, ethnicity, gender, and class intersect and influence the educational experience of students in American schools. By employing an interdisciplinary approach centered both on individuals' lived experiences and educational system as a whole; EDUC 304 explores and critiques these critical issues and their impact on student learning. Likely topics include the historical foundations of race, class and gender in education, segregation, Title IX, and other contemporary topics.
Dr. Judy Radigan in her position as Director of the Education Department, she oversees academic services, lecturer and faculty teaching assignments, academic programming, program evaluation, student recruitment, admissions, student advising, strategic planning, and a principal certification program. Dr. Radigan has contributed to the expansion of the Education Department with a field-based program in Houston Independent School District for the pre-service teachers in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and the addition of a degree track for 5-year undergraduates towards a MAT degree and another MAT degree track for experienced teachers. The newest addition is the Principal Certification program.
Instructional Practice
Dr. Judy Radigan
×
Instructional Practice
EDUCATCP006
Unit 1
Class Hours Per Week: 3
Students will learn basic skills in routine and classroom procedures, growing a teacher persona, developing engaging lessons, monitoring student work, chunking lesson delivery with formative assessment, deepening student’s analysis with lines of questioning, offering choice through assignments and assessments. Students will also have the opportunity to work with instructional coaches using brief videos showing skill-building videos and with longer full lesson videos.
Dr. Judy Radigan in her position as Director of the Education Department, she oversees academic services, lecturer and faculty teaching assignments, academic programming, program evaluation, student recruitment, admissions, student advising, strategic planning, and a principal certification program. Dr. Radigan has contributed to the expansion of the Education Department with a field-based program in Houston Independent School District for the pre-service teachers in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and the addition of a degree track for 5-year undergraduates towards a MAT degree and another MAT degree track for experienced teachers. The newest addition is the Principal Certification program.
Curriculum Development
Dr. Judy Radigan
×
Curriculum Development
EDUCATCP007
Unit 2
Class Hours Per Week: 1
Teaching candidates will develop routines and procedures that will facilitate students working in a virtual or face-to-face environment. Skills in engaging in culturally responsive lesson activities will be developed. Opportunities to structure lessons for diverse student populations with whole group and small group lessons will be stressed. Candidates will develop lesson plan units using backward design that can be used in their edTPA portfolios.
Dr. Judy Radigan in her position as Director of the Education Department, she oversees academic services, lecturer and faculty teaching assignments, academic programming, program evaluation, student recruitment, admissions, student advising, strategic planning, and a principal certification program. Dr. Radigan has contributed to the expansion of the Education Department with a field-based program in Houston Independent School District for the pre-service teachers in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and the addition of a degree track for 5-year undergraduates towards a MAT degree and another MAT degree track for experienced teachers. The newest addition is the Principal Certification program.
Seminar for First-Year Teachers
Sheila Whitford
×
Seminar for First-Year Teachers
EDUCATCP009
Unit 2
Class Hours Per Week: 2
In this course, first-year teachers will be supported in their work by field supervisors. In a weekly seminar, teachers will analyze their practice with current theories in education. Teachers will also develop and defend a project in their field. This course is required for standard certification.
Sheila Whitford is a retired educator from Furr High School in Houston ISD where she served as a literacy coach, School Improvement Facilitator, and English teacher. She holds a BA in English and history from Texas Women’s University and her MBA from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Sheila serves as faculty in the program and also works with the department on compliance, academic program changes, admissions, program evaluation, the development of innovative new courses, field supervision, and strategic planning.
Theory and Methods of Instruction
Anthony Nguyen
×
Theory and Methods of Instruction
EDUCATCP009
Unit 2
Class Hours Per Week: 3
This course involves the study and integration of theory and methods with observation and practice in the classroom through the facilitation of student-led, student-centered activities. Under the guidance of education support team members, the course offers multiple methods for implementing curriculum with diverse students. Students will incorporate technology into their lessons with a 5 module instruction mini-course. Training for specific skills with special needs students will be included in this course.
Anthony Nguyen
LEARN MORE
Request Information
Use the form below to sign up to receive more information about the Alternative Teacher Certification program.