Elementary and Special Education
Graduates of the Elementary and Special Education program will enter the teaching profession poised to meet the challenges of current and future classrooms.
Why study Elementary and Special Education at Coastal Georgia?
The Bachelor of Science in Education with dual majors in Elementary and Special Education prepares candidates for a career teaching prekindergarten through grade five (P-5) in both fields.
Working in a dynamic cohort model, teacher candidates learn to teach through practice-based coursework, extensive field-based learning in P-5 classrooms, community-based experiences, and the development of research-based and responsive teaching practices. Dedicated faculty engage teacher candidates in service-learning, undergraduate research, grant work, and professional presentations.
Our teacher education programs at the College of Coastal Georgia are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
What will I learn?
The Early Childhood and Special Education program integrates a focus on child development and responsive pedagogy in literacy, mathematics, special education, and interdisciplinary teaching in grades P-5. Throughout the program and under the mentorship of faculty and P-5 educators, teacher candidates participate in variety of diverse field experiences. During the final year of study, teacher candidates engage in a year-long clinical teaching experience.
What can I do when I graduate?
Our graduates are in high demand and are poised to begin teaching careers in schools and/or pursue a higher degree in the profession.
Student Spotlight: Lexie Downey
Lexie Downey graduated in 2019 with a dual major in Early Childhood and Special Education. Since then, she has been doing an amazing job of teaching, and is now pursuing graduate work at Purdue University.
“My experience with the teacher education program at Coastal Georgia was excellent. There are very few programs that offer the option to earn a dual certification in both early childhood and special education simultaneously.”
Dr. Caroline Geiken
Education
Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (2004), Argosy University, Sarasota, FL (May 2004)
Masters of Early Childhood (1997), Armstrong Atlantic University, Savannah, GA (May 1997)
Bachelors of Arts Elementary Education and Special Education (1979), Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI (May 1979)
Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Dr. Geiken is a highly motivated academic instructor with decades of background experience in Special Education. She clearly articulates and implements her knowledge and expertise in the field of Education. Dr. Geiken continually strives to provide opportunities for teacher candidates to be engaged in their learning and to have real-life experiences based on the content being taught in the classroom. Dr. Geiken is a respectful and professional educator who collaborates with colleagues and supports the College’s mission, strategic goals and policies.