The preparation of high quality teachers is a tradition that goes back to the very beginning of William Paterson University’s history. From its inception as Paterson City Normal School in 1855, William Paterson has trained future teachers to service the New Jersey community. Today the College of Education offers preparation programs for teacher certification in elementary, subject-field and special education on the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College also participates in the Alternate Route Teacher Certification Program. The College of Education recently earned re-accreditation by the National Council for Reaccredidation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Keeping with the University’s history, the faculty of the College of Education have a tremendous dedication to the quality of teachers throughout the surrounding community. Faculty leaders facilitate numerous programs, many funded by federal and state grants, that serve local schools and teachers, as well as pre-service teachers. Funding provides scholarships for WPU students studying to become teachers and supports on-campus child-care for young children of students. Funding also supports faculty research into effective classroom techniques and collaborative projects between William Paterson and other New Jersey colleges. Other grants support partnerships with local school districts in which WP faculty provide professional development for teachers. For example, the College is working in partnership with Kean and Rowan Universities and local school districts on the New Jersey Statewide Teacher Quality Enhancement Consortium. This project was funded by a 2.4 million-dollar grant by the US Department of Education and local contributions. Through this program, William Paterson joins with other state universities and local schools to improve the way future teachers are prepared and the way veteran teachers are supported. Another collaborative grant-funded project is the Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality. This program works to improve the academic achievement of K-12 students in high need urban schools through the recruitment, preparation and retention of highly qualified teachers. William Paterson University, Kean University, and Rowan University, in collaboration with high-need schools and the New Jersey Department of Education will impact tens of thousands of students in the highest need school districts in our state.
