Nine years ago the college had the opportunity to start from the beginning, rather than to reform or to cosmetically reorganize an already existing teacher education department. This credential emphasis integrates inclusive multicultural and bilingual teaching perspectives and pedagogies. New College has endorsed diversity and multiculturalism from its inception. Its programs emphasize innovative and interactive pedagogy and the vital importance of education to a democratic and just society. Undergraduates are encouraged to put their social principles into practice in their working lives.
Teachers gain an understanding of the political and social context of the institution of schooling.
Teacher candidates participate in our innovative Family Literacy Center to gain the experience necessary to develop curricula that include and affirm family aspirations and cultural values. Music and the arts are integrated into all classes so that future teachers may appeal to the diverse learning modes of children and teach to the whole child. Candidates are encouraged to think about critical environmental and global issues and to incorporate them into their teaching. Critical Pedagogy Students need to formulate their own philosophy and vision of critical pedagogy and transformative education and see themselves as agents working towards positive change in the schools, the community, the society, the world and the planet. The central pedagogies of transformative or critical education are dialogue and problem posing.