"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."
- John Dewey
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Welcome to the PCKET Major!
The Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching (PCKET) major is dedicated to developing high quality PK-6 teachers who are grounded in disciplinary knowledge and skills, value interdisciplinary teaching and learning, support diverse learners, and commit to the pursuit of academic, lifelong learning. The PCKET major, offered in combination with the Educational Studies or Special Education major in the College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI), provides customizable degree options, which in turn, provide unique career opportunities for educators. Our graduates will be prepared to teach grades PK-3 and/or 3-6, and to be content-area leaders in their elementary schools. Graduates will also have the option of preparing to teach Spanish, provide ESL support, or teach special education in two selected endorsement areas.
Through the dual-major elementary program at Grand Valley, students will be well prepared in the professional and content-specific standards established by the Michigan Department of Education, and ready for a rewarding career as PK-6 teachers!
The Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Elementary Teaching (PCKET) major at Grand Valley State University is designed for students seeking certification at the elementary level. Students will choose to be certified in an elementary grade band: pre-kindergarten through third grade (PK-3), third grade through sixth grade (3-6), or the pre-kindergarten through sixth grade (PK-6) dual grade band. Students who choose a 3-6 or PK-6 grade-band emphasis must also choose a content-area concentration in English, math, science, or social studies. In addition, students have the option of pursuing an endorsement in special education, ESL, or Spanish.
Our professors come from departments across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and are subject-area experts in their fields. PCKET students learn both content and pedagogy in the academic subjects taught in the elementary curriculum: English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, and health and physical education. PCKET faculty engage students in discipline-specific teaching and learning, opportunities for research and scholarly activities in the disciplines, experiences in area classrooms and organizations, and study abroad programs. Our majors understand that teachers must be curious, critical, and engaged academics, and they are prepared to be leaders in their field.
AS A PCKET MAJOR, YOU WILL CHOOSE A GRADE-BAND EMPHASIS
We recommend that all students choose the dual grade-band emphasis so that you can be hired to teach both early elementary and upper elementary when you graduate from GVSU.
PK-3 Grade Band
Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd Grade
3-6 Grade Band
3rd Grade through 6th Grade
PK-6 Grade Band
Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade
Specialized Endorsement Options
PCKET majors also have the option of taking courses to earn an endorsement to teach specialized populations or content at the elementary level.
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The CLAS Voyage’s mission directly aligns with the PCKET curriculum. Inquiry and community-based learning and global experiences are highly valued in both the PCKET major and the CLAS Voyage. You’ll hear more about the CLAS Voyage throughout the program.
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