Amber Adgerson

T&L 474: STEM Concepts in the Elementary Classroom

Elementary school teachers must know and understand the fundamental concepts and practices in all domains of science (physical, life, earth, and space sciences), as well as how technology, engineering, and math are integrated into this subject matter, so that they can plan and effectively implement meaningful and engaging STEM learning experiences for their students. This course provides a foundation in the science content necessary for elementary teachers to know through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach. Further, it introduces students to effective teaching strategies for not only integrating the components of STEM across all science domains but for making STEM accessible for diverse learners as well.

T&L 432: Learning Environments

The purpose of this class is to study psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence classroom behavior and to examine elements that contribute to a positive learning environment. An additional 15-hour field experience is required for the course over a three-week period.

T&L 433: Multicultural Education

This course is designed to implement a multicultural approach to teaching and learning by examining how race, ethnicity, and culture influence students' experiences in schools. This course's content provides teacher candidates with the knowledge and concepts they need to enhance their understanding of socio-cultural consciousness through culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy. Teacher candidates will understand how to develop appropriate, informed, and sensitive responses to the rich diversity (gender, sexuality, exceptionality, age, socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, race, language, and culture) of student learners in the classroom as a pathway to be inclusive. This course explores immigration and refugees' issues and examines cultural assumptions, implicit biases, attitudes, and values that shape our perceptions and predicate our actions. This exploration prepares teacher candidates to create spaces in their learning environments where all learners are supported through acknowledgment of multiple identities, funds of knowledge, and experiences to surface and interrupt oppression. This multicultural course highlights the effects of settler colonialism on Native Peoples. This course will help students to learn about the American Indian Reservations in North Dakota: The history, language, school settings, population, tribal governments, sovereignty laws, and early education for North Dakota's Native Peoples. Note: course requires you to complete 10 hours of field experience working with students from diverse backgrounds. 

T&L 444: Assessing and Correcting Mathematics Difficulties

The focus of this course and the co-requisite practicum is to learn about current approaches to assessment and methods to assist students who are having difficulty with mathematics. Observations, error pattern analysis, interviews, and other evaluation procedures are used to learn about elementary students' mathematical abilities, and these assessments are used to plan for instruction.

T&L 430: Social Studies Methods in Elementary Schools

To understand and analyze the different modes of teaching social studies, to gain the competencies necessary for organizing a unit in the social studies, to gain an understanding of the values and multiple perspectives inherent within the various teaching strategies, to develop a preferred perspective on the ideal nature of Social Studies education. 

• teacher education
• virtual STEM education
• equity in STEM education
• teacher educator identity development
• school-university partnerships
• rural STEM teacher education
• gifted STEM education for underrepresented students
• trauma-informed teaching methods
• survey design and development
• assessment methods
• evaluation
• improvement science
• social media management