The program that prepares Siena students for careers in front of the classroom has a new national accreditation.
The College’s teacher preparation program has been accredited, effective immediately, by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers.
Christine Dawson, Ph.D., (below, right, with Abby Piotrowski ’23) associate professor of education and director of teacher preparation, headed up the accreditation process.
“Accreditation has several important benefits,” explained Dawson. “The qualifying process enables us to strengthen our program through AAQEP’s structured review process and share successful practices in collaboration with academic partners. It is, in effect, a nationally recognized seal of quality for Siena’s teacher preparation program.”
About 25-30 students graduate from Siena each year with their teacher preparation certificate, which requires 32 credits of coursework and fieldwork. The College offers a pathway to initial certification to teach grades 7-12 in the following subjects: English, social studies, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, French and Spanish. Certification to teach K-12 is also offered for computer science and business.
Graduates are initially certified to teach in New York once they complete the program; those who plan to teach in other states can apply for reciprocity.
This new accreditation, which is valid for seven years, follows an intensive three-year self study that involved data gathering and interviews to demonstrate the stability and effectiveness of the program. A 240-page report was submitted in fall 2022; AAQEP officials conducted a campus visit here in the spring. Siena passed unequivocally, with no areas or issues to address, said Dawson.
Dawson explained that Siena’s teacher prep program had been accredited previously; New York state added AAQEP for its college program accreditation going forward.
Natalie Stagnitti ’23, just earned her degree and certification in chemistry, and will join the South Colonie High School faculty this fall as a chemistry teacher.
“My favorite part about Siena's teacher preparation program was the professional year when we got to spend so much time in the classroom,” she shared. “I loved being in the teaching environment and getting to try out and utilize the skills and knowledge that I learned throughout the program before I even graduated. It was also really nice to have such a supportive group of professors and student teachers who were always there for advice and collaboration. I am excited for more students to have these experiences as well.”
Erin Chen ’24 is majoring in mathematics education and plans to teach math at the high school level after she graduates.
“Siena prepares you perfectly for being a new teacher,” said Chen. “The professors in this program set you up with everything you need before you enter you first job. You’ll know what to expect in the first year, so there is no ‘surprise attack’ when you start your position. They will always give you as much assistance and even counseling if you need it.”