Science Teacher Preparation and Development in the Heart of Silicon Valley
The Science Education Program at San José State University is well positioned to meet
the increasing demand for well-qualified and prepared science teachers in our community.
Our program focuses on three aspects of science teacher education: recruitment and
undergraduate experiences, pre-service training and preparation at the credential
level, and professional development for in-service science educators. Our network
of partners within SJSU and with school districts in the greater San José area ensures
that our students receive essential hands-on training to fully prepare themselves
for careers as science educators.
Science Education Program
Our program focuses on three aspects of science teacher education: recruitment and
undergraduate experiences, pre-service training and preparation at the credential
level, and professional development of in-service science educators.
Are you looking to enhance your teaching skills and expertise?
San Jose State’s Master of Science program in Science Education is a flexible program
designed to provide K-12 teachers the opportunity to enhance their understanding of
science teaching and learning in accordance with the Teacher Education Program.
Ever think about what it would be like to become a science teacher?
To earn a teaching credential, you will need to enroll in our graduate level credential
program. There are quite a few steps to apply, learn what you need to do now so that
the transition is easy. Contact us to find out more information at scied@sjsu.edu!
Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer, recipient of the San José State University
Research Foundation (SJSURF) 2022 Early Career Investigator Award (ECIA)! This award
recognizes tenure-track SJSU faculty who have excelled in areas of research, scholarship,
and creative activity during their probationary period at SJSU.
Congratulations Cassandra Paul, Resa Kelly and Jennifer Avena!
Congratulations to Dr. Cassandra Paul, Dr. Resa Kelly, Dr. Jennifer Avena, and Dr.
Gina Quan (Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy), recipients of the California
State University's Office of the Chancellor CSU CREATE Award (Creating Responsive,
Equitable, Active Teaching and Engagement Award) in the amount of $222,000 for their
proposal "Agents of Change: Faculty-Learning Assistant Partnerships Supporting Active,
Engaging, Equitable Learning Environments."
Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer, recipient of an NSF Career award for the
grant: "CAREER - Transforming Science Teaching and Learning through Empowering Teachers
and Students as Climate Justice Action Researchers and Change Agents."
Congratulations Resa Kelly!
Congratulations to Dr. Resa Kelly, recipient of the 2021 Harry and Carol Mosher Award.
The Silicon Valley Local Section gives the award annually to a member of the American
Chemical Society (ACS). The Harry and Carol Mosher Award was established in 1980 to:
- recognize and encourage outstanding work in chemistry,
- advance chemistry as a profession, and
- recognize service to ACS.
Congratulations Tammie Visintainer!
Congratulations to Dr. Tammie Visintainer whose publication "I think at first glance
people would not expect me to be interested in science: Exploring the racialized science
experiences of high school students of color" was chosen for a Research Worth Reading
award by the National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST).
Congratulations Ellen Metzger!
Congratulations to Professor Ellen Metzger who has been invited to work on an initiative
of the CSU Chancellor's Office - Academic and Student Affairs. Dr. Metzger will be
assisting with the development of a report of the effects of the current Covid-19
pandemic to environmental literacy and sustainability efforts across the state of
California.
Congratulations Cassandra Paul and team!
Congratulations to PI Cassandra Paul and CO PIs Tammie Visintainer, Resa Kelly, Katherine
Wilkinson, and Marcos Pizarro who were awarded an NSF DUE AWARD #1953760 in the amount
of $1,699,833 over the next 5 years for the grant: "Transforming Undergraduate Teaching
and Learning Through Culturally Sustaining, Active, and Asset-Based Approaches to
Introductory Science Courses."
Testing Centers are starting to reopen where local guidance permits. If you have outstanding
testing to complete, we recommend that you sign up as soon as possible.
For more information, visit the examination webpage for California Educator Credentialing
Assessments.
Please remember that to complete the program you must meet the level 1 tech requirement.
Follow this link to enroll for the free certification class. (NOTE: do not enter SJSU when it asks for your institution, or you will be charged for the
class as an employee instead of enrolling for free as a student.)
For students still needing to fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement, here's an
online exam that they could take. It is offered through Notre Dame de Namur University.
The credential office is now accepting fully online CPR courses due to COVID-19. We
are recommending this course as it covers Infant, Child and Adult CPR and it meets
the American Heart Association guidelines.
(NOTE: because this certification is only good for one year and it is an exit requirement,
we recommend that you wait until mid-way through the program or later to meet the
requirement).
California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA)
Review up-to-date information about the impact of school closures on CalTPA participation
and options available if your clinical practice experience is delayed.
