STAC'S School of Education Expands its Offerings Early Childhood & Childhood Education Added

(SPARKILL, NY – March 23, 2016)—St. Thomas Aquinas College’s School of Education is proud to introduce a new Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6), announced Dr. Meenakshi Gajria, Dean of the School of Education.

The Early Childhood and Childhood Education program offers dual certification. Teacher education candidates majoring in this field-based education program meet all the requirements for Childhood Education and take additional coursework in Early Childhood. The coursework focuses on the language development and learning needs of children birth through grade 2.

“Early Childhood education addresses the developmental needs of the youngest learners. Candidates in this program will develop an understanding of the needs and attributes of young children and learn the strategies necessary to prepare them for success,” said Dr. Gajria.

Ms. Sandra Wirchansky, Director of the Clarkstown Childcare and Early Learning Center (NY) and faculty member in the program, highlights the importance of early childhood education, birth through grade 2. She asserts that ‘‘by recognizing developmental benchmarks in the early years and creating an environment that enriches a child's growth, a path is created that leads to a lifetime of learning. With the majority of brain development occurring before age 5, this is clearly a critical time for socioemotional and cognitive development. Therefore, nurturing children’s potential before their fifth birthday must be a priority.”

The School of Education also offers programs in childhood, special, adolescence, and art education, and educational studies, as well as graduate and certificate programs. For more information, contact the School of Education at 845-398-4158 or schoolofeducation@stac.edu.

St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 60 acres in Rockland County, NY which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s 2,800 full and part time students can choose from more than 100 different majors, minors, specializations, and dual degree programs across three Schools: Arts & Sciences, Business, and Education. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, by Colleges of Distinction in both its New York and Catholic editions, by Affordable Colleges Online as a top College in New York for Return on Investment, and is included as a Military Friendly School®. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); and its School of Business is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.