University of Maine at Machias
The University of Maine at Machias (UMM), the easternmost university in the United States, commenced in 1909 as Washington State Normal School for the sole purpose of educating teachers. With a long history in educating teachers and a unique location sporting five class A rivers, a national wildlife refuge, two state parks, and numerous lakes, ponds, and streams surrounded by softwood forests, UMM offers opportunities to explore, research and learn authentically through our rich environment.
At UMM we teach the way we want our students to teach. UMM education students live and learn on a diversity-conscious campus. UMM's students themselves are diverse in nature, with 12% international students, 38% non-traditional students, with 20% of our students at our satellite campus of Native American descent. The campus Diversity Committee, Diversity Club and International Club make every effort to keep the essence of our diversity vision in the forefront.
Our faculty is diverse as well, with a wide range of teaching experiences in inner-city schools, a Department of Defense school, programs for at-risk students, and high achieving urban high schools. All courses offered in education are grounded in theory regarding diversity. We have experience in what we are teaching and are able to speak to the needs of diverse populations.
What makes the UMM Education Program outstanding…
- Students enrolled in our education programs travel through a systematic progression of courses carefully chosen and designed to enhance development and foster insight into the education profession.
- From the first semester of your college career, you are placed in practical classroom experiences. As early as freshman year, you are mentored by local area teachers while having opportunities to work one-on-one or in small groups with elementary and secondary students.
- Our intimate size and faculty-to-student ratio allow a strong advisor/advisee relationship that begins as soon as you are accepted: you and your advisors correspond prior to your arrival on campus.
- Every education course affords you the opportunity to participate in clinical experiences in early childcare , K-6 elementary, middle level, high school, and special education classrooms
- Our Student Education Association, affiliated with the Maine Education Association, is active on campus and in the community, offering experiences such as tutoring sessions for local students, book clubs, author presentations, and in-school events.
- Instruction in the use of advanced technology is infused in our teacher education courses, culminating in the presentation of an e-portfolio representing your teacher education experience and expertise.
- UMM's continuous and comprehensive system works in concert on all levels to assure that you will successfully meet the standards in order to automatically receive State of Maine Initial Teaching Certification upon graduation. This certification brings with it reciprocity for teacher certification in 40 other states.
Teacher Preparation Programs
You may choose to major in either the Elementary or Middle Level Education Programs with a concentration in either Humanities, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, Early Childhood, or Special Education. Successful completion of one of these programs leads to State of Maine Kindergarten through 8th grade Elementary Certification with appropriate endorsements. If you major in English, History, the Arts, Mathematics or the Sciences, you may complete professional education requirements that lead to certification in your field, grades 7-12.
Elementary Education (K - 8 Certification)
The Elementary Education major is interdisciplinary and prepares students to understand young learners and teach in single-grade or multi-grade classrooms with a focus on the K-6th grade curriculum within the larger context of K-8 teaching.
Middle Level Education (K-8 Certification)
The Middle Level Education major will be awarded K-8 certification but this major focuses on grades 7-8. Course work specific to early adolescents is inherent in the program.
Secondary Education Concentration
For those who major in English, Social Studies (including History), Mathematics, the Arts, or Physical and Life Sciences may choose to complete education requirements that lead to grade 7-12 Certification.
Early Childhood Education
For those students who have begun their studies in an Early Childhood Concentration in a community college, a seamless transition of relevant courses may be woven into a concentration in our Elementary Education Program.
Teacher Certification Only
For students who already hold appropriate bachelors degrees, UMM offers professional course work leading to Elementary Education (K-8) Certification and Secondary (7-12) Certification in the fields of English, Social Studies, Mathematics, the Arts, Physical and Life Science, and Special Education.
Special Education
In collaboration with the University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the University of Maine at Machias (UMM) offers a program and series of courses that lead to the State of Maine Teacher of Children with Disabilities endorsement (282). In order to provide a greater opportunity for existing teachers, students who are training to become teachers or educational technicians, and others who are interested in becoming state-certified in special education, all courses are approved by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), offered within a two-year rotation and all special education courses are delivered via distance education technology.
Course delivery methods include:
- Interactive Television (ITV) offers live video/audio of the instructor, interactivity is via the telephone.
- Polycom and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) allow interactive video/audio between all participants and the instructor.
- Online computer course interactivity is achieved through discussion boards and e-mail.
Some courses are also offered on-campus in the traditional classroom setting.
Programs include:
- Bachelor of College Studies with a concentration in Special Education
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education
- Certification Program in Special Education
The self-designed Bachelor of College Studies degree allows students to create a concentration based on their particular interest or career goal. Presently, there is a structured program in place for certification in elementary/special education. A sequence of 24 credits in special education can also be selected by students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree at UMM and wishing to pursue special education as their concentration. These students complete general education requirements, a professional education sequence of courses, and a special education concentration. The knowledge and skill acquired in this concentration applies to a diverse range of learners, with and without special needs. In combination with an elementary education endorsement, the special education concentration is likely to prepare a more desirable teacher candidate in the eyes of future employers.
| Course Designation & Credit Hours | Title | Former MDOE Coursework Descriptors |
| SED 310 3 cr. hr Formerly EDU 319 | Dimensions of Exceptionality in the Classroom | Introduction or survey of students with exceptionalities |
| SED 320 3 cr. hr Formerly EDU 335 | Special Education Law | Special education law and regulations |
| SED 325 3 cr. hr Formerly EDU 322 | Assessment in Special Education | Assessment of students with disabilities |
| SED 330 3 cr. hr Formerly EDU 326 | Mathematics in Special Education | Methods of teaching elementary mathematics |
| SED 335 3 cr. hr. Formerly EDU 325 | Program Planning & Curricular Adaptations for Students with Disabilities | Program planning or curriculum adaptation for students with disabilities |
| SED 340 3 cr. hr. Formerly EDU 316 | Communication & Collaboration in Special Education | Consultation with parents and teachers of students with disabilities |
| SED 345 3 cr. hr. Formerly EDU 315 | Behavior Strategies & Social Skill Development for Students with Disabilities | Behavior strategies & social skill development for students with disabilities |
| SED 355 3 cr. hr Formerly EDU 314 | Transitional Issues for Students with Disabilities | Vocational skill development or transitional planning for elementary/secondary students with disabilities |
| SED 362 3 cr. hr. Formerly EDU 317 | Typical & Atypical Expressive & Receptive Language | Typical & atypical expressive & receptive language |
| SED 370 3 cr. hr. Formerly EDU 410 | Reading & Writing for Exceptional Children | Teaching elementary reading or elementary language arts |
Contact Information
| Education Program Coordinator: Dr. Gael E. Romei Assistant Professor of Education University of Maine at Machias 27 Kimball Hall 9 O'Brien Avenue Machias, ME 04654 Phone: 255-1321 E-mail: gael.romei@maine.edu Gael's webpage: http://www.umm.maine.edu/gael-e.-romei.html |
Special Education Program Coordinator: Heather L. Ball, M.S.Ed., C.A.S Lecturer I University of Maine at Machias 24 Kimball Hall 9 O'Brien Avenue Machias, ME 04654 Phone: 255-1381 E-mail: hball@maine.edu Heather's webpage: http://www.umm.maine.edu/heather-ball.html |
Link to Special Education Page on UMM website: http://www.umm.maine.edu/assets/docs/programs/SpecialEdBCS041008.pdf
Link to Education Page on UMM website:
http://www.umm.maine.edu/education.html
Link to Distance Education Page on UMM website:
http://www.umm.maine.edu/distance-ed.html