Programs preparing K-12 teachers

Our programs that prepare teachers for New York State certification have all been designed to support you in improving your teaching practices, as intended by New York State. But the real difference at the University of Rochester - Warner School of Education, given increasingly diverse classroom environments and a continued focus on inclusion of students of all abilities, is our capacity to teach you how today’s students learn and how you can create optimum learning environments for all. We help tomorrow’s teachers move learning from memorization to critical thinking, from competition to community building, from “just getting over the finish line” to creating lifelong learners. That’s the Warner way.

It’s a movement focused on student-centered education with the goal of increasing intellectual engagement. It’s a commitment to developing “reform-minded” teachers who won’t settle for the status quo. It’s a goal of encouraging teachers to take responsibility for creating learning environments that are inviting for all students. It’s an ability to nurture and develop teachers who step up to be leaders by imparting ideas and a vision for where their students, the school, and the district can grow and contribute in meaningful ways. 

The Warner School delivers a big-picture view of what the classroom and the school should look like. It begins with approaching teaching as a profession, not a job – a commitment to inspiring all young men and women to grasp what they are learning, why they are learning, and why what they are learning matters to them personally and to the world.

On the leading edge of the classroom and beyond
All of our teacher education programs are firmly grounded in proven research and sound theory. Faculty, in conducting research and supporting others, stay on the leading edge of learning. They help to provide candidates with in-depth knowledge of how people learn by focusing on how the world sees each student, and conversely, how each student sees the world. This ensures that students have a keen understanding of where learning needs to go and the reasons why they will need to teach and engage students differently in the future.

Warner prepares students for teaching and the pursuit of educational endeavors beyond the classroom. We provide the theoretical foundation, the intellectual tools and the practical experience to help graduates thrive in a wide variety of learning environments.

Passionate, supportive professors 
A major strength of the Warner School is our expert, diverse faculty. These are individuals who’ve been there, seen it, and done it. Each is an accomplished, well-respected educator, dedicated to changing the way teachers teach by researching learning, teaching, and curriculum in various educational contexts and applying what they learn in the classroom. Warner professors are passionate education professionals here to support you every step of the way. Close relationships with faculty are developed in the classroom, on research teams, through internship supervision, and beyond. Small class sizes ensure you work closely with your professors and your peers, getting the one-on-one instruction, advice, and advocacy you need to succeed.

Commitment to social justice
One of the fundamental pillars of a Warner School education is a commitment to social justice and a keen recognition of a teacher’s responsibility to address social inequities in the learning environment. Students become very aware of social and racial inequalities, as well as socioeconomic issues, that impact a student’s ability to learn. Students are taught to understand and be responsive to different learning needs, to adapt to diverse behaviors and to be open to a wide spectrum of perspectives. As a result, they are driven to close the gap of social inequities and build a supportive, engaging learning environment.

Students with a higher calling
University of Rochester - Warner School of Education graduates aspire to a higher calling. A quest to inspire a greater level of learning. A commitment to achieve the utmost success for all students. A strong professional vision for the future of learning, backed by wise and effective teaching practices. Practices they’ve lived themselves, putting theories to the test, and executing powerful lessons with students, rather than just reading and talking about them.

Our graduates stand out, head and shoulders above their peers from other teaching institutions, well prepared for a future in teaching, and even better prepared for the future of learning. That’s the Warner difference.