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A teacher leans over a table helping students. She holds a pen and is writing on a piece of paper.

Education Studies

Teacher education programs in a liberal arts environment are rare. Future elementary educators, who will teach across all subjects, thrive at Skidmore.
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Faculty at Skidmore develop close relationships with their students as they support their coursework and field placements. The Early Childhood Center allows Skidmore students to experience their first classroom placement right on campus, and placements in local schools allow them to continue putting theory into practice. 

What will you learn?

Skidmore College is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through 2029 — a distinction earned by meeting rigorous, national standards. Successful completion of the major leads to certification in childhood education (grades 1–6) in New York state. All majors develop portfolios over the course of their four years, demonstrating the knowledge and skills that will help them land competitive teaching positions and enter excellent graduate programs.

Where will you go?

Education studies majors graduate with a specific credential in childhood education, ready to work in elementary teaching. Many go on to earn additional certifications and degrees to pursue adjacent career paths.

Career paths Recent employers Graduate schools and programs
  • Early childhood educator/program director
  • Education publisher
  • Elementary teacher
  • Curriculum developer
  • Librarian
  • Reading/math specialist
  • School administrator
  • School counselor
  • School/education technology specialist
  • School psychologist
  • School social worker
  • Speech-language pathologist
  • NYC Collegiate School
  • East Lyme (Connecticut) Public Schools
  • Greenwich (New York) Central School District
  • LABBB Educational Collaborative, Massachusetts
  • New York City Public Schools
  • Oak Hill School, Nashville
  • Queensbury (New York) Union Free School District
  • Schenectady (New York) City School District
  • The Caedmon School
  • The Doane Stuart School
  • The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn
  • Bank Street College of Education
  • Harvard Graduate School of Education
  • Newcastle University
  • Nova Southeastern University
  • Teachers College, Columbia University
  • University College London
  • University of New Hampshire
A professor and education student crouch down to a sensory play table to talk to three young children in Skidmore's Early Childhood Center

Early Childhood Center

A laboratory school located right on Skidmore’s campus, the center provides educational programs for young children and their families and is equipped with observation facilities used by parents, college students, and faculty. Education studies majors practice under the direction of professional staff and may conduct independent research studies with children.
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Elio Gottschalk '26, education studies major

The art of teaching

Education major Elio Gottschalk ’26 and education minor Norah Cullers ’26 enhanced their studies through internships at Skidmore’s Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery.
Read their stories
Row buildings of different colors, situated on a river in Denmark

Explore education abroad

Education studies faculty encourage majors to study abroad. In recent years, students have studied abroad in Bath, England (Advanced Studies in England) and Copenhagen, Denmark (Danish Institute for Study Abroad), in addition to programs in Italy and Ghana.
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Faculty

Meet the supportive educators who will guide you as you become one yourself. 
Meet your professors

Contact Education Studies

Office

Palamountain 213
Phone: 518-580-5140

Department Chair

Hope Casto
Professor of Education Studies
hcasto@skidmore.edu

Administrative Assistant & Early Childhood Center Coordinator

Colleen Park
cbpark@skidmore.edu