Ann Carlson

I began my career as an elementary school teacher, but have been active in the Early Childhood field for over 30 years. I am passionate about training teachers to use developmentally appropriate, research based practices. What do we know about how children learn and develop, and how can that body of knowledge provide the foundation for our work with young children? I want teaching candidates to ask, “What’s the evidence?” when looking at educational practices.

Much of my work is focused on helping teaching candidates in the Early Childhood Initial Licensure Program bring developmentally appropriate practices into the public schools. Our teaching candidates spend a full year in a primary grade placement as part of the licensure program. The full year experience, and courses in child development and pedagogy, prepare teachers that are well prepared for the educational challenges of today and tomorrow. Candidates learn to be reflective practitioners who use their observational skills and knowledge of young children to plan, teach, and assess the progress of their students.

I am the departmental advisor for the graduate program in Early Childhood Education, and also work with undergraduate who are interested in pursing state licensure. I love to work with college students and support them in determining a career path. There are many options for students who enter the Early Childhood Programs at the University of Minnesota.

Courses Taught

• CPSY 5171 - Field Experience: Applying Instructional Methods in the Elementary Classroom
• CI 5181 - Clinical Experience in Elementary School Teaching
• CPSY 5187 - M.Ed Capstone in Early Childhood