Middle Level Program

When people introduce themselves as middle school teachers, they often receive one of two responses:  Thank you! Or Why?! At the Middle Level Education Program add a third response: How lucky you are! 

Middle school teachers say that they love the humor and “the daily expressed thanks” they receive. They also appreciate middle school students’ “limitless perspective,” “intelligent thoughts and goofy attitude,” and “their tenacity to problem solve.” Faculty in the program agree! If you are interested in teaching middle school, this is the program for you. 

The Middle Level program prepares teachers teach in middle schools working with young adolescents in grades 5-9. Upon completion of all tests and other requirements, graduates of the program may hold a Multiple-Subject Credential and a Single-Subject Credential with Authorization to Teach English Learners. 

Coursework is taught at a middle school site with class sessions and assignments geared to the particular needs of young adolescent learners. Field experiences are planned and coordinated with partner middle schools.

Courses

• First Semester
  • EDMI 511 Middle Level Teaching and Learning I
  • EDMI 521 Middle Level Literacy I
  • EDMI 543 Middle Level Mathematics Education
  • EDMI 555 Middle Level Multilingual Education
  • EDMI 571 Clinical Practice in Middle Schools I*
• Second Semester
  • EDMI 512 Middle Level Teaching and Learning II
  • EDMI 522 Middle Level Literacy II
  • EDMI 544 Middle Level Social Studies Education
  • EDMI 545 Middle Level Science Education
  • EDMI 572 Clinical Practice in Middle Schools II*
• Additional Courses Required For Bilingual Authorization: Spanish Emphasis

  Students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential must take the following classes in addition to the classes listed above:

  First Semester

  EDUC 653 Biliteracy Education I: Contexts for Learning Syllabus

  Second Semester

  EDUC 654 Biliteracy Education II: Methodology and Cultural Contexts

  *Students seeking the Bilingual Authorization along with their credential are also required to take the following class in place of either EDMI 571, EDMI 572, or both:

  EDMI 573 Clinical Practice in Middle Level Bilingual/ELD Settings

Faculty

• Jon Centofranchi

  

  Jon Centofranchi is a Lecturer in the School of Education at California State University San Marcos. He has taught graduate course in the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Program, and currently is the Coordinator of the Middle Level Teaching Credential Program and teaches EDMI 511/512 (Teaching and Learning I and II). In addition, Jon teaches undergraduate courses, including EDUC 380- Applied Child and Adolescent Development. He taught middle school for 10 years before transitioning to administration and served as a middle school administrator for 20 years. As a middle school principal, he guided his school to achieve the California Distinguished School Award and National Blue-Ribbon Award. In addition, Jon served on California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond's Professional Development Transition Team. He is also the founder of JC Educational Services and is a consultant to several schools/districts in San Diego, collaborating with school leaders to identify strengths and areas of improvement, helping to implement research-based strategies to meet the needs of all students.

  • Email: jcentofranchi@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-4300
• Anthony Matranga

  

  Dr. Anthony Matranga is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Educational Technology. He teaches mathematics education, technology education, and research methods courses in various programs such as the single subject program, middle level program, and master’s in curriculum and instruction program. His research and practice aim to increase all students’ access to and success in STEM majors and careers. Dr. Matranga is the co-PI of a National Science Foundation project focused on supporting mathematics teacher development of ambitious instructional practices through participation in online professional development courses. He is also the Director of the Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI), which is a project focused on STEM teacher recruitment and preparation that is funded by the CSU Chancellor’s office. Before coming to CSUSM, Dr. Matranga was a high school mathematics teacher in an urban school district in New Jersey. He completed his doctoral studies at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.

  • Email: amatranga@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-8523
• Erika Daniels

  

  Erika Daniels is a Professor in Literacy Education, received her doctorate in Literacy from a joint program between the University of San Diego and San Diego State University Joint Doctoral Program. She teaches Literacy courses in the teacher credential program and advanced Literacy in the Masters program. Her other professional role is as the Director for the Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education. The Alliance is a regional collaboration between CSUSM, community colleges, and K-12 school districts that focuses on a comprehensive and comprehensible pathway to college access and success. Before coming the CSUSM as a full-time faculty member, Erika taught kindergarten and middle school in East Los Angeles and middle school in Oceanside, CA. Erika's research interests are twofold and explore literacy practices for reluctant and disengaged learners and as well as how the context of schooling fosters or hinders the motivation of young adolescents.

  • Email: edaniels@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-8547
• Rong-Ji Chen

  

  Dr. Rong-Ji Chen is a Professor of Mathematics Education in the School of Education at CSUSM. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a focus on mathematics, science, and technology education. At CSUSM, Dr. Chen teaches K-8 mathematics methods courses in the Multiple Subject, Integrated Credential, and Middle Level programs. He also teaches an introductory educational technology course. His research interests pertain to teachers’ perceptions about the nature of mathematics and how they see themselves as learners of mathematics. He is also interested in technology integration in mathematics education and teacher education, especially with respect to a critical theory of technology.

  • Email: rchen@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-8509 
• Moses K. Ochanji

  

  Dr. Moses K. Ochanji is a Professor of Science Education at California State University San Marcos. He teaches science education and general courses in the teacher credential and the Master of Arts in Education Programs. His research interest focuses on the “multiple phases of inquiry” in science classrooms and issues dealing with science teacher education. He has a wide experience in classroom science teaching having taught high school physics and mathematics in Kenya and in New York State for several years. He was a visiting lecturer on sabbatical leave at the Department of Educational Communication and Technology at Kenyatta University, Kenya, where he taught and collaborated with the department’s faculty on research projects focusing on building through quality teacher preparation and issues relating to teaching in large classes. Dr. Moses Ochanji received his undergraduate degree in Physics and Education, and masters degree in Science Education from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a Ph.D. in Science Education from Syracuse University in New York.

  • Email: mochanji@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-8546
• Laurie Stowell

  

  Laurie Stowell has been a professor of literacy at California State University San Marcos since 1992. She received her Ph.D. at The Ohio State University in language, literature and reading. Prior to that, she taught middle school for eleven years in Columbus, Ohio. She teaches literacy courses in the middle level and elementary credential program, children's literature, as well as writing and assessment courses in the master’s program. In 2001, Dr Stowell also founded and directs the San Marcos Writing Project. Her research interests include writing, children’s and adolescent literature, and middle level literacy. Publications include practitioner’s journals, teacher education journals, a co-authored book and book chapters for practicing teachers and she has presented at numerous state and national conferences. She has also worked with elementary, middle and high school teachers in San Diego and Riverside County to plan and implement reading strategies and the teaching of writing. She was selected as the Outstanding Professor of the year at Cal State San Marcos in 1997, received the CSU Wang Family Excellence Award in 2005 and the California Teachers of English Classroom Excellence Award in 2008.

  • Email: lstowell@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-4286
• Christine D'Aquanni

  

  Christine D'Aquanni Alston is the Multilingual Programs Director and a Certified Key Trainer for Be GLAD®. She is a dual language educator with over 20 years of experience and dedication to raising the quality of education in public, private, and rural schools. From volunteer teaching experiences in indigenous areas of Mexico to supporting multilingual learners in international and American schools abroad, she has always sought to understand and meet the needs of the underserved, especially students of minority languages. She holds a Master of Arts in Education with a Specialization in Dual Language Development.

  • Email: cdaquanni@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-4300
• Candice Dorn

  

  Candice Dorn is a History-Social Science Methods Lecturer in the Middle Level Program at California State University San Marcos and serves as the Secondary Humanities Teacher on Special Assignment for Poway Unified School District. Prior to working in her current roles, Candice taught middle school Humanities, AVID, and Service Learning in San Diego, CA. In addition, Candice is currently working on her doctorate degree in the CSUSM and UCSD Joint Doctoral Program. Her research aims to understand more about the emotional labor of the teaching profession and the impacts to K-12 educators. Candice has been awarded the Tribute to Teachers Award, CATE Henken Scholarship for Outstanding Promise and Leadership in English Language Arts, and the Chrispeels Fellowship for Education Studies.

  • Email: cdorn@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-4300
• Cassiopeia Guthrie

  

  Cassiopeia Guthrie is a Distinguished Teacher in Residence in the California State University San Marcos School of Education. Cassiopeia has taught for twelve years across all levels of public education in a range of subject areas, earning certifications with National Geographic and Leading Edge (Online and Blended Learning), as well as in Ethnic Studies Education. In her most recent role, she coordinated curriculum development, materials adoptions, and professional learning at the district level. Cassiopeia also serves as a curriculum/communications consultant and professional journalist and has won multiple San Diego Press Club Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

  • Email: cbguthrie@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-4341
• Shannon McAndrews

  

  Dr. McAndrews has 36 years of experience in the educational community. Over the course of her career, she has been afforded the opportunities to teach at every grade level from preschool to college and has held both instructional and supervisory roles within the educational arena (public and private). Dr. McAndrews earned her bachelor's degree from San Diego State University, her master's degree and Teaching Credentials from University of San Diego, and doctorate degree from Pepperdine University.

  Currently, Dr. McAndrews is the CSUSM Multiple Subject Program Coordinator, Clinical Practice Coordinator (K-8th grades), and CSUSM Residency Program Liaison. Bringing her depth and breadth of experience and expertise to CSUSM, Dr. McAndrews coaches teacher candidates enrolled in the Multiple Subject, Education Specialist and Middle Level programs. Dr. McAndrews is an instructor (Teaching and Learning, Literacy, Seminar) and works as a liaison between the Faculty, Teacher Candidates and School Site Educators to provide quality experiences and outcomes.

  During her career with AVID Center, a non-profit international educational organization, Dr. McAndrews designed, developed, and supervised the national/international rollout, curriculum, and professional learning of AVID Elementary (K-8 Model).  AVID Elementary became and remains a solid component within the AVID organization.  Dr. McAndrews collaborated with AVID's founder, Mary Catherine Swanson, overseeing the physical, online, and ongoing collection for AVID Center’s Heritage Project. With the Professional Learning and Curriculum teams, in addition to AVID Elementary, Dr. McAndrews guided the design and development of a suite of resources (K-16), website/video development, and instructional delivery resources focusing on College and Careers, Academic Language and Literacy, as well as Disciplinary Literacy for elementary, middle, high, and postsecondary educators and students.

  Bringing a passion for equity and access for all learners, and a focus on balancing academics, athletics and the arts; Dr. McAndrews is ardent about coaching educators and enhancing her service in the educational learning community.

  • Email: smcandrews@csusm.edu
  • Phone: (760) 750-4300