Graduate Program to Prepare Early Childhood Teachers for Boston Public Schools

Wheelock College is proud to partner with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) and support the district's commitment to recruiting an increasingly diverse pool of teachers. Through Wheelock TeachBoston, qualified students can earn a master's degree from Wheelock and an initial teaching license for pre-kindergarten through grade 2 in as few as five semesters. Students receive free tuition, a living stipend, and potential placement in a BPS staff teaching position following completion of the program.

Overview
The program will recruit 15 new students each year. Students earn a master of science (MS) in early childhood education from Wheelock College, and Massachusetts initial licensure in pre-kindergarten to grade two. The program consists of five semesters of coursework, including summers, and a year-long internship/practicum in the Boston Public Schools. Classes meet in the evenings and/or on weekends. The internship consists of a half year in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, and a half year in grade one or two. Interns will be supervised and mentored by an experienced BPS teacher in each of these placements.

Wheelock College is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for the consistently high quality of all of its teacher-preparation programs. In addition, the early childhood education programs are recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Schedule
The fourth cohort of students will begin the program in September 2013 and graduate in May 2015. They will complete their internship from September 2014 to June 2015.

Program Benefits

• Free tuition
• $12,500 stipend toward living expenses during the internship year (September-June)
• Health insurance during the internship year
• Placement assistance for a teaching position in the Boston Public Schools
• MTEL and licensing preparation support

Program Costs

• Books
• MTEL testing and licensing fees
• Living expenses beyond stipend

Application Information

Requirements

• BA or BS degree
• A clear commitment to urban teaching
• Desire to work in the Boston Public Schools as a teacher upon graduation
• Experience with young children

The Boston Public Schools place a high priority on recruiting and hiring teachers of color, speakers of a language other than English, men interested in teaching in the early years, and those with experience with NAEYC accreditation.

Deadline
Applications are due by April 15, 2013. Invited candidates will participate in interviews and other selection activities.

How to Apply

1. To apply online, visit: https://apply.wheelock.edu/btr_apply.asp

2. Academic Records (transcripts) - Students applying for admission to a graduate program at Wheelock College must hold a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution. Degree-seeking applicants must present official transcripts from each college or university (including Wheelock College, if applicable) at which the applicant was granted a degree.

3. Letters of Reference - Three (3) letters of reference are required. One should be of an academic nature from a faculty member who is familiar with the applicant's academic work (e.g., a former professor or instructor of the applicant). The second reference should be from an individual who can discuss the applicant's work or relevant experience. The third letter may be either academic or professional at the applicant's discretion. References from family members and/or friends are not acceptable. Please note that additional letters of reference may be requested at the discretion of the Admission Committee.

All references must arrive in unopened envelopes with the evaluator's signature across the flap. While a student's recommender may draft a letter on his or her own letterhead we do require that the Reference Form be submitted as well with the student's signature as well as the recommender's information. Please make sure that information regarding the confidentiality of the letter is appropriately marked on this form.

Download the Reference Form.

4. Resume - Work experience and career progression are important and will be considered by the Admissions Committee. Resumes should be submitted in a professional format and include: contact information, educational background, work experience, and skills.

5. Essay - Please submit a 3-5 page essay and answer the following questions:

A) For admission to the Wheelock TeachBoston program, demonstrated commitment to working with children and families is an important criterion. Please describe your experience with children and families and how this has informed your decision to pursue teaching in the Boston Public Schools.

B) Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to urban teaching, a passion for the mission and philosophy that underlie teaching for social justice, and desire to continue in the Boston Public Schools as a teacher upon graduation. Please comment on what has informed your desire to work in the Boston Public Schools and your vision of the challenges and rewards of working in urban settings.

C) In a time of continued inequity in academic achievement for all children in our society, how might you describe your own vision of social justice and the role of teachers and schools in helping all children to succeed.

6) Interview - Once all application materials have been submitted, the college will determine if your application credentials are strong enough to be considered as one of the final applicants for admission and will then schedule an interview at a date to be determined in April. Not every applicant will be invited to interview.

Funding
This program is funded by a federal Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grant, which aims to improve the quality of new teachers in high-need school districts. Graduates are expected to seek employment in the Boston Public Schools and, if hired, to make a three-year commitment to the district.