Advisor: Jillian DiBonaventura
Licensed teachers in STEM fields are in continual high demand across the United States. Participation and successful completion of our teacher preparation program will result in endorsement for an Initial teaching licensure in the state of Massachusetts. WPI students may elect to pursue licensure in middle or high school mathematics, middle school general science, high school science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), technology/engineering, or digital literacy/computer science alongside an undergraduate degree in the STEM-related major of their choice.
Specific content courses are required to meet Massachusetts requirements for Subject-Matter Knowledge competency, but these are generally met by courses in a student's major. Joining the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) licensure program enables participants to pursue the content area of their choice while impacting the lives of middle and high school students in urban schools and the local community. Students wishing to discuss this option further are encouraged to contact Jillian DiBonaventura, Director of Teacher Preparation at the STEM Education Center.
Applications to the TPP program are extended to candidates following successful completion of EDU 2200, EDU 2300, and a Psychology course. Interviews are conducted in the spring by the program director and associated faculty. Program decisions are made by May 1st for formal acceptance into the TPP. More information can be found on our website or by contacting the Director of TPP.
https://www.wpi.edu/academics/undergraduate/teacher-preparation-program
Program Objectives
The objectives of our programs are to support and develop PreK-12 STEM educators in high-quality curriculum development, culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy, research backed and evidence-based instructional practices, assessment, alignment to State standards and frameworks, and an ecosystems approach to educating whole people and communities.
Program Outcomes
- Students are able to develop and implement high-quality STEM lessons
- Students demonstrate best practices in teaching and learning
- Undergraduate Teacher Preparation students earn an initial teaching license in the state of Massachusetts at the secondary level in math, science, biology, chemistry, physics, technology/engineering, or digital literacy/computer science
- In-service teachers earn Professional Development Points (PDPs) or graduate credit to deepen their capacities in STEM education
Teacher Prep students must successfully complete the following requirements for initial licensure in the state of Massachusetts:
- Completion of an online portfolio that addresses the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) during the student teaching practicum
- Successful completion of a full-time teaching practicum in a local middle or high school during C&D terms (often completed as an IQP in junior year)
- Pass the state MTEL teaching tests in the following areas:
- Communication and Literacy skills (both Reading & Writing subtests)
- Relevant Subject-Matter test for the license sought
- Complete all program requirements (Pre-practicum experiences and coursework)