Quinsigamond Biomedical Engineering


Strategic Initiatives

MassTeach

Overview

MassTeach Logo
MassTeach is a program designed to recruit and support more STEM teachers of color who start their college careers at a community college.

Contact

Allison Little
Assistant Commissioner, P-16 Alignment and Outreach
Principal Investigator, MassTeach
(617) 994-6935
alittle@dhe.mass.edu

Duration

2018 – Present

Related Data

 

 

Student Identities
Partnerships

Multiple Campuses

Related Initiatives

MassTransfer

Background

MassTeach is a program that is designed to recruit more teachers of color into K12 classrooms by intentionally partnering with community colleges. Students who are studying a STEM field at any of the fifteen Massachusetts community college and are interested in giving back to their community through teaching should consider applying to MassTeach. Students who are selected to be MassTeach Scholars will be part of a program with other people in MassTeach. As a group, Scholars will receive advising, testing support, tutoring, and be part of a community. 

About

Program Description

MassTeach is a program that is designed to recruit a more diverse teacher workforce, particularly teachers of color, into K12 classrooms by intentionally partnering with community colleges. Students who are studying a STEM field at any of the fifteen Massachusetts community college from any background and are interested in giving back to their community through teaching should consider applying to MassTeach. Students who are selected to be MassTeach Scholars will be supported through a cohort-based model and meet regularly with other students participating in MassTeach, including Scholars from across the Commonwealth. During these meetings, Scholars discuss how to support equity in the classroom, how to work with administrators to support common goals, and how to navigate taking course work in STEM and in education while at the university. At the institution, with support of your MassTeach advisor, you will receive customized course taking guidance, as well as being connected to tutoring and testing support. While no scholarship funding will be guaranteed during the 2024-2025 school year, the program will support Scholars to apply to eligible and relevant scholarship programs for financial assistance.

Benefits

After five years of supporting MassTeach Scholars, we have come to recognize that the supports are the most valuable benefit that students receive who participate in the program. Be part of a community of likeminded students from across the Commonwealth who are interested in giving back through service via classroom teaching

As a MassTeach Scholar, you would:

  • Participate in MassTeach cohort meetings with other community college transfer students who are also pursuing STEM degrees and want to become high school mathematics or science teachers in high needs about six times per year
  • Receive coordinated transfer support from community college and university faculty
  • Receive customized course advising from university faculty
  • Help navigating which scholarships are available to students studying STEM and/or education and assistance in completing applications

Who Can Apply

Any Massachusetts community college student is eligible to apply. Students should be studying a STEM field and need to be interested in teaching. Specific requirements to apply include:

  • Students of color are strongly encouraged to apply
  • Passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and for teaching
  • On the pathway to transferring to a partner state university
    • Bridgewater State
    • Fitchburg State
    • MCLA
    • UMass Amherst
    • Westfield State
    • Worcester State

Students are welcome to apply any time before they are ready to transfer to a partner university.  Students who have earned less than 45 credits can apply as early admits.  Students who are accepted as early admits will need to complete their Associate’s degree requirements before joining the MassTeach program. 

Prior to beginning at the university, it is the expectation—but not a requirement—that all MassTeach Scholars will have passed the courses below (Check with community college faculty for course number and name information)*:

  • Introduction to Education
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Adolescent or Developmental Psychology

How to Apply

The application period is now open and applying is easy! Applications are due no later than April 5, 2024. Applications after this date may be reviewed pending availability.

  • Open the MassTeach application.
  • Acquire a copy of your transcript to have ready to upload as part of the application; this can be done by asking an advisor or through the Registrar
  • Complete all parts of the application and submit form, including uploading your transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted).
  • Get a letter of recommendation from a STEM or education professor from your community college. Recommendations can be sent directly to Allison Little (alittle@dhe.mass.edu) with the subject line “MassTeach Application: Recommendation for (name of applicant).

Please direct all questions to Allison Little (alittle@dhe.mass.edu).

FAQs

I haven’t earned my Associate’s degree yet. Should I still apply?

Students officially become MassTeach Scholars when they transfer to the university. Students should apply in the spring before they are transferring or any semester before then. We highly encourage students to complete an Associate’s degree prior to transferring because students need to be entering as a junior (a student with 60-credits or more toward a degree) to be eligible to receive the money the scholarship funds.

What happens if I don’t complete the program?

This program is designed to support STEM community college transfer students who are interested in becoming teachers through intentional and coordinated advising and participation in a community via a cohort model. Any scholarships that a student receives may have its own requirements about repayment of funds if a student does not complete the program. Advisors can help go over this information with you and/or help you find this information.

Why is this limited to only certain schools for 2024?

MassTeach supported its first cohort in 2019 at three state universities: MCLA, Westfield State, and Worcester State. In 2022, the program grew to include STEM transfer students at Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, and UMass Amherst. For the time being, these six universities are the only institutions connected to this program.

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