Graduate
Programs: The Field Experience
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Faculty members of the Tufts teacher education programs believe that one learns to teach by teaching. Tufts pre-service teachers are able to work intensively in school communities with whom the Department of Education has developed significant collaborations. |
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Some M.A.T. candidates choose the Traditional Model, working one day a week in a school site in the fall semester and become full-time pre-service teachers in the spring semester. Placements are currently available more than a dozen locations, including
Boston Latin Academy,
Brown Middle School,
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, and
Waltham High School.
Other candidates opt for the Urban Teacher Training Collaborative, working as full-time interns in urban school sites from late August through May. These internships are currently available at
Fenway High School,
Boston Arts Academy
, Codman Academy,
New Mission High School,
Boston Community Leadership Academy
(PDF), Somerville High School
and Malden High School. Both types of field experience provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to try a variety of teaching techniques, to develop relationships with students and faculty and to reflect critically on the teaching experience.
The student teaching practicum is the capstone experience of the Tufts teacher preparation programs. The practicum includes at least 300 hours in a school setting working with a teacher licensed in the appropriate subject area and grade level. Pre-service teachers become important members of the school community. They teach courses, develop innovative curriculum, work as tutors, assist as club advisors and coaches, attend parent conferences, and chaperone social events.
The process of getting a placement
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"The placement process is a little like matchmaking. After students are accepted, I contact them to assess what they are looking for in a field experience (large/small, traditional/non-traditional, urban/suburban). Then, I put each student in contact with several potential mentors. Ideally, students visit several school sites to get a sense of different school cultures and meet a variety of potential mentors. Out-of-state students contact mentors on the phone or via email. Then, I follow-up with the schools who ultimately choose the interns and student teachers based on their needs. This process is often completed by the end of the school year in June, though some placements are settled in early fall."
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-- Gena Merliss
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The Field Experience
Supervision
The Seminar Series
Students of Color
Course Requirements
MA State Licensure
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