ElEmEntary concEntration

Masterof artsinteaching

Coming from an education system in which the student is an empty vessel and the teacher is the bearer of all knowledge, I was eager to learn how to debunk this notion. The Brandeis Master of Arts in Teaching program guided me to become a teacher who learns with her learners. Knowing that I am not the one-stop center for knowledge in my classroom has made me a better teacher, mostly because it simultaneously pushes me to constantly research and to appreciate my students as both learners and teachers.Selah Agaba ’12

selah agaba ’12

dylan brodeur ’13

Brandeis prepares eleMentary school teachers who are …

Attentive. Teaching is as much a study of how an individual child thinks and behaves as it is a set of decisions meant to guide an entire class. Brandeis MAT students learn to patiently observe children and match specific types of teaching to meet learners’ various styles and needs.

Connected. Teachers who succeed in their work are connected to children, families and the various professionals who support teaching the whole child. Brandeis MAT students develop collaborative skills and a team approach to addressing “big” and “small”challenges alike.

Determined. Great teachers find ways to reach all learners, empowering each child to achieve and find deep connections to the life of a youngster. By reflecting on teaching and examining learning outcomes, Brandeis MAT students develop the persis-tence to seek the best possible ways to reach all children.

Effective. The most effective teachers are those who use innova-tive approaches to guide students on their journey of learning. Brandeis MAT students learn from teacher leaders whose prac-tices are breaking new ground in teaching methodology.

why

Brandeis?

We welcome students who have passion for learning how children learn and who are willing to take risks to create inclusive and inspiring classrooms.

The Brandeis Elementary Master of Arts in Teaching program offers:

• Choiceofaninternshipinapartneringurban,suburbanor Jewish day school

• AMassachusettsInitialLicense(Grades1-6)

• Personalizedattentionfromfaculty,mentorsand colleagues in a small cohort

• Facultywhohaveexperiencebothteachinginschoolsand in conducting research

• Aholisticapproachtochilddevelopmentandlearning

• Inquiryandreflectionculminatinginyourownteacher research project

• AdditionalMassachusettsK-8CertificateinModerate Special Needs

• Generousfinancialaid

teaching in today’s diverse classrooM

Today’s classrooms are increasingly diverse. The Master of Arts in Teaching program gives you the skills and confidence to engage students with a variety of backgrounds, levels of capabil-ity and life experiences. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. Our program prepares thoughtful, caring teachers to honor the strengths and address the needs of every student, includingEnglishLanguageLearnersandthosewithdisabili-ties. By the time you graduate, you will have the knowledge, skills and insights necessary to develop strong relationships with students, families and the school community. MAT students also have the option to earn additional certification in Moderate SpecialNeedsK-8.

Jenna Fernandes ’08

year-long internship

School context and culture matter. Because we are dedicated to developingteacherswhowanttoteachinurban(includingcharter), suburban and Jewish day schools, we take the intern-ship placement process very seriously. Before the program even begins, each MAT candidate meets with Brandeis faculty to match each candidate’s needs and interests with an appropriate school and mentor teacher.

MAT students spend two days per week in the fall observing their mentors, practicing teaching and deeply reflecting on all aspects of the daily demands of the classroom. The five-day- per-week internship begins in January, when MAT students gradually assume responsibility for teaching all classes through-outthespring.InMay,MATstudentsbeginaminiplacementto learn about schooling in another setting or to earn a Moder-ate Special Needs certificate.

Ongoing supervision from a Brandeis field instructor facilitates thetransferoftheorytopractice.TheMATElementaryCohortbonds via weekly reflective seminars. Seminar discussions include practical and “big picture” dilemmas of teaching and serve as models for future participation in educator professional development.

mara alpert ’12

teacher research projects

EachMasterofArtsinTeaching(MAT)studentcompletesaclassroom-based research project. Here are some recent titles:

“ListenUp!”:DiscoveringtheVoicesof“LessVocal”Students

bianCa perdiZ, mat’15

“IfYouBelieveinYourself,YouCanJustDoAnything”: Engaging Reluctant ReadersaleXandra Corsaro, mat’14

“ICan’tDoThisonMyOwn!”:FosteringIndependencein Reluctant WritersraChel grant, mat’14

“MindEngines:LookingUndertheHoodatStudentThinking”dylan brodeur, mat’13

“MakingGroupWork:FosteringCooperationWithin theClassroom”laura nelson, mat’12

“PerfectionismandResilience:AStudyofArtand the Student Experience”Jesse begelFer, mat’12

James hill ’16 and sara howell ’16

ongoing support

Have the support of a vibrant community even after you earn your degree.

Employment. Since the program began, Brandeis Elementary Master of Arts in Teaching graduates have been exceptionally successful in finding teaching positions. Our alumni are currently teaching in elementary schools around the world, in Massachusettsandinseveralotherstates,includingNewYork,CaliforniaandNewHampshire.

Support for beginning teachers. Any graduate whose initial teaching position is located in the Boston area is invited to participate in the monthly meetings of our Teacher Induction Program.

Teacher leadership. Brandeis graduates are increasingly being recognizedasteacherleadersintheirschools.Facultymemberscontinue to provide perspective and support as alumni move into instructional and institutional leadership roles.

hear froM our grads

Asateacher,Ihandledetailsalldaylong:curriculum,standards,logistics, individual students, and relationships with those students and their parents. My Brandeis training has given me theperspectivetoorganizeandprioritizethosedetails.Theprinciples,toolsandvaluesthatIlearnedintheMATprogramareuniversallyapplicabletothechallengesIfaceasateacherand are instrumental in my success.

Dylan Brodeur, MAT’13

TheMATPublicElementaryprogramprovidedmewiththeexperience and confidence that prepared me thoroughly for a careerasanelementaryteacher.Iwasabletodiscussandreflectupon myself as a new teacher and learn from teachers with varyingexperiencesandperspectives.Ihadtheopportunitytowork with students from diverse backgrounds, which enriched myexperienceandaidedinmygrowthasaneducator.Ideveloped copious methods to ensure that all students progress andsucceedaslearners.Mostimportantly,Igainedanunderstandingofmyroleasateacher,andIformedanopinionabouttheteacherIstrivetobethroughoutmypractice.

Bianca Perdiz, MAT’15

natanya Cohen ’12 (leFt) and Jesse begelFer ’12

applying to the prograM and financial aid

Generous financial support for graduate students and prospective teachers is available from a variety of sources.

The Brandeis Public Educator Scholarship provides tuition assistance to Master of Arts in Teaching students who have outstanding potential to contribute to the improvement of public education through an active and creative life as a teacher in the public sector.

Other scholarships availableThe Brandeis Jewish Educator ScholarshipAmericorpsorCityYearalumni/staffThe Brandeis Alumni Scholarship for TeachingTeacherLoanForgivenessPrograms

For further informationDanielleIgra,PhDAssistantProfessorofEducationDirectorofTeacherEducationdigra@brandeis.edu

RachelKramerTheodorou,MEdFacultyLeader,PublicElementaryConcentrationrbkramer@brandeis.edu781-736-2023

EileenKellSeniorDepartmentCoordinatorekell@brandeis.edu781-736-2002

Manuel TuanMasterofArtsinTeachingProgramCoordinatormat@brandeis.edu781-736-2022

Visit us:BrandeisUniversity415 South StreetWaltham, MA 02453

brandeis.edu/programs/mat

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