MAT Aspire Program Overview
Aspire: A Master of Arts in Teaching Program designed for non-traditional students
- Who may desire career changes
- Who may be Instructional Assistants
- Who will continue to work in their present jobs until student teaching
- Who are currently teaching without a license
- Who have other day responsibilities
- Who want more time to reflect upon and grow in their understanding of teaching.
Two-year Program
- Pre-K to grade 12 program
- First three semesters focus upon coursework
- Last semester of full time student teaching
- One night a week and one Saturday a month for coursework in the first year
Cohort based
- 6-10 students per cohort
- Assigned to an experienced educator for a two-year period
Major School Experiences
- Pre-Student Teaching Observation — First Year, 90 hours, 10-20 hours/month, both semesters
- Observes one teacher consistently but explores entire school culture
- Observes classroom and school environment
- Facilities and grounds
- School personnel
- Community relations and School climate
- Policies and procedures
- Co-curricular programs and Instructional resources
- Developmental needs of students
- Helps teacher with additional tasks when appropriate
- Taking attendance
- Correcting papers
- Assisting individual students
- Preparing instructional materials
- Practicum — Second Year, minimum 90 hrs observation including a minimum 15 hrs instruction, Fall Semester
- May be different school and/or supervising teacher than observation
- Tasks include
- Responsibility for some specific lesson planning and instruction to individuals, groups and whole class
- Preparation, administration and analysis of assessments
- Teaches a 2-5 week work sample
- Student Teaching — Second Year, 18 Weeks, Spring Semester
- May be different school and/or supervising teacher than observation and/or practicum
- Teaches a 2-5 week work sample