Step 1. Learn More & Apply

The first step is to learn more about the process of becoming a teacher by contacting the Mount Holyoke College Admissions and Communications Coordinator. If you are interested in taking the next step, complete and submit the application available on Holyoke Public Schools Talent Ed. Applications are accepted via Talent Ed from October to December. You will be asked to include a Personal Statement, answering the following questions:

• Why do you want to be a teacher in Holyoke?

• How are you involved in the Holyoke community/district?

• How do you plan to use your master's degree from Mount Holyoke College and your additional licenses to contribute to the turnaround work in Holyoke?

Step 2. Prepare, take and pass Communication and Literacy Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure® (MTEL®)

The MTEL Program was initiated by the Massachusetts Department of Education and includes tests covering communication and literacy skills as well as subject matter knowledge. The tests are designed to ensure that Massachusetts educators:

1. Can communicate adequately with students, parents/guardians and other educators.
2. Are knowledgeable in the subject matter of the license sought.

Once your application has been accepted by the Holyoke Public Schools, you must pass the Communications and Literacy MTEL. Passing the Communications and Literacy MTEL is a prerequisite for admittance to the Mount Holyoke College licensure and graduate program.

Step 3. Apply to Mount Holyoke College Graduate School

To apply to Mount Holyoke College, contact Mount Holyoke College’s Director, Teacher Licensure Programs, who will guide you through the application process. Once you apply, you can set up an appointment with the Admissions and Communications Coordinator to review your transcript. You will find out how many prerequisites you will need to complete the program and how long the program may take.

Step 4. Enroll and Attend Courses at Mount Holyoke College

Once you have chosen your field of study, or licensure area, you will receive a course list to obtain your license. The Masters of Arts in Teaching Licensure Program at Mount Holyoke College requires 36-38 credits and is typically completed on a part-time basis over two years. Your Mount Holyoke College advisor will review this with you. Then, you will enroll in courses for the semester ahead.

Step 5. Prepare, take and pass relevant subject matter Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure® (MTEL®)

While you are taking your graduate courses at Mount Holyoke College, you must also prepare for and pass your subject matter MTELs. Your Mount Holyoke College advisor or graduate programs coordinator is also happy to help.

• Our MTEL Resources page provides extensive information about MTELs, test preparation, and exams by popular licensure programs.
• Our PS Test Prep Support page offers information about test prep.
• Use our Request a Tutor form for free tutoring help.
• Paradigm Shift will also reimburse your MTEL test fees. Simply send a completed W9 form and a copy of your MTEL receipt to the Paradigm Shift Program Coordinator. You will receive a reimbursement check within two weeks' time.

Step 6. Complete Your Practicum

Students participate in full-time student teaching in early childhood and elementary classrooms for 12 weeks. During this semester-long field-based placement, students hone classroom management skills, implement an extended integrated curriculum unit, deliver lessons in all content areas, and develop a wide range of assessment skills. The practicum culminates in two weeks of Lead Teaching, during which the student is responsible for managing all aspects of the classroom program. Teacher candidates will work with both classroom teachers and college supervisors to address the Professional Teaching Standards and, specifically, the Candidate Assessment of Performance as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For more information about completing your practicum, contact Catherine Swift, Director, Teacher Licensure Programs 413-538-2464 cswift@mtholyoke.edu

Step 7. Apply for your Initial License

Once you have completed your MTELs, coursework and practicum, you can apply for your Massachusetts Initial License. Once you receive your license, you are a fully qualified teacher. Your license is valid for 5 years and may be renewed only once. After three years teaching, you can choose to work toward earning your Professional Teaching License. The professional license expires every five years but can be renewed as many times as you'd like.

Mount Holyoke College provides a seminar and one-on-one assistance as needed to complete the Initial License application. It takes one to four weeks to receive your license.

Congratulations! You did it! Holyoke Public Schools and the children you serve are fortunate to have you!

Who is this Marketing Response Plan for?

We would like to invite all Asian makers - rural or urban - who are looking for a digital presence to sell their artisanal creations. Unlike our competitors whose definition of artisan changes from time to time, we recognise you as a maker if you make or design your products. We are open to every kind of product you make except perishable items (sad, because we love cookies and cakes).

How do you apply & How long is the application process?

Typically, filling out the survey takes less than 10 minutes. Then a few more things will happen: We will contact you: We would like to get to know you and your creations better. We will also request for descriptions & images to best represent your product and the identity of our platform.
Product selection: As much as we wish we could market everything submitted to us, our resources are sadly limited. With your consent, we will select 1 or 2 products we feel best suited for our audience.

How do we plan to market your products?

Using our own resources, we will amplify your products’ reach by utilising social media platforms to attract global buyers directly to your online business. Interactions, post-marketing communication and order fulfillment with the buyers will be handled by you. Our Marketing Response Plan is inclusive of a small fee (Contact us to know more!).

What information are we planning to gather from this programme using your data?

Unlike the sly and invisible powers of the internet (you know who), we are committed to transparency in our business dealings. To cut the long story short, we are trying to understand the global demand for Asian products and the dynamics of the Asian-artisan product supply chain. Upon your request, we can share the data relevant to your business with you so you can, who knows, use the data that we gather to further enhance your online presence!

How long will we provide this Marketing Response Plan?

Innitially, we planned on running this Marketing Response Programme for about 2 months from when we started in June 2020. However, the pandemic shows that a lot of small businesses, especially the maker, are struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, we've decided to extend the programme longer until this pandemic ends and our lives are back to normal. With that, we are charging a small fee to get your brand and products featured on our platforms. From February 2021 onwards, you can have your products featured with us by signing up on our website home page or reach out to us directly via our Instagram page.

Can we provide an assurance that your data is well protected?

Click here to download our Partner Protection Agreement and view our Privacy Protection Policy. Appreciate if you could execute the agreement and return the same to hello@wemakethem.com for us to process.

What is the full cost of teacher preparation?

The total cost to obtain a Massachusetts Initial Teaching License is different for each person. We have included a worksheet in the Paying for Grad School section that you can print and complete as you gather financial information from the college you will attend and explore financial support that may be available to you. You will receive a tuition reduction from Mount Holyoke College. You will also receive an additional $3,000 toward tuition. Be sure to review the section titled Holyoke Public Schools Financial and Academic Support.

When would I have to pay for my college courses?

You must pay, or have made arrangements to pay, for your classes by the deadlines posted on the Graduate Tuition, Fees, and Billing page on Mount Holyoke College’s website.

Would free tutoring be available to me?

Yes. There is abundant free academic and MTEL tutoring that would be made available to you. Once you have enrolled in your courses, your Mount Holyoke College advisor will explain all of the academic resources and support available to you, such as tutors, mentors and study sessions. Holyoke Public Schools will notify you about free MTEL test preparation opportunities and provide a signup form. Paradigm Shift offers free MTEL tutoring. Simply complete and submit the online Request a Tutor Form. You will be contacted within the week by a prospective tutor. Paradigm Shift also offers free test preparation courses.

How do I get reimbursed for MTEL test fees?

Paradigm Shift will reimburse your MTEL test fees. Simply send a completed W9 form and a copy of your MTEL receipt to the Paradigm Shift Program Coordinator. You will receive a reimbursement check within two weeks' time.

How do I find out how many and which MTEL tests I have to take?

Our MTEL Resources page provides extensive information about MTELs, test preparation, and exams by popular licensure programs.
Our PS Test Prep Support page offers information about test prep. Your academic advisor at Mount Holyoke College is also happy to help.

What is the Urban Teacher Pathways Program (UTP)?

The ‘Urban Teacher Pathways’ (UTP) Program is a collaboration between Holyoke Public Schools and Mount Holyoke College. The purpose of this part-time, two-year program is to provide an avenue for current Holyoke Public Schools’ paraeducators and teachers on a waiver to earn their Initial Massachusetts Teacher License (general education), and additional licenses in Moderate Disabilities and possibly English Language Learners (ELL), as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Areas of high priority are Math and Science. Therefore, costs are heavily discounted by Mount Holyoke College with additional support possible through financial aid. Holyoke Public Schools provides $3,000 toward tuition to all Urban Teacher Pathways participants. This is transferred directly from Holyoke Public Schools to Mount Holyoke College. No additional request or application is necessary.