Frequently Asked Questions

• General Program Questions
• Application Questions
• Financial Questions
• Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and Other Licensure Questions

General Program Questions

How many graduates are teaching in the Boston Public Schools?

We are currently recruiting for our ninth cohort of Teacher Residents; there are 75 Residents in the 2010-2011 cohort. Since graduating our first class in 2004, we have prepared over 290 highly effective teachers who are raising the bar for student achievement in their schools and across the entire school system.

When does the 2011-2012 program begin and end?

The ninth BTR cohort will begin the Teacher Residency in July 2011 and graduate the following July. The preparation component of BTR takes one year, but BTR is really a four-year program; BTR continues to provide graduates with formal support and professional development for their first three years of teaching in the BPS and beyond.

What will my schedule look like?

The yearlong preparation component of BTR runs July through July, and encompasses two summer components and one full school year. During the summer, Residents are full-time students, taking master’s-level coursework specially designed by BTR Monday through Friday. During the school year, Residents co-teach with a mentor teacher at a host school Monday through Thursday, and continue to take seminars and coursework one evening per week and on Fridays.

Must I commit to teaching in the Boston Public Schools? For how long?

BTR graduates commit to teach in the BPS for at least three years. Upon completion of the three-year commitment, BTR forgives the complete tuition loan made during the preparation year. BTR provides its graduates with intensive and beneficial support during this three-year commitment to BPS. While the formal commitment is only three years, BTR does intend for most of its graduates to stay in teaching and take on leadership roles in the BPS for many years beyond the first three. As its graduate pool grows, BTR is building a powerful movement for change within the BPS and the larger education reform community.

How does BTR help me obtain a teaching position with the Boston Public Schools when I graduate?

BTR partners closely with the BPS Office of Human Resources to ensure that each cohort of Residents matches the projected hiring needs of the district. During the Residency year, BTR works with principals and recruiters to facilitate the hiring process, and BPS hosts several hiring fairs exclusively for BTR participants. BTR is in the process of creating partnerships with a set of BPS schools, each of which is committed to hiring a cluster of BTR graduates.

Does BTR place Residents in all grade levels and subject areas?

BTR places Residents in grades 1 through 12, and in the subject areas of English, History, Math, Science and English as a Second Language (ESL). BTR also ensures that all Residents are prepared for dual licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities.

When are BTR information sessions held?

From September through May, BTR holds weekly information sessions on Tuesdays, 5-7pm, at our office at 6 Beacon Street, Suite 325, Boston. To register to attend, or to see other events where you can meet with a BTR representative, simply sign up as a prospective applicant and you’ll automatically receive a link to our events calendar and registration form.

Which are the BTR host schools? Where are they located? Are they accessible via public transportation?

BTR school sites are all accessible via public transportation on an MBTA bus or subway line. Please visit www.mbta.com for more information. Below is the list of the 2010-2011 host schools.

Elementary schools:

Curtis Guild Elementary School — East Boston
Gardner Pilot Academy — Allston
Samuel W. Mason Elementary School — Roxbury

K-8 schools:

Rafael Hernandez K-8 School — Roxbury
Young Achievers Science and Mathematics Pilot School — Mattapan

Middle schools:

John W. McCormack Middle School — Dorchester
James P. Timilty Middle School — Roxbury
Washington Irving Middle School — Roslindale

High schools:

Charlestown High School — Charlestown
The English High School — Jamaica Plain
Boston International High School — Dorchester
Community Academy of Science and Health — Hyde Park
The Engineering School — Hyde Park
Fenway High School — Fenway

 

From which institution do I receive my master’s degree? Who teaches the courses?

Residents earn a master’s in education from the University of Massachusetts Boston. While UMass grants the degree, BTR hires its own faculty and designs curriculum tailored to BPS’ curricular and instructional activities. BTR courses and seminars are led by experts from schools, universities and local community agencies; the faculty has demonstrated expertise in bridging theory and practice.

How are Residents matched with mentor teachers?

After the admissions and enrollment process, BTR matches each Resident with a mentor at one of its host schools. Residents are placed with mentors in their grade level and content area as well as special education, and are clustered with a group of other Residents at a BPS host school with a school-based BTR Site Director. BTR gives careful consideration to making productive matches between Residents, mentors and school environments.

Does BTR provide housing?

BTR does not provide housing, although our large network of Residents and graduates is available for advice and assistance with housing and transportation.

Where are classes held?

Courses are held at TechBoston Academy in Dorchester.

Application Questions

What are the minimum qualifications to apply?

To be eligible to apply for the 2011-2012 program year, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident and hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree before the start of the program. Applicants must report all previous Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) scores or indicate an anticipated future test date. For more information on the MTEL, please click here.

What can I expect during the admissions process?

All applicants must first submit a complete online application by the appropriate application deadline. Applications are reviewed by a committee, and finalists will receive an invitation to attend a Selection Day. The Selection Day process takes place in a host school and consists of a set of activities, such as group problem-solving, a mini-teaching lesson, reflective writing and individual interviews. Decision letters are sent within two weeks following Selection Day.

How many Residents does BTR accept in each cohort?

Last year, BTR received approximately 600 applications for 75 positions.

What is the application timeline?

Early Admissions
Application deadline: November 15, 2010
Interview notification: December 16, 2010
Selection day interviews: January 12, 13, 14, 2011 (TBD)
Final Decision Notification: January 21, 2011

Regular Admissions
Application deadline: February 1, 2011
Interview notification: February 24, 2011
Selection day interviews: March 14, 15, 16, 2011 (TBD)
Final Decision Notification: March 25, 2011

Financial Questions

How much is the stipend?

Each Resident will receive a stipend of $11,800 for the full year in 2011-2012, paid in 12 monthly installments beginning in July. BTR is required to withhold taxes.

What makes BTR an affordable route to teaching?

BTR’s financial structure is intended to provide an affordable, high-quality pathway into teaching. Residents receive a stipend and health benefits, which can be supplemented by student loans. Upon graduation, eligible Residents receive an AmeriCorps Education Award, which can cover up to $5,350 in qualified graduate student loans — more than enough to cover the master’s degree costs. BTR graduates have their program tuition forgiven completely upon completion of the three-year teaching commitment in the BPS.

Does BTR offer health insurance? Where can I find more information?

As an AmeriCorps program, BTR is able to offer an individual health insurance plan for all Residents. BTR currently purchases the UMass Boston health plan for its Residents. For more information on the plan, click here.

How do most people manage their finances during the Residency year?

As a full-time enrolled graduate student at UMass Boston, Residents are eligible to apply for student loans and loan deferment through the University. Many Residents choose to supplement their monthly stipend and cover the costs to UMass Boston by applying for student loans; they then use the $5,350 AmeriCorps Education Award to pay back their interest-free federal student loan. Click here to download forms and access information on applying for student loans from Financial Aid Services at UMass Boston.

How much is BTR tuition? How does the tuition waiver work?

BTR charges $10,000 for its licensure program. However, Residents are automatically loaned that full amount upon admission to the program. BTR then forgives one-third of the tuition for every year that graduates teach in the Boston Public Schools. BTR graduates who teach in BPS for three years pay no tuition to BTR.

What is the cost of the master’s degree from UMass Boston?

Tuition costs for the UMass Boston master’s degree total approximately $4,000. As enrolled graduate students, Residents may apply for student loans, which can be paid back using the AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,350 received at the end of the Residency year.

Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and Other Licensure Questions

Is the MTEL required for admission to BTR?

In order to become certified in Massachusetts, teacher candidates must pass the appropriate sections of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). BTR requires applicants to submit past MTEL scores. Applicants who have not yet taken the MTEL must sign up for and indicate a future test date.

While a passing score on the MTEL is not a strict requirement for admission, BTR strongly encourages all applicants to prepare for and take all appropriate sections as early in the process as possible in order to successfully complete the program and earn licensure. Residents must pass the Communications & Literacy Test and the relevant content area test by December of the Residency year. Residents who have not passed the Communications & Literacy Test and the relevant content area test by December of the Residency year will not be officially admitted to the practicum component of the program.

For more information on required subject area tests and other information on BTR’s MTEL requirements, click here.

Where and when are MTEL exams offered?

The MTEL is offered in several locations in Massachusetts, as well as seven out-of-state locations: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. For information on test dates, sites and registration, click here.

Where can I find test preparation resources?

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers resources to help you in preparing for the MTEL. Click here for more information.

You can obtain test information booklets here.
You can find out about institutions that offer test preparation courses here.