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 tenth cohort of Teacher Residents; there are 75 Residents in the 2011-12 cohort. Since graduating our first class in 2004, we have prepared over 300 highly effective teachers who are raising the bar for student achievement in their schools and across the entire school system.

When does the 2012-13 program begin and end?

The tenth BTR cohort will begin the Teacher Residency in July 2012 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:
Elementary [grades 1-5]
Middle School English, History, Math, or General Science [grades 6-8]
High School English, History, Math, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics [grades 9-12]
English as a Second Language [grades 1-12]

BTR also ensures that all Residents are prepared for dual licensure as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities.

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 2011-12 host schools.

Elementary schools:

Samuel W. Mason Elementary School — Roxbury

K-8 schools:

Orchard Gardens K-8 School — Roxbury
Young Achievers Science and Mathematics Pilot School — Mattapan
Dever-McCormack K-8 School — Dorchester

Middle schools:

James P. Timilty Middle School — Roxbury

High schools:

Boston Community Leadership Academy — Brighton
Charlestown High School — Charlestown
Fenway High School — Fenway

 

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.

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, and are clustered with a group of other Residents at a BPS host school. 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 Dorchester Academy [formerly TechBoston Lower Academy, formerly the Wilson School] at 17 Croftland Street in Dorchester.  The school houses a BTR campus and is near the Ashmont station on the MBTA Red line.

Do I have to take the MTEL before applying to BTR?

No, BTR does not require applicants to have already taken/passed the MTEL at the time of application to the program.  [So don’t let that hold you back from applying early!]  However, because it is a requirement to get licensed, graduate from BTR, and get hired by the Boston Public Schools, we strongly urge all applicants to prepare for and take the MTEL as early as possible.  Remember, BTR is a rigorous 13-month program - and the last thing you’ll want to do on a Saturday while a full-time grad student and almost-full-time teacher is spend the day taking tests.  Also, taking the MTEL early will allow you to focus your energies on preparing to be a great teacher [instead of preparing for tests].  It will also allow us to identify Teacher Residents who may need additional support for test preparation.

Do I have to take the MTEL once I'm accepted to BTR?

YES.  While we understand that not everyone may be able to take all required components of the MTEL during the admissions process [although it is highly recommended!], we do expect all accepted and enrolled Teacher Residents to commit to taking each unpassed test at each upcoming test date until all components have been passed.  In other words, after acceptance notifications for Early Admissions are sent in late January, enrolled residents for Cohort 10 must take all outstanding MTELs at the next available test date.  Residents unable to meet these requirements due to extenuating circumstances [living in an area that does not offer MTEL] or prior commitment must submit a formal request to miss a test date.

Application Questions

What are the minimum qualifications to apply?

To be eligible to apply for the 2012-13 program year, an applicant must a) be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, and b) hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree before the start of the program. Applicants must also report any previous Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) scores. 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 for the 2012-13 program?

Early Admissions
Application deadline: November 15, 2011
Selection Day notification: December 14, 2011
Finalists attend Selection Day: January 10, 11, or 12
Decision notification: January 20, 2012

Regular Admissions
Application deadline: January 6, 2012
Selection Day notification: February 1, 2012
Finalists attend Selection Day: February 15, 2012
Decision notification: February 24, 2012

Spring Admissions
Application deadline: March 1, 2012
Selection Day notification: March 28, 2012
Finalists attend Selection Day: April 10, 11 or 12 [tentative]
Decision notification: April 20, 2012

To what address do I send my official, sealed transcripts?

Boston Teacher Residency
Attn: Admissions
6 Beacon Street #615
Boston, MA 02108

Financial Questions

How much is the stipend?

During the 2012-13 program year, each Resident will receive a stipend of $12,100 paid in 12 monthly installments beginning in July. BTR is required to withhold taxes.  The AmeriCorps stipend amount may change from year to year.

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 $5,550 in qualified graduate student loans — more than enough to cover the degree costs from UMass Boston.  In addition, BTR provides a financial incentive for graduates who complete their 3-year teaching commitment in the Boston Public Schools.  Graduates take advantage of the opportunity to “pay back” through service rather than tuition dollars — one third of the $10K program tuition is waived after each year of teaching 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 $5,550 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 may choose to indicate a future test date on the online application.

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.  The BTR MTEL requires that all residents, once accepted to and enrolled in the program, take all outstanding MTELs at the earliest available test date [i.e., applicants who are accepted and choose to enroll to the program in January must register for the MTEL at the next available test date until all tests have been passed in order to begin the program in July].

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.

Which MTEL tests are required for licensure?

ALL teacher candidates are required to take Communications and Literacy Skills Test, a two-part Reading and Writing test that is offered in the morning component of all paper-based test dates, and which is now offered electronically on a regular basis.  In addition, there is a required Subject Test that corresponds to the grade/content you’d like to teach [e.g. History, Math, Chemistry, etc] and which is offered during the afternoon component of most paper-based test dates.  Please note: Elementary candidates should take the General Curriculum test [both the Multi-Subject and the Math subtests] but are not expected to take Foundations of Reading in advance of joining BTR.  ESL candidates are also not expected to take the ESL Subject Test in advance of joining BTR.  All other candidates should plan to take the corresponding Subject Test.

Which MTEL tests are required for licensure?

ALL teacher candidates are required to take Communications and Literacy Skills Test, a two-part Reading and Writing test that is offered in the morning component of all paper-based test dates, and which is now offered electronically on a regular basis.  In addition, there is a required Subject Test that corresponds to the grade/content you’d like to teach [e.g. History, Math, Chemistry, etc] and which is offered during the afternoon component of most paper-based test dates.  Please note: Elementary candidates should take the General Curriculum test [both the Multi-Subject and the Math subtests] but are not expected to take Foundations of Reading in advance of joining BTR.  ESL candidates are also not expected to take the ESL Subject Test in advance of joining BTR.  All other candidates should plan to take the corresponding Subject Test.

How can I study/prepare for the MTEL?

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education lists a number of test preparation resources on their website, including area institutions that offer courses. Applicants are encouraged to review the test objectives, test info booklets, and the available practice tests.