"Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire."W. B Yeats
Goal
The Merrimack Teacher Development Center (MTDC) at the Merrimack Education Center (MEC) has developed a prescriptive Initial Educator Licensure Program, also defined as a Preliminary License Program in compliance with 603CMR 7.04(2) and 7.09(1) and M.G..L.c.71~38G, the standards for such licenses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As authorized under the Regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval (603 CMR 7.09), the MTDC will offer a Route 3 program, leading to an initial teaching license (secondary) in a variety of fields, e.g., English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, etc.
Potential Candidates
- Teachers who have received a Massachusetts Department of Education provisional license/preliminary certification in the field of the license being sought.
- Teachers teaching full-time in the area of the license being sought.
- Teachers who are not teaching but are able to complete an early field-based experience and half-year practicum.
- College graduates planning to teach a regular subject (English, Math, Social Studies, Art, Music, etc.) in a Massachusetts public middle or high school, who are seeking an Initial Teaching License.
Academic Report
Fitchburg State College offers graduate credit for educational coursework and practice prescribed in the Merrimack Education Center's District-Based Program. Eighteeen (18) credits successfully completed in this program may be transferable to a Masters of Education program offered by Fitchburg State College.
Curriculum
The curriculum is driven by an emphasis on developing well-trained teachers with strong mastery of secondary subject matter and pedagogy. Coursework encompasses a well-rounded integration of the Professional Standards for Teachers and emphasizes the integration and application of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in curricula and teaching. Competence in this curriculum is driven by the Massachusetts Common Core and Common Teaching Competencies, the Professional Standards for Teachers and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Competence in this curriculum is demonstrated in prepracticum and a full practicum in a collaborating public school system, under the supervision of a school-based practicum Supervisor and a MTDC Supervisor.
| Teacher Candidate's Curriculum |
| SEED 7015 |
Introduction to Strategies for Effective Teaching
in the Academic Discipline and Pre-Practicum |
3 credits |
| SEED 8260 |
Curriculum Design and Development |
3 credits |
| SEED 8250 |
Curriculum & Technology |
3 credits |
| SEED 8090 |
Practicum |
6 credits |
| SEED 9200 |
Practicum Seminar |
3 credits |
| Program Total: 18 credits |
Admission Standards and Criteria
Individuals who have completed a bachelors or graduate degree in a discipline other than a traditional professional education approved program at a college or university in the Commonwealth and/or those who do not meet the Educator Licensure regulations set forth by the Massachusetts Department of Education are eligible to apply to this program. The Communication and Literacy portions of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure must be successfully completed.
Application Process
Applicants will:
- Complete an application for admission.
- Submit official transcripts from all accredited colleges or universities.
- Request and submit three letters of recommendations from individuals under whom the applicant has studied or under whose immediate supervision he/she has worked in a professional capacity and/or from others in a position to offer pertinent appraisal of the applicant's ability to be a Massachusetts educator.
- Submit a professional resume.
- Submit passing scores on the communication and literacy skill test or date to take the same and the appropriate subject matter test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) or date to take the same.
- Submit a $35 nonrefundable application fee.
- Program fee: $500
3 credit course: $776*(FSC)
6 credit course: $1552*(FSC)
- After the above has been submitted please schedule a personal interview with the MTDC Executive Director or his designee to determine eligibility.
* Tuition cost may change over the length of the program.
Contact Information
Persons in need of information about the Merrimack Education Center and/or the Merrimack Teacher Development Center at MEC, may contact the following individuals:
James W. McCormickExecutive Director
Merrimack Teacher Development Center at MEC
40 Linnell Circle
Billerica, MA 01821
(978) 528-7800 ext. 243
jmccormick@meccorp.mec.edu Dr. Michele ZideSenior Associate Director
Merrimack Teacher Development Center at MEC
mzide@fsc.edu