Preparation and Support
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Urban Teacher Center has partnered with Lesley University to provide a comprehensive residency and master’s degree program that is highly rigorous, clinically based, and equips our teachers with the skills needed to improve student performance.
The preparation and support UTC teachers receive includes:
- A relevant training ground: UTC residents spend a full year working in three different clinical sites (their first summer, school year and second summer). All coursework is practical, relevant, and actionable –structured to allow for immediate practice of learned skills.
- Extensive preparation: UTC’s dual degree was developed by experts from across the country, and is conferred by Lesley University. Coursework is modular (built on 12-hour blocks) and experiential, with key assignments grounded in clinical application.
- Emphasis on literacy and math: Teachers must know general pedagogy, but they must also understand content and how it is delivered. Our preparation model emphasizes acquisition of literacy and math skills because they are essential to success across all content areas. UTC is currently adding secondary English, math and science licenses.
- Deep training in assessments and diagnosis: So that our teachers can diagnose reading and math issues and provide appropriate and targeted instruction, UTC’s preparation program has a core emphasis on assessments and diagnosis.
- A dual master’s degree in general and special education: Regardless of their grade or content focus, each teacher receives a dual special education degree, enabling them to effectively meet the needs of every child.
- Dual certification: All successful UTC participants will earn a dual general and special education teaching license.
- Comprehensive instruction from UTC faculty: All coursework and clinical instruction is delivered by UTC faculty, who are approved by Lesley University.
- On-site clinical coaching: All UTC participants receive regular on-site coaching and support from UTC faculty during their residency and induction years.
- A team approach: Residents are placed in clusters of two - four fellow teachers at their school sites, to support and enhance a professional learning culture
