Teacher Education

Teacher Education Program: Preprofessional Program 

The Teacher Education Program (TEP) will prepare you to become a reflective, justice-seeking educator who is able to effect change within the complex landscape of contemporary education. Through coursework and field-based experiences, specifically in an urban context, you will advance your skills in instructional practices, classroom management strategies and lesson planning as you work toward an Initial license in Massachusetts at the secondary or middle school level.

Grounded in urban-focused teaching and learning opportunities, the TEP depends on strong partnerships with Worcester Public Schools to provide you with a robust sequence of experiences, including structured observation, tutoring, and co-teaching, within which to expand their knowledge and skills. This experience is capped with a practicum semester, during which you will teach, assist with a duty, attend meetings and participate in other activities as members of the school community. You will be supported throughout your experience with a team of supervisors, professors and colleagues. Consistent reflection is critical to the program as you challenge your assumptions and discover your own identity as an educator.

Program Highlights

There are three primary components of the Teacher Education Program:

  • Education Coursework: To complete the licensure program, TEP students complete a comprehensive program of study in Education coursework, with courses in areas such as educational psychology, urban education and methods of teaching, as well as a practicum semester of full-time student teaching.
  • Subject Matter Knowledge Coursework: TEP students also complete a range of courses to meet the state Subject Matter Knowledge requirements for teachers. We currently offer approved programs in 11 licensure areas: Biology, Chemistry, Chinese Studies, English, French, General Science, History, Latin and Classical Humanities, Mathematics, Physics and Spanish.
  • Field-Based Experiences: Prior to the practicum semester, TEP students complete and document supervised pre-practicum experiences. The hours are embedded in required TEP coursework and provide each student with experiences in a range of educational settings within the Worcester Public Schools. 
student teacher in classroom
Field Experiences

Integrate your classroom learning with classroom practice through field experiences.

student holding a paper in front of a classroom screen
Ninth Semester Option

A ninth semester option allows you ample time to complete your student teaching requirement.

student giving presentation at Academic Conference
Requirements

Our program requirements will help you become a highly effective, reflective, justice-seeking educator.

Teacher Education News

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Class of 2023 Spotlight: Maxim Caron
“Holy Cross has taught me to embrace the unknown to fully realize personal growth.”
Josh Delgado '15 is reviewing classwork with a student from his Honors Algebra II class.
Why More Holy Cross Alumni Are Making Their Teaching Careers in Worcester Public Schools
Motivated students and a desire to shatter urban education myths are drawing an increasing number of graduates of the College's Teacher Education Program to the city's schools
Grace Dolan '24
Blog: Dolan ’24 Looking Forward to Arriving on Campus and Joining Ski Club
Name: Grace Dolan ’24 Hometown: Stowe, Vermont Studies She’s Considering: Psychology major and education minor, Teacher Education Program Why She Chose Holy Cross: I chose Holy Cross because its academics supported my interests and the spirit of and people from …