OVERVIEW

The MAT program is one of three programs in the School of Education. Using a reflective, collaborative and justice-oriented approach we prepare teachers who create productive learning environments, critically reflect on their teaching and student learning, and interrogate their own biases and confront inequities in schools. As a teacher candidate in our MAT program you will have the opportunity to explore questions related to this work, such as: How can I create a productive learning environment to meaningfully engage my students? How can I foster students' academic, social, and emotional development? How can I learn from and improve my teaching? How can I confront bias and inequity in my school?

In one academic year candidates earn Washington state residency certification and a master’s degree. You will experience intentional school-based placements, small collaborative classes, active development of cultural competence, and personal mentoring from faculty members and local school teachers.

 

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ALUMNA
Sarah Berkley MAT'15

"[My] placement offered me an experienced, inspirational mentor who was very open and responsive to my needs and my ideas."

What You'll Learn

  • Cultivate active critical reflection and questioning—to learn from practice, to improve practice, and to support teacher learning as a life-long process of growth
  • Create productive and challenging learning environments—to support and assess student intellectual, social and emotional growth, active engagement, and sense of belonging
  • Interrogate personal biases and social location—to actively pursue culturally-responsive practice and to contribute collaboratively to the ongoing work of equity
SAMPLE COURSES

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Examples of practicum internships and student teaching placements, often in Pierce County/Tacoma Public Schools: 

AFTER PUGET SOUND

Graduates teach in elementary, middle, and high schools—locally, across Washington state and the nation, and on every continent, as well as becoming principals and leaders.

  • Eagle County School District (support specialist)
  • Tacoma Science and Math Institute (mathematics teacher)
  • Columbia Junior High (English language arts teacher)
  • Todd Beamer High School (English teacher)
  • Wilson High School (principal)
  • Singapore American School (director of personalized learning)
  • Lisa Sternadel Rodgers MAT'03, teaching 9th grade physical science and AP biology, received the Milken Award. Milken Educators are selected in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. 
  • Bryan Johnson MAT'97 was selected to the Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship program, exploring the Galapagos Islands.
  • Jeremy Bort '03, MAT'05 and Franscesco Ortenzo '01, MAT'05 were panelists on gaming in the classroom at PAX West.

EDUCATION & TEACHING RESOURCES

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RACE & PEDAGOGY JOURNAL

Engaging Teaching Dilemmas to Foster Culturally Responsive and Antiracist Teaching Practice represents individual MAT students' experiences with race and racism during student teaching in K-12 classrooms in Spring 2019.

2018 Race & Pedagogy National Conference poster
RACE & PEDAGOGY RESOURCE LIST

This collection of print and non-print resources was compiled by teachers, university faculty, and community members participating in the PreK-12 Teachers and Students Unlearning Racism strand during the 2018 Race & Pedagogy National Conference.

Collins Memorial Library
EDUCATION SUBJECT GUIDE

Collins Memorial Library offers subject guides for all areas of studies, including Education, as starting points for research.