The strength of our Teacher Residency Program is in the melding of theory and practice. As a teaching apprentice (TA), you will not only earn your Master’s Degree and Initial Licensure, you’ll also become a valued member of our school community.

TAs take an active role in all aspects of campus life. Working side-by-side with dedicated mentor teachers, TAs have opportunities to plan lessons and units of study, participate in parent conferences and faculty meetings, and more.

Growth is supported through feedback from mentor teachers, weekly meetings with the Program Director, and professional development opportunities in addition to your course work at Lesley University.

Brookwood is dedicated to mentoring early career teachers for a lifetime in education. Our goal is to provide our TAs with tools and training in classroom teaching and becoming leaders in school communities. 

Not only does the responsibility of being a mentor teacher require our faculty to stay current with the latest educational research and methods, our TAs regularly share insights and ask questions that deepen our practice. This partnership helps us thrive as a community where everyone is a learner.

Jon Bartlett, Head of School

As a TA at Brookwood, I gained valuable classroom experience. I worked closely with teachers who willingly provided feedback and guidance on preparing and teaching lessons. The whole faculty showed a commitment to the program by offering their expertise, which made my experience a very supported and encouraging one.

Lauren Haist, Grade 3 Teacher, Brooke Charter School, Roslindale, MA

The Teacher Residency Program at Brookwood prepared me to handle all aspects of having my own classroom—from lesson plans to parent/teacher conferences. I am successful as a teacher because of the training I received.

Cara Lamontagne, Grade 1 Teacher, Marblehead, MA

The Teacher Residency Program gave me the skills and practical experience necessary to prepare me for the challenges and rewards I have faced in my various roles over the past 15 years. As an elementary school principal, I now seek candidates from programs similar to Brookwood’s. Through daily teaching and participation in rich seminar discussions and rigorous coursework, this type of environment provides opportunities to participate in all aspects of the learning process.

Michelle Costa, Principal, Bancroft Elementary School, Andover, MA

One Year of Experience in the Classroom

Over the course of the school year, apprentices will teach in two different classrooms. Within each placement, they will have the opportunity to observe, teach small and whole class lessons, work with students one-on-one, and participate in parent conferences and progress report writing. Opportunities for professional development both on and off campus are also available.

Dedicated and Supportive Mentor Teachers

Our teachers are dedicated to the success of their students and their apprentices as well. As passionate, active learners and experienced professionals, they provide a strong model from which to learn. Through regularly scheduled meetings and daily interactions, apprentices receive frequent feedback and guidance from mentor teachers.

Application Process

Those interested in the Teacher Residency Program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Candidates for the program should be eager and enthusiastic learners who enjoy working as part of a team and have a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging.

Candidates must complete a Lesley University Teacher Residency Application and submit a resume, two letters of reference, transcripts from any undergraduate schools attended, and a written personal statement with the application form. The Communication and Literacy MTEL test is recommended but not required prior to starting the program. For those who have taken it, proof may be provided in the application process.

Application materials will first be reviewed by Brookwood School. Accepted candidates will then have their applications reviewed by Lesley University.

Course Sequences

One year at the Brookwood School-Lesley University Teacher Residence Program will change the course of your life. And you will change the lives of countless children to come!

  • SPEND 5 days a week working and teaching in a classroom with a dedicated mentor teacher
  • ATTEND weekly meetings and gain feedback from the Program Director
  • ENJOY reduced travel, complimentary housing and a beautiful 30-acre wooded campus
  • BENEFIT from an extensive alumni network, job search training and support

Note: Summer courses are taken at the Lesley University campus. Pre-Practicum and Practicum seminar courses as well as the spring STEAM courses are taught on Brookwood's campus. All other courses are a hybrid of online and in-person sessions.

Early Childhood Education Course Sequence

Summer
  • EEDUC 6001 Culturally Responsive Pedagogies:  Equity & Access (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5400 Literacy Essentials for Every Educator(Co-requisite: EDIAG 5100) (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5128 Early Childhood Social Studies, Families and Communities (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5122 Child & Adolescent Development (Lesley)
Fall
  • EECLD 6115 Sheltered English Instruction (Lesley)**
  • EEDUC 5138 Literacy, Literature, and the Arts in Early Childhood (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5139 Learning Math in Early Childhood (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 6310 Design for Learning:  Inquiry, Equity and Inclusivity (pre-practicum) (School)

**Students must take EECLD 6115 in order to receive SEI endorsement for licensure. May be taken at any point in the program.

Spring
  • EEDUC 6109 Observation, Documentation & Assessment (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5130 Early Childhood STEAM and Health (School)
  • EDUC 7733 Practicum and Seminar* (School)

*Students must pass the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) required pass their licensure area prior to the start of the spring semester.  For current information on state testing requirements for initial licensure programs, test preparation and study resources, and the Lesley University test policy, see Lesley's Certification Office web page at www.lesley.edu/certification or speak to your Lesley advisor. 

Elementary Education Course Sequence

Summer
  • EEDUC 6001 Culturally Responsive Pedagogies: Equity & Access (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5400 Literacy Essentials for Every Educator (Co-requisite: EDIAG 5100) (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5136 Integrating Social Studies into the Elementary Classroom (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5122 Child & Adolescent Development (Lesley)
Fall
  • EECLD 6115 Sheltered English Instruction (Lesley)**
  • EEDUC 5102 Elementary School Mathematics (Co-requisite: EDIAG 5000) (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 5121 Elementary Literacy:  Purposeful Language Arts Instruction (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 6310 Design for Learning: Inquiry, Equity and Inclusivity pre-practicum (School)

**Students must take EECLD 6115 in order to receive SEI endorsement for licensure. May be taken at any point in the program.

Spring
  • EEDUC 5135 STEAM in the Elementary School: Thinking with Evidence (School)
  • EINSE 5037 Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom (Lesley)
  • EEDUC 7733 Practicum and Seminar in Elementary Education (1-6)* (School)

*Students must pass the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) required for their licensure area prior to the start of the spring semester.  For current information on state testing requirements for initial licensure programs, test preparation and study resources, and the Lesley University test policy, see Lesley's Certification Office web page at www.lesley.edu/certification or speak to your Lesley advisor. 

Tuition

The tuition for the collaborative program is split between Brookwood School and Lesley University. Tuition paid to Brookwood is $6,000. (12 credits) This payment is made in two installments, the first due in October and the second in April. Brookwood tuition covers Pre-Practicum and Practicum Seminar courses, school-sponsored professional development, First Aid/CPR training, mentorship and books for on-campus courses. Tuition paid to Lesley University is $875 per credit (24 credits). Additional Lesley University fees include $25 per credit Comprehensive fee, a one-time $925 Affiliation fee and $200 software fee.

About Brookwood

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