One Amazing Teacher’s MTEL Success Story
If you’re reading this blog you probably know a little about the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and what it takes to get your teacher certification in MA! If not, check out this blog where we break it all down! In this blog, we’re sharing one teacher’s powerful story about her journey to become a licensed teacher in MA. The story has a happy ending, but sadly she truly did almost give up on her teaching dream and this is a narrative we hear all too often as MTEL education consultants.
The MTEL Challenge
Whether you’re a student teacher or a certified teacher form another state, you’ll have to pass your MTELs to officially become a licensed teacher in MA. And, unfortunately, the MTELs can be very challenging.
Some challenges students face when taking the MTEL include time constraints, content complexity, test anxiety, and the need for effective study strategies. Additionally, it can be particularly challenging for teacher candidates who identify as having a disability or who speak English as a second language.
Though the MTEL is meant to be indicative of one’s teaching abilities, it’s not. In fact, some of the best teachers we know failed their MTELs … more than once.
Eileen, an out of state teacher who moved to MA to continue her career, is one of them!
Eileen’s Background
Though Eileen grew up in MA, she started her teaching career in Alabama and New Hampshire. When she decided to move back to her home state, she knew MA did not offer reciprocity for the teaching license she already held, and that she would need to take her MTELs in order to be an official teacher in MA. The journey to pass quickly became a huge stressor in her life on top of teaching with a Provisional License (granted to out of state teachers for a period of time, read more here!) Eileen told us
“I had attempted my MTELs more times than I would like to admit, especially considering I had been teaching for almost 7 years. I was basically at my breaking point and ready to pack my bags and head back to school to pursue another career…”
Eileen’s Struggles and Concerns
When Eileen came to us, she had already tried taking countless MTEL prep courses and worked with multiple tutors in a 1:1 setting – She was spending so much money on support and retaking the exam, and she kept missing the 240 passing score by a point or two. Eileen told us:
“I had decided to give one of my online teachers a call and ask him to tutor me individually. We met one night and there was a lot of talk about how I “wouldn’t pass” because although I was one 1 point away, I couldn’t explain further how and why I was getting some of my answers and I had yet to memorize all the “prepositions” and other small parts of speech from the English language. This tutoring session included a lot of tears – I had felt like this man had told me my dreams of continuing to teach were not attainable…”
Sadly, we hear this story from many of our students – They’ve been studying with no support or with a program or tutor that isn’t providing them with the tools and encouragement that actually make all the difference in passing the exam.
Our Program’s Impact
Eileen had reached her breaking point after that session with the tutor who discouraged her abilities. The next day she went to work and told a co-worker about her experience and how she was going to leave education altogether at this point.
Luckily, her coworker knew about our program and told Eileen to give it one more shot.
Eileen says “First I met Christine – She was the most genuine, caring kind person I had ever come across. She took a real interest in “me” – She wanted to know my learning style, she was supportive and positive, and she put up with my millions of questions. And BAM I passed the MTELs that I had taken more than a handful of times … Then I met Georgia who was equally supportive and kind and with her help I passed my final MTEL to become officially certified in MA.”
Specifics of Our Program
Our program goes beyond the MTEL content. As excellent teachers know, all students learn differently. All students require unique tools and support to succeed. One commonality is that all students need and deserve a teacher that believes in them and instills confidence and a positive mindset. This focus on individuality and mindset are what sets Making the Grade Project apart when it comes to setting teachers up for success in their field.
Eileen says “Not only did they help me pass my MTELs, but first they believed in me and brought me back to a place where I could believe in myself.”
When working with us, whether through a district professional development, a university workshop, or through our online self-paced study platform, all teacher candidates in our care receive:
- Tools to uncover their specific learning profile
- Help creating a study plan that matches their unique learning needs
- Downloadable resources and links that correlate with their learning style
- 1:1 support
- Progress monitoring tools
- Study community
- Q+A sessions
- Mindset tools
Wrapping Up
There are enough barriers to succeeding as a teacher these days, the MTEL shouldn’t prevent excellent teachers from starting their careers.
We’re here for you and you for this! Create a study plan, find resources that work for you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help! We’ve got you!
