Reach to Teach
Developing Our Next Generation of Teachers

Reach to Teach alumna Lisha standing outside school smiling wearing a black coat, white shirt, and glasses.

What is Reach to Teach?

Reach to Teach (RTT) is a ground-breaking partnership between Springfield Public Schools (SPS) and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ (WSU) that was forged with the intent of: increasing the number of Springfield Public School students of color entering into the teaching profession; and, increasing the number of SPS students of color graduating with teaching licenses in the math, science, and special education fields. The program achieves this by guaranteeing automatic admission for qualified candidates into À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s teacher licensure program. RTT provides students with mentoring support while at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ State. Upon successful completion of the program graduates are guaranteed employment as a teacher in the Springfield Public Schools.

I am a teacher in Springfield because this is where I grew up, and I wanted to give back to my community by helping build the foundation of learning for our children. The Reach to Teach program has help turn my vision  into reality!

Keila Ortiz, '19
Springfield Public Schools Kindergarten Teacher 

Be an inspiration. Transform a life. Become a teacher in your neighborhood, right here in Springfield.

Studies show that when students have teachers who come from the same racial and cultural background as they do, they perform better academically, have higher self-esteem, stay in school longer, and graduate at higher rates.

When you become a teacher in the community where you grew up, you connect with your students in a unique and special way. 

The program provides these benefits to eligible students:

  • Automatic admission to À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ
  • Technical support on the application process
  • Available scholarship funding during junior and senior years

                 And most importantly...

  • A guaranteed job and mentorship with Springfield Public Schools 

What Subject should I teach?

The Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E) major with licensure and the licensure-only programs are designed to prepare outstanding teacher candidates at the Massachusetts Initial Licensure level. 

  • Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education
  • Middle and Secondary education programs  prepare students to teach select academic disciplines like Biology, Chemistry, History, English, and Mathematics
  • Art, Movement Science/Physical Education and Music departments also sponsor initial teacher licensure preparation

Ten reasons why you should become a teacher in Springfield.

  • Inspire the youth from your community to dream beyond their challenges
  • Share your creativity with an enthusiastic audience
  • Have a positive impact on children’s futures—one child at a time
  • Work in a field that pays you to inspire children, and see how the children inspire you
  • Work in a field that offers many opportunities for promotions and salary increases
  • Teach math, science, ESOL, or special education and earn an extra $2,000 a year plus special reductions to your student loans each year
  • Become a role model for your siblings, your students, and their parents and other adults in the community
  • Model belief in your students for other educators
  • Teach and learn something new every day
  • Give back to your community 
  • Have you

    thought about how you can give back to your community?

  • Have you

    thought about teaching?

What are the program requirements?

The Education Department and the Office of Teacher Education expect students who want to be teachers to maintain good academic standing. A student must:

  • Complete 120 or more credits
  • Achieve an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher with a 3.0 in education pedagogy coursework
  • Pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure
What courses do I have to take?  
First Year
  • Take core requirement classes
  • Acquire a broad base in the liberal arts
Sophomore 
  • Complete core requirements
  • Take introductory education courses
  • Begin taking the MTEL tests
  • Participate in public school classroom field days
Junior
  • Complete professional education coursework
  •  Complete arts or science major coursework
  • Complete field work in PreK-12 classrooms
  • Finish taking the MTEL subject matter tests
Senior
  • Finish any remaining coursework
  • Complete a student teaching experience

Additional Information

Reach to Teach Video English
Reach to Teach Video Spanish

 View Program Brochure

Have questions?

Contact your high school counselor today to learn more about this program. You can also contact:

  • Springfield Public Schools Executive Officer for Student Services, Yolanda Johnson at 413-787-7100
  • À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s Education Department at 413-572-5315, or the Office of Teacher Education at 413-572-5321.