Institutes for Educators

Amy Asadoorian, Admissions and Communications Coordinator


Merrill House
413-538-3478
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/academics/find-your-program/professional-development-institutes

Overview and Contact Information

Graduate-level professional development courses can be used to increase effectiveness, engage learners, and promote successful outcomes in classrooms, at nonprofits, or in other awareness-building, advocacy and community outreach programs.

The Institutes for Educators are appropriate for recent graduates, mid-career professionals changing direction, and those with significant professional experience looking to broaden their skills. The courses are open to college students and community members who are prepared for graduate-level coursework.

Coursework is offered in face-to-face classrooms, online, and in a combination of classroom and online. Classes can be taken individually or in pursuit of certificates of competency (12 credits).

Students who are already enrolled in a master's degree program at Mount Holyoke College do not need to submit a separate application to register for Institute courses. Undergraduate students may apply to take graduate courses, but they must demonstrate readiness to undertake graduate-level work. Credits earned by undergraduate students are not automatically applied toward degree requirements and must qualify as transfer credits per their home institutions' usual transfer credit policies in order to be applied toward the bachelor's. Grades and GPA earned as a non-matriculated student at Mount Holyoke are recorded on a Mount Holyoke non-matriculated student transcript and do not appear on the Mount Holyoke undergraduate or graduate transcript.

Faculty

Kathryn Accurso, M.A., University of Missouri

Joseph Agron, M.Ed., American International College

Gwendolyn Bass, Ed.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst

Sarah Brown Wessling, M.A., Iowa State University

Kelly Carriere, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst

Jemelleh Coes, Ph.D., University of Georgia

Nancy Gardner, M.A., Florida State University

Holly Graham, Ed.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst

James Hanson, M.A.T., Mount Holyoke College

Karen Harrington, M.Ed., University of Massachusetts, Amherst

John Holland, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University

Elise Kuypers, M.A.T., Mount Holyoke College

Alicia Lopez, M.Ed., University of Massachusetts Amherst

Daniele Massey, Ed.D., Walden University

Pam Mulcahy, M. Ed., University of New Hampshire

Lyndsey Nunes, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Allegra Osborne, M.A., University of Phoenix

Shelby Regner, M.A.T., Mount Holyoke College

Janice Szymaszek, M.Ed., Smith College

Kaneka Turner, M.A.T., Mount Holyoke College; M.Ed., University of Phoenix

Polly Wagner, M.Ed., Lesley College

Ann Zito, M.A.T., Mount Holyoke College

Admission

All courses and institutes offered through Mount Holyoke's Professional and Graduate Education (PaGE) programs are gender-inclusive.

Students already enrolled in a master's degree program at Mount Holyoke College do not need to submit a separate application to register for Institute courses.

All others will need to submit an application via the online application including uploading the specified supporting materials, except official transcripts which should instead be mailed to:

Amy Asadoorian
Professional and Graduate Education
Mount Holyoke College
50 College Street
South Hadley, MA 01075

Materials may also be emailed to graduateadmissions@mtholyoke.edu.

Financing

Please see Graduate Tuition, Fees, Financing, and Financial Aid for further information.

Additional Teacher Licensure

Mount Holyoke has designed specific modules for previously licensed teachers and current students who are pursuing initial licensure to independently apply for an Additional License in one of the following three areas.

  • New level/subject area
  • English language learners (PreK-6, 5-12)
  • Special education/moderate disabilities (PreK-8, 5-12)

See the Additional Licensure page for additional information.

Differentiated Instruction Institute

The Differentiated Instruction Institute offers courses to help educators build a framework and deepen their skills to support and empower diverse learners. Courses cover strategies to: help learners process, construct, and make sense of ideas; engage learners; monitor progress and make informed instructional decisions; and help all learners succeed. Students work with an advisor to craft the right set of courses based on each students’ needs and goals.

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-441Fostering a Collaborative Culture for Learning2
English Lang. Lrn (thru PaGE)
X.ELL-403Research in Teaching English Language Learners3
X.ELL-406Introduction to Teaching English Language Learners2
X.ELL-416Language Assessment and Classroom Practice2
X.ELL-418Second Language Acquisition and Classroom Practice2
X.ELL-421Linguistics for Teachers2
X.ELL-426Methods in Teaching English Language Learners (ELL Methods)4
X.ELL-451English Language Development Standards and Assessment Framework1
X.ELL-463Teaching English Language Learners: Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement Standalone4
Special Education (thru PaGE)
X.SPED-416Interventions for Behavior and Classroom Management1
X.SPED-421Assistive Technology for Special Education1
X.SPED-426The Inclusive Classroom2
X.SPED-441Differentiated Instruction for Diverse Learners2
X.SPED-447Assessment and Instruction for Exceptional Learners3
X.SPED-471Legal Perspectives in Special Education1
X.SPED-481Special Education Law: Transitions, Collaboration, and Applications2

Digital Innovation and Media Institute for Educators

In both formal and informal settings there is an increasing use of media to enhance learning, build public awareness, support learner guided exploration, create rich and interactive learning experiences, and engage people in new and creative ways. The Digital Innovation and Media Institute was designed to support educators, whether they work in a classroom, community outreach organization, library, museum, health care or other organizational context. With a range of media production, communications, storytelling, pedagogy, and project management courses, participants can select the right set of courses to meet their unique needs.

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Equity, Advocacy, and Partnerships Institute

The Equity, Advocacy, and Partnerships Institute engages educators in building skills and knowledge that will help them: explore issues of equity and social justice in the educational context, assess community needs and values, engage families and colleagues in partnerships, and advocate for students. Students work with an advisor to craft the right set of courses based on each students’ needs and goals.

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-411Policy Fluency: Current Issues in Education3-4
X.EDUC-441Fostering a Collaborative Culture for Learning2
X.EDUC-455Outreach and Advocacy for Educational Change4

Global and Intercultural Education Institute

The Global and Intercultural Education Institute caters to people working in the context of educational institutions, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, cross-sector partnerships, and community outreach projects. Courses in the institute equip participants with the tools to: build their own cultural competency, adapt pedagogies and resources to be more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds, support intercultural education and advocacy, and enhance diversity and equity through their work.

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Independent Schools Institute

This program is specially designed for full-time educators working in independent schools who want to enhance their teaching and prepare for leadership roles. The program has two tracks: one for early career teachers and the other for teacher leaders ready for new professional growth.

Courses can be taken in online, hybrid, on-campus and accelerated formats to provide flexible options for busy professionals.

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-419Independent Schools: New Teachers Seminar2
X.EDUC-429Using Art for Educational Advancement2
X.EDUC-452ACTopics in Social-Emotional Learning and Development: 'Advising and Counseling Students Beyond the Classroom'2
X.EDUC-452ATTopics in Social-Emotional Learning and Development: 'Coaching and Athletics'2
X.EDUC-459Independent Schools: Experienced Teachers Seminar Practice2
X.EDUC-476Independent School: Beyond the Classroom2
X.EDUC-477Seminar on Effective Teaching and Learning Strategies for Practitioners4

See also

Developing Mathematical Ideas (DMI Institutes)

DMI, a professional development curriculum for teachers, provides one-week content institutes with opportunities for participants to engage with the ideas and activities of each module in sessions led by the authors of the materials, in collaboration with educational leaders who have experience with these materials in their own practice.

Participants choose among the following DMI modules:

Mathematics (thru PaGE)
X.MATH-400Developing Mathematical Ideas: Building a System of Tens2
X.MATH-401Developing Mathematical Ideas: Making Meaning for Operations2
X.MATH-407Developing Mathematical Ideas: Reasoning Algebraically About Operations2

See Also

Math Coaching Institute

This institute is aimed at any math coach, math specialist, or teacher leader looking to develop the craft in supporting adult learners through a math coaching model. This is an intensive professional learning opportunity that is scalable depending on the needs and experience of the participants. Experienced facilitators customize the experience to target the specific needs and interests of leaders who want to support the improvement of math instruction in their schools and/or districts. This institute is available with both on-campus and online options.

Courses

Math Education (thru PaGE)
X.MTHED-408Professional Development for Coaching Mathematics2

See Also

Related Course

DMI Facilitation Institute

This one-week facilitation institute is designed to assist teacher leaders in developing skills and knowledge for leading DMI seminars at their own sites. Prior experience with one of our DMI seminars is preferred. Interested students should contact the Mathematics Leadership Programs Director.

Courses

See Also

Nonprofit Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Educators Institute

The focus of the Nonprofit Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Educators Institute is on supporting nonprofit and entrepreneurial leaders from a range of contexts, including schools, in non-profit/public service outreach and advocacy campaigns, and where education is used to support initiatives like public health, community development, environmental stewardship, equitable justice, ending poverty, global citizenship, or peace and reconciliation. With professional development as well as organizational development coursework, there is a pathway to support students' growth whether the goal is honing professional practice, supporting innovation and growth within an organization, developing new programming, developing partnerships and engaging the community more effectively, or creating altogether new organizations.  

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Research and Data Institute

The Research and Data Institute engages educators in building skills and knowledge that will help them: create research that is applicable to their schools and classrooms, use data to improve student outcomes, and explore issues of equity and social justice in the educational context. Each class includes unique opportunity for participants to video-conference with teacher leaders and experts across the nation.

Courses

This institute is comprised of three graduate level courses:

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-413Leading Colleagues Using Research: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice2
X.EDUC-458Owning Assessments and Data for Student Learning2
Math Education (thru PaGE)
X.MTHED-465From Theory to Practice: The Learning and Teaching of Mathematics4
X.MTHED-466Advocacy Through Math Teacher Leadership4

TESOL Certificate for Educators

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL, is the professional qualification for teaching English as a second or foreign language. Recognized internationally, this certification prepares teachers with the tools to evaluate and apply the most effective methods for individual learners.

This two-course program is designed to provide participants with a foundation of practical pedagogy, linguistic knowledge, and classroom experience to prepare for a job as a language instructor in an international environment. Participants will develop a teaching portfolio for use in their job search and receive a certificate of completion with a passing grade.

Some TESOL graduates have gone off to teach in places such as China, Morocco, or Thailand, but others have stayed in the United States to teach English to recently arrived immigrant families.

Courses

 

Independent Schools Mentoring Institute

Working at an independent school requires a unique set of skills and dispositions. Mentors play a critical role in supporting teacher retention in the “triple threat” (teaching, advising, coaching) challenges facing independent school faculty. The best mentors foster practical skills that drive instructional innovation and possess the leadership dispositions to foster educator resilience.

Our certificate program supports educators in becoming effective and emotionally intelligent leaders and mentors for the next generation of independent school educators.

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-427Practicum 1: Professional Development and Mentoring3
X.EDUC-429Using Art for Educational Advancement2
X.EDUC-437Advanced Practicum: Professional Development and Mentoring2
X.EDUC-441Fostering a Collaborative Culture for Learning2
X.EDUC-456Promoting Professional Learning2
X.EDUC-457Personal and Professional Leadership in Education1
X.EDUC-467Coaching, Mentoring, and Facilitating Instructional Improvements2

Instructional Coaching and Leadership Institute

Instructional coaches and mentors play a vital role in improving academic outcomes for students, fostering a positive school climate, and enhancing a school’s professional culture. The best coaches possess practical skills that drive instructional improvements and leadership dispositions to foster educator resilience.

The Instructional Coaching and Leadership Institute is a one-year, cohort-based, program designed to equip teachers, instructional coaches, and mentors with the skills and dispositions needed to support colleagues and facilitate professional development on best practices in distance learning, equitable pedagogy, and emotional resilience.

Courses

Students may choose from the following courses:

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-427Practicum 1: Professional Development and Mentoring3
X.EDUC-437Advanced Practicum: Professional Development and Mentoring2
X.EDUC-441Fostering a Collaborative Culture for Learning2
X.EDUC-456Promoting Professional Learning2
X.EDUC-457Personal and Professional Leadership in Education1
X.EDUC-467Coaching, Mentoring, and Facilitating Instructional Improvements2

Social Justice and Advocacy Institute

The Social Justice and Advocacy Institute is a two-part exploration on how to incorporate culturally responsive teaching approaches and strategies in the classroom as well as with colleagues and parents.

Courses

This institute is comprised of two graduate level courses:

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-449Equity and Social Justice: A Teacher's Role2
X.EDUC-455Outreach and Advocacy for Educational Change4

Social and Emotional Learning and Development

Courses

Education (thru PaGE)
X.EDUC-450Social-Emotional Learning and Development: Foundations of Social, Emotional, and Academic Development2
X.EDUC-451Social-Emotional Learning and Development: Pedagogy and Practice2
X.EDUC-466Social-Emotional Learning and Development: Instructional Coaching And Mentoring2