How do I apply to the NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program?

(1)  Please download and complete the NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship application (attached below). 

(2)  Compile the following documents and send them to:

Kym Welty, Program Coordinator, NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship, Center for University School & Community Partnerships, 200 Mill Road, Suite 150C, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Application materials include:

• Completed and signed NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship application

• A typed personal statement of at least 250 words explaining why you would like to teach math or science in a middle or high school in a high-need, urban school district

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) indicating work and education experience

• Two letters of recommendation (download two copies of the Letter of Recommendation cover sheet below):
  • One from a professor in the applicant's field of study
  • One from someone who can comment on how the applicant works with children/youth. If the applicant does not have any experience teaching/coaching/tutoring or in any other way working with kids, they can choose who writes the second letter of recommendation.

• Official sealed copy of college transcript with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement should still considering applying.  Members of the Selection Committee would like to see your overall application, including your essay and your letters of recommendation before they make their final determinations.  They have been known to be flexible with certain cases.  Please speak directly with Kym for more details if you are concerned about the GPA requirement.  

        Optional Documents for the application packet:

• A short video clip of the applicant in a teaching role, on a DVD

(3)  In addition to applying directly for the Noyce Scholarship, you should also apply to the Graduate Admissions Office for the MAT-I program of your choice.  The Graduate Admissions Office is requesting that ALL applications be completed on line 

• Click on the link above (applications be completed on line) and READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY before beginning your online application process.

• Please see the last three bulleted options at the bottom of the application screen and choose Teaching - MAT. 

• On the first page of the application, you will be asked for supplemental information.  The last question on this page (#10 -- "If you have any specific information that would help us understand your application better,please provide it via the following comment box:") In that comment box, you MUST specify that you are applying to "NSF Robert Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program" and you should also specify which MAT-I program you are applying to: "TEACH! UrbanSouth", "NSF TEACH! SouthCoast" or "Teaching & Learning Department".

• Application fee:  $50.00 payable to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth during the online application

(4)  Compile the following documents (in addition to the documents sent for the Noyce application) and mail them to:

Office of Graduate Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA, 02747-2300

• An updated professional resume

• Required essay
  • Typed personal statement of at least 250 words explaining why you would like to teach math or science in a middle or high school in a high-need, urban school district

• MTEL program exam scores
  • Reports from both the Communications and Literacy Skills Test and Subject Matter Knowledge Test
  • Have you taken and passed two MTEL program exams yet?  For support in passing the MTELs, please see below

• Two recent letters of recommendation
  • One from a professor in the applicant's field of study
  • One from someone who can comment on how the applicant works with children/youth. If the applicant does not have any experience teaching/coaching/tutoring or in any other way working with kids, they can choose who writes the second letter of recommendation.

• Proof of a completed bachelor's degree
  • An official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from an accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement should still considering applying.  Members of the Selection Committee would like to see your overall application, including your essay and your letters of recommendation before they make their final determinations.  They have been known to be flexible with certain cases.  Please speak directly with Kym for more details if you are concerned about the GPA requirement.

NSF Robert Noyce Scholarship Program application materials are due by Friday, February 24, 2012.  Once your applications materials have been received and reviewed, you will be contacted by Kym Welty, Program Coordinator, to arrange an interview with the Selection Committee.

How do I begin to prepare for the two mandatory Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) exams if I have not passed them yet?

For middle and high school initial licensure candidates, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires passing scores on TWO of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure, also known as the MTELs.  Applicants to UMass Dartmouth's initial licensure programs must submit evidence of their passing scores in the application packet. 

All applicants must earn a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills exam:

• Communications and Literacy Skills:
  • Reading Practice Test
  • Writing Practice Test
  • Other test preparation materials may be available at your local book store or at an online bookstore such as Amazon.com

All applicants must earn a passing score on ONE Subject Matter Knowledge exam.  The SMK exam that you choose to take will be the one that is directly related to the content area that you wish to teach and earn your license in. 

• Subject Matter Knowledge Practice Exam Information
• Other test preparation materials may be available at your local book store or at an online bookstore such as Amazon.com

Your first step in preparing for one or both of the MTELs should be to take (at home or in a very quiet, private location) a timed "practice test."  In addition, you will certainly benefit from understanding the test objectives prior to taking your first practice test.

Once you complete this exam and grade it for yourself, you will immediately see which areas of knowledge and skills you are most strong in and which areas you clearly need a "refresher" course in.  You now have a "study plan" in front of you!

How can I get additional assistance in passing these exams if the "test prep books" are not enough?

UMass Dartmouth, along with our neighboring CONNECT Partnership institutions, offers "test preparation" classes that many candidates prefer to take with a group of students, versus studying in isolation with the test preparation books.

For the Communication and Literacy Skills exam, you can sign up for a "test prep" class at the following CONNECT Partnership institutions and others:

• UMass Dartmouth PCE MTEL Information
• Bridgewater State University MTEL Information
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) - List of MTEL Preparation Programs

For the Subject Matter Knowledge exam, if you feel that you simply need a quick "refresher" class in the content area, you can sign up for a "test prep" class at the following CONNECT Partnership institutions:

• Bridgewater State University MTEL Welcome page

If you realize that you would greatly benefit from a full "refresher course" in the content area, we highly encourage applicants to take a strong, but basic course at one of our CONNECT Partnership institutions:

• Bristol Community College (in Fall River)
• Cape Cod Community College (in Barnstable)
• Massasoit Community College (in Brockton)