Graduate School of Education

Preparing Educators to Become Changemakers and Lifelong Learners

Lesley’s Graduate School of Education has earned a reputation as New England’s most respected provider of teacher preparation programs. Whether you’re thinking about becoming a teacher or are already teaching, we offer programs that ensure you’ll be the best teacher you can be.

We integrate arts, literacy, technology, and strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners into all of our programs. By studying here, you'll learn not only what to teach, but how to teach. We prepare you to anticipate the evolving needs of PreK-12 students through practical approaches, field-based experiences, and ongoing feedback and support.

With small classes and a collaborative environment, you’ll become a vital member of our learning community. And as a Lesley graduate, you’ll join an extensive network of alumni educators who are making a difference in students’ lives across the country and around the world.

art teacher showing a student photo negatives

Fall 2019 Professional Learning Opportunities

Our Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) has an array of institutes and workshops for this fall that are designed to enrich your teaching and learning. Explore the list and register for professional development points (PDPs) or graduate credit. Civics, arts, poetry, restorative justice, and more. See what CAPS has to offer.

Three Civics and Democracy institutes cover: the three branches of government; the fault lines and remedies in the 'controversial constitution;' and the ins and outs of presidential elections. The Language of Poetry institute gives practical ideas for teaching poetry using "Teach this Poem" (from the Academy of American Poets). In the Integrated Arts Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms institute, you'll discover how arts integration in the classroom can enhance how students learn. An Introduction to Restorative Justice workshop introduces you to strategies for responding to harm in a restorative way. Learn more and register.

Professional Development Centers

Center for Reading Recovery and
Literacy Collaborative

Headed by literacy expert and author Irene Fountas, the center is a national leader in literacy research, professional development, and school programs for grades PreK–8. We run workshops, institutes, and courses in Cambridge and in school districts, as well as the annual Literacy for All Conference.

Learn more about the Center for Reading Recovery.

Center for Inclusive and Special Education

The Center for Inclusive and Special Education is dedicated to supporting educators, families, and communities in meeting the needs of all learners. We are guided by a philosophy that presumes the competence of all people in their different ways of knowing, learning, and expressing. We are also the home to the Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity, which advances the development of trauma-sensitive learning environments.

Learn more about the Center for Inclusive and Special Education.

Center for Mathematics Achievement

We assist teachers, coaches, specialists, teacher leaders, and administrators in honing and deepening mathematics content knowledge through workshops, professional development, and consultation at school and district sites. We believe that educators who have enriched their own mathematical content knowledge are better equipped to provide more effective mathematics opportunities for their students.

Learn more about the Center for Math Achievement.

STEAM Learning Lab

The STEAM Learning Lab provides a new way for our students and community partners to engage in inquiry-based exploration. It's a space where students can come together to imagine, build, and invent.

Learn more about the STEAM Learning Lab.

Center for Advanced Professional Studies

The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) serves educators throughout their careers by providing professional development that addresses critical content areas in teaching and learning.

Learn more about the Center for Advanced Professional Studies.

Teacher and students in the classroom, reading a book on the floor

Teacher Residency Programs

Earn a Master of Education degree and an Initial teaching license in just over a year of full-time work and study in a residency program at a participating Massachusetts school.

WGBH

Graduate student Natalie Ornell, inspired by Rosa Parks, encouraged Massachusetts to support a law that requires MBTA buses to carry a decal honoring the civil rights icon.

Alumnus receives principal’s award

Craig Martin recognized as National Distinguished Principal from Massachusetts

A memoir of family and the Holocaust

Caroline Heller's memoir explores not only her family's experiences during World War II, but also how the Holocaust affected her as the child of a concentration camp survivor.

Listen to Caroline Heller's podcast interview

CBS Boston

Professor Emerita Nancy Carlsson-Paige discusses her research on the impact screen time has on children's brains.

classroom teacher with students at table

Lesley's New Teacher Community

Discover how our resources and workshops for education graduates can support you during your first years in the classroom.

Learn More

Accreditation

Educator Licensure Regulations

Each state’s educator licensure regulations are subject to change. If you’re an educator looking for an endorsement or addition to your current certification/license, you should verify with the appropriate state educator licensure authority that a program meets state requirements.

vandernoot gallery during crowded opening

Parker Gallery

The John O. and Olivia Parker Gallery, located in University Hall, hosts exhibitions that amplify a wide range of voices from K–12 students to professional artists.

Visit their Facebook page

Children exploring at Mt. Auburn cemetary.

Mount Auburn Urban Ecosystem Project

Lesley and Mount Auburn Cemetery collaborate to create a model of citizen science research and education in an urban nature preserve.

Learn About Mt. Auburn Urban Ecosystem Project

Our educators to work with Brockton schools, immigrant families

Alumnae Heidi Lee, Susan Loomis-Wing, Ruth Rieffanaugh and Christine Winship exhibit in “Battle of the Sexes,” presented by the organization they co-founded to improve arts access.

University among six nonprofits benefiting from neuroscience pioneer’s $10M grant for support of science teaching.

"What makes teaching important is your impact on so many students over so many years. Everyone's had one teacher who stood out as a person who made a difference in their lives—and they remember that teacher forever."

Brenda Matthis, Associate Professor

children playing cards and learning from their teacher

6 Ways Educators Can Prevent Bullying

Think about your classroom. Now picture your students. Chances are that one out of every five has been bullied. As an educator, what can you do about it?

Learn more about preventing bullying.

Arnetha Ball smiles as she leans into the podium in the University Hall Amphitheater.

Preparing teachers who will help save the nation

Scholar Arnetha Ball challenges educators to be agents of change

Read about Lesley’s 23rd annual June Fox Lecture

Become a School Leader

Expand your reach beyond your classroom, for greater impact on both your students and your career.

teacher sits in background assisting young students as they work on a project

5 Signs You Should Be A Teacher

So you're thinking of becoming a teacher but you're not 100% ready to make the leap? These are 5 signs that teaching is the right job for you.

Learn more about being a teacher.

Thinking of Becoming a Teacher?

You'll need a number of solid skills, naturally, but here are a few traits that will be indispensable in your teaching career.

Anti-Bias Education

Through anti-bias education, early childhood educators can create learning communities that support human differences. Discover how you can foster an empathetic classroom.

Arming Teachers with Power for Change

Keeping children safe at school means more than instituting gun policies. We need to prepare educators with the compassion, knowledge, and skills they need to teach our children safely. Here are six ways.

Boston Public Schools

Boston Public Schools Principal Craig Martin is the 2018 Massachusetts Elementary Principal of the Year.

Andy Mellen studied Special Education: Severe Disabilities at Lesley University.

Andy Mellen ’17

As an adaptive learning center teacher, Andy goes above and beyond to ensure students with diverse learning needs can succeed in a general education setting.

Gov. Charlie Baker and others on hand at Huntington Theatre to honor Lesley alumna

Lesley alumna helped explore deep-sea biology, geology and archaeology with famed explorer Dr. Robert Ballard in the Pacific.

Book open to a page with an illustration of a baby.

Susan Lupone Stonis

According to Susan, it's never too soon to introduce parents to the habit of reading to their babies. That's why she co-authored "Belly Books."

Jamie Greubel Poser portrait Olympic bobsledder

Jamie Greubel Poser ’10

Bobsledder and education alum Jamie Greubel Poser aims for Olympic Gold in South Korea.

Learn more about Lesley's accreditations and state approvals.
View Teacher Education Program Outcomes.

Preparing Educators to Become Changemakers and Lifelong Learners

Fall 2019 Professional Learning Opportunities

Professional Development Centers

Center for Reading Recovery and
Literacy Collaborative