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The art of teaching is inseparable

from the art of living.

–Katharine Taylor,

Teacher Training Course Founder

& first Director of Shady Hill School

Life inside Shady Hill School
The art of teaching
When she began the Shady Hill Teacher Training Course in 1928, Katharine Taylor knew what went into the making of a great teacher: more than mastery of educational theory, more even than teaching experience in the classroom. Instead, she asserted, “The human being’s learning takes place in and through all his experiences and in all his relationships.” All of life, with all its variables and intangibles, goes into the making of a great teacher.
The art of living
As an aspiring teacher, you are the sum of every EXPERIENCE
idea,
moment,
question,
UNDERSTANDING,
interaction,
and INSPIRATION that leads up to each day in your classroom.
And so, as an apprentice teacher at Shady Hill, you engage in a learning experience about your whole self.
In the classroom or at a faculty lunch table, in sidewalk conversations or in apprentice seminars— learning in context is at the core of who we are and how we learn at Shady Hill. We engage our students, our teachers, and our apprentice teachers alike in this fundamentally different, immersive adventure.
TEACHER TRAINING CERTIFICATE
semester I
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE AT SHADY HILL WITH DIRECTING TEACHER

WEEKLY SEMINARS

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
semester II
CHOICE OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE AT SHADY HILL OR WITH ONE OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL PARTNERS

WEEKLY SEMINARS

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
certificate
EARN AN INITIAL LICENSE FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY, OR MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION

IF ENROLLED IN LESLEY UNIVERSITY’S GRADUATE PROGRAM, EARN COURSE CREDITS TOWARD A MASTER’S DEGREE
SECTION No. 1
BEGINNING
the art of learning
in context

The context of classroom and community

as an apprentice teacher, you become a fully integrated member of our school community—attending faculty meetings, weekly seminars and workshops, building relationships with parents and students, observing and instructing alongside your mentor teacher throughout the year. Learning happens everywhere—in expected and unexpected ways—at Shady Hill and in the public schools with which we partner.

The context of your self

in the ttc, you learn about yourself as an individual. In discovering the complexities of your identity, you learn to appreciate the multi-dimensional qualities of the students you teach. Throughout your time at Shady Hill, you gain valuable insight into the individualities of your students and into the process of how different people connect with knowledge in different ways.

The context of life’s unknowns

Mastering the art of teaching is a lifelong process of learning for both apprentices and mentor teachers. We create an environment where every Shady Hill student, no matter their age, approaches life and learning with intellectual bravery, seeking to constantly grow, to discover and analyze, to imagine and expand their perspective.

SECTION No. 2
EXPLORING
the art of learning
who you are as a teacher
Teaching is who I am
Gaining classroom experience

Through the wisdom of your mentors

throughout your year as an apprentice, you work directly with two
different mentor teachers specifically chosen to guide you on this journey.

Alongside inspiring colleagues

as part of an intentionally dynamic and diverse cohort,
you collaborate closely with peers of all ages, races, professions, backgrounds, and
interests—sharing ideas, wisdom, lesson plans, and experiences.

While honing your passion & vision

Each apprentice arrives at Shady Hill with unique abilities and skills. Alongside mentors and
peers who guide and encourage your explorations, you find your specific passions and begin
developing your vision for yourself as a teacher, as an ever-evolving learner, and as an
individual. And most of all, you start thinking about what lies ahead.

SECTION No. 3
EMBARKING
a fulfilling & joyful future
The art of teaching
Our TTC alumni go on to have extraordinary and fulfilling careers in education.
No matter where your journey takes you, you step forward as more than another good teacher.
You begin BUILDING your future with joy and optimism as a FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT type of educator,
ready for whatever comes next.
Developing teacher leaders
Interactive gallery of alumni
Terris King
TTC ’10

Teaches kindergarten at Shanghai American School in Shanghai, China.
Hillary Green
TTC ’11

Doctoral Student, University of Michigan
Elizabeth Lee Chung
TTC ’02, teacher of the year 2015

English Teacher at Centennial High School, Howard County, Maryland. “I will always remember how you were the driving force to prepare me to become a better teacher. Through the carefully selected seminar topics and discussion questions, I learned to be mindful about my role as the classroom teacher. Your copious notes and suggestions during my observations allowed me to improve my pedagogy skills. I honestly could not have reached this far without the preparation from TTC.”
Amy Rothschild
TTC ’11

Kindergarten Teacher, Capitol Hill Day School, Washington, DC
Where will you go from here? APPLY