Name: Thomas Reid

Hometown: York, Maine

Program: MAT-Social Studies

What drew you to the MAT Program at Brown?

I was drawn to the MAT program at Brown because I saw it as a place where I could learn to be a reflective and justice-oriented educator. I was particularly drawn to the small, cohort-based vibe, the integration of theory with practice through the year-long student teaching placement, and the emphasis on culturally responsive teaching, which has been threaded into every aspect of the program.

What has been your favorite MAT class and why?

My favorite class thus far has probably been the “methods” course we took over the summer. The learning that happened for me in that class about the nuts and bolts of teaching–especially project-based learning and lesson/unit planning–was just immense. I’m in the social studies cohort, and the community we built with each other was also really beautiful. 

Where are you student-teaching? What do you like about it?

I’m doing my student-teaching at Paul Cuffee, a public charter high school on the South Side of Providence. A lot of the kids at Paul Cuffee have been in school together since they were little, so the community there is really strong. I appreciate the joy, humor, and brilliance that the kids bring in, as well as the fact that it’s a smaller school that values relationship-building.

What is your favorite part about living in Providence and being at Brown?

It’s cute! My partner and I relocated from Boston, so it’s been nice to be in a smaller city. We live in Wayland Square right now, which is within walking distance from Brown. I love walking by the river with my dog, and there are a lot of great restaurants to explore here.

What are your future goals as an educator?

After the program, I’d like to get a job as a history or humanities teacher and just continue to learn the craft. bell hooks says that education is the practice of freedom. As a white person, a queer person, a person from a small town in Maine, I hope to learn what that means and looks like for me and my students and to find joy in the work along the way.