Brown University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is known for its immersive, high-impact approach to teacher preparation. We spoke with program director Katie Rieser to explore what makes the program stand out, how it prepares future educators for today’s challenges, and what students can expect from this rigorous and rewarding experience.
What makes Brown’s MAT program unique?
Several aspects set Brown’s MAT program apart. First, it seamlessly integrates higher education, research, and hands-on teaching experience. Our residency model places students in schools for the entire academic year, allowing them to deeply understand their profession.
Second, our faculty are deeply engaged—they don’t just teach courses; they also design the curriculum and personally supervise student teachers in their placements. This level of faculty involvement is rare in teacher education programs.
Lastly, we run a free summer high school program for local students called Brown Summer High School, which has been a cornerstone of our program for over 50 years. This project-based, community-centered program prioritizes students from our partner schools in Providence’s urban core. It also serves as our MAT students’ first real teaching experience, guided by experienced mentors and faculty-created curriculum.
How does the program prepare aspiring teachers for today’s educational challenges?
Our approach is rooted in a critical balance: teaching for the world as it is while envisioning the world as it should be. Today’s educators must navigate inequities, political and social challenges, and systemic barriers. We prepare our teachers to acknowledge these realities while also working toward transformative change.
From day one, we encourage our students to think about education’s role in shaping a more just society. Every aspect of our curriculum helps future teachers grapple with these tensions and develop their own teaching philosophy that blends practical skills with visionary thinking.
What can students expect from the coursework and field experiences?
Students should expect a rigorous and immersive year.
- Summer: They experience an intensive semester where they design and run a pop-up school on Brown’s campus. Working in teams, they create curriculum, lead instruction, and handle all aspects of a school environment.
- Fall: Mornings are spent in schools, building relationships with students, mentor teachers, and school communities. Afternoons focus on coursework that develops the theoretical foundation for their teaching practice.
- Spring: Students take on substantial teaching responsibilities, leading half of a mentor teacher’s classes and stepping into the full role of an educator.
What kind of mentorship and support do MAT students receive?
Support is a defining feature of our program. Each MAT student receives guidance from multiple mentors, including dedicated faculty who teach a yearlong course on educational theory and practice while also conducting six in-school observations. Students are also paired with two mentor teachers—one during the summer program and another for their full-year residency—who provide constant feedback and classroom support. In addition, faculty members, including myself, frequently visit schools to observe, offer guidance, and help students navigate challenges in their placements. This high-challenge, high-support model ensures that MAT students grow into confident, skilled educators.
What advice would you give to someone considering the program?
This program is designed for people who are deeply committed to becoming outstanding teachers. We don’t just train teachers—we train exceptional educators, much like a program that develops top-tier chefs or professional athletes.
Before applying, candidates should reflect on their own educational experiences—what served them well, what was limiting, and how those experiences shape their perspective. Our program begins with personal and interpersonal reflection to help future teachers understand diverse student experiences and build inclusive, equity-driven classrooms.
How do you see the program evolving in the coming years?
We have three key goals:
- Expand and enhance our summer high school program to serve more students in Providence and surrounding areas.
- Continue setting a national standard for high-quality teacher education that other institutions can learn from.
- Advocate for more accessible teacher education pathways to attract dedicated, high-achieving individuals to the profession.
What’s one thing you hope every MAT graduate takes away from the program?
I hope our graduates leave with a clear sense of their impact—not just in their classrooms but in the broader field of education.
Teaching isn’t just about lesson plans and grading; it’s a pathway to a more just world. Our goal is to develop educators who can articulate how their work shapes students, schools, and communities and who feel empowered to drive meaningful change through their teaching.
Discover how Brown’s MAT program can prepare you for a transformative teaching career—learn more on our website or request information now!