Hallelujah, the MTEL Gods Have Spoken!

Hours of grueling studying. Endless nightmares. Dead trees. Broken pencils. Chocolate.
What do all of these items have in common you ask? They are typical symptoms of the MTEL study cycle, and they will become your close friends.

what’s an MTEL?
MTEL stands for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure; a series of three tests, all education majors must pass their MTELs ideally before the spring semester of their junior year. The purpose: basically, to make sure you are prepared and know what you’re talking about before you get into the field. These tests can be pretty intimidating, like an SAT but on a much larger scale. However, with some honest studying and confidence, you’ll pass no problem!

All education students are required by the state of Massachusetts to pass the Communications and Literacy MTEL (a test focusing on basic communication skills with writing and reading subtests). I took this test in January for the first time and just found out that I PASSED! It was such a relief knowing that I have one of three under my belt, just two more to go! However, I understand it can be disappointing, as well as costly, to hear that the qualifying scores were not met, but don’t be discouraged. MTELs can be taken as many times as needed to pass.

The next elementary education MTEL I will be taking this summer is the General Curriculum test [it consists of two subtests: the multi-subject subtest (language arts, history and social science, and science and technology/engineering) and the mathematics subtest]. Personally, I’m nervous about passing this test because like I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve recently switched my major to education. The problem is I’m missing a couple key courses that are needed to pass this test, so I’ll need to teach myself a bit before I can successfully take it.

After General Curriculum, I will be taking the final MTEL, Fundamentals of Reading, which is required for teachers focusing on education between kindergarten and sixth grade.

carpe diem.
Despite the long hours of studying material, stressing about the test day, emptying out Bay Path printers with practice test sheets and timing yourself… chocolate will be there to get you through! Indulge yourself, you deserve it for all that hard work! 

College is certainly about having fun, making new friends and discovering who you are as a young adult. The truth is, as a student, you’re here to learn how to become successful in your future career. MTELs are definitely a pain, but if Education is the right fit for you, they’re worth the stress to get to your ultimate goal. And just remember, any teacher you have ever had in the past has passed these tests! Piece of cake. (And yes, when don’t I have food on my mind?)

For all the information you ever wanted to know about MTELs, visit the official site at http://www.mtel.nesinc.com.