Advance your education in any field with the LEAP to Teacher Program serving all school and daycare workers. Open the door to your future!
What is the LTT Program?
LTT offers a free, specialized set of support services to all school and daycare workers, helping them pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree or a certificate program in teaching or any field of study. In partnership with the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) and several participating CUNY colleges, LTT is available across New York City at the following CUNY campuses: BMCC, Bronx Community College, Brooklyn College, College of Staten Island, the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (non-teaching degrees), Lehman College , Medgar Evers, Queens College and New York City College of Technology (City Tech).
Mission: The LTT’s mission is to empower participants to become more effective in their schools/daycare and more impactful in their communities.
Contact
Jonathan Rubin
LEAP To Teacher Program Manager
LTT@slu.cuny.edu
646-313-8532
Prospective Students
Learn more about the LTT program and its services, attend one of our monthly LTT open house sessions or fill out the inquiry form, and our program specialists will contact you to set up a zoom or in-person meeting.
Eligibility
To be part of the LTT program and receive free services, you must be:
- Employed in a public, charter, or private school or licensed daycare setting that serves students from birth through grade 12.
Note: After-school staff working for non-profit organizations and employees of small private specialty schools (like dance, art, music or sport schools) are not eligible. - Enrolled or interested in applying to an undergraduate or graduate program at one of the LTT partnering CUNY colleges
What Does LTT Offer?
All support services are free and designed for adult learners returning to school to advance their careers or achieve personal growth. These services are offered from preadmission to graduation.
College Entrance Support
- College preparation classes
- Pre-admission advisement
- ESOL College preparation class
College and Career Support
- Academic advisement from admission to graduation
- Tutoring, writing support, workshops
- Career advisement
- Professional Development with CTLE Hours
Funding College
- SLU LEAP to Teacher Scholarship: (should have a hyperlink to the Scholarship PDF) This scholarship assists school and daycare workers complete their graduate degree and is available to graduate students admitted to and enrolled in a teacher shortage area at one of the LEAP to Teacher partner CUNY colleges.
- Assistance with financial aid and grant opportunities.
- Information on DOE vouchers and reimbursement programs and union educational benefits.
Workshops and Courses
- Student Success Workshops
This series of online workshops introduces LTT students to study skills and provides writing improvement tips. Here are some of the topics covered in the workshops: 1) Classroom skills and note taking 2) Reading Difficult Text 3) Drafting Strategies (4) Paraphrasing/Summarizing (5) APA/MLA Citations (6) Revision Strategies 7) Introductions and Conclusions 8) Time Management 9) How To Boost your GPA 10) Applying A.I. Tools for Academic Support. Please contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
These exam preparation workshops focus on the strategies needed to succeed on the Multi-Subject Tests for Birth–Grade 6. Participants will review the overall exam format across all sections, including Math, Literacy and English Language Arts (multiple-choice and constructed responses), as well as Arts and Sciences. The session also offers practical test-taking strategies, tips, and helpful resources to support success on the exams.
This 3-hour Educating All Students (EAS) exam preparation workshop focuses on building the skills needed to teach diverse student populations. Participants will learn effective strategies for approaching multiple-choice questions, developing strong constructed responses, and applying proven test-taking techniques and additional helpful resources to support success on the exam.
This free non-credit course is a 32-hour online refresher course (eight 4-hour sessions) which is open only to LEAP to Teacher students. The course covers all required mathematics competencies for a NY State certified elementary teacher. Running consecutively on eight Saturdays, participants learn the importance of becoming an effective problem-solver, identifying common math misconceptions and how to teach math effectively.
- Students who complete this course are eligible to earn 20 CTLE credit hours.
This course is also helpful for students seeking certification in childhood education in the state of New York to prepare them to pass the math section of Childhood Education Multi-Subject Content Specialty Test.
Check out our Math for Elementary Educators.
Please contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
This three-hour workshop provides a focused overview of the SWD-CST exam, including its format, objectives, and key competencies. Participants will review sample questions, explore IEPs and disability classifications, and strengthen their skills in analyzing and responding to constructed-response items. The session also offers practical test-taking strategies, tips, and helpful resources to support success on the test.
Special Education Essentials: A Comprehensive Review and Refresher Series This virtual refresher course comprises a six-week series of workshops that delve into the required NYS competencies for certified teachers working with students with disabilities. The sessions will thoroughly cover topics such as the foundations of Special Education, the 13 classifications of students with IEPs, utilizing assessments to guide instructional planning, and implementing research-based strategies to ensure student success across various placements. Through a case study approach, participants will engage in the analysis, synthesis, and application of content from each session.Completion of this workshop series qualifies participants to earn 12 CTLE credit hours. Additionally, this course serves as valuable preparation for students pursuing certification in Special Education in New York State, aiding them in successfully passing the Content Specialty Test for Students with Disabilities: SWT-CST (06) test.
This workshop is offered in partnership with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), providing an overview of how to become a NYC Department of Education paraprofessional while exploring long-term career pathways in education. Participants will learn about the paraprofessional role, including eligibility, hiring steps, and union benefits, and will be introduced to LEAP to Teacher, a free support program that helps school and daycare workers advance their education and career.
This six-week exam preparation workshop is designed for students seeking New York State Teaching Assistant Certification. The program prepares participants for the NYS ATAS exam, with priority admission given to current CUNY students majoring in Education.
- New York State Mandatory Training for Educators
SLU is a New York State–approved provider. Upon completion of each training, participants will receive a certificate on their TEACH account. Contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
This required SAVE Project training covers the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act. The course explores strategies to create safe, supportive, and positive school environments.
This three-hour required training on recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and maltreatment. Participants will learn to identify physical and behavioral signs of abuse, understand their legal responsibilities as mandated reporters, and follow the proper reporting process.
This 6-hour required DASA training provides an overview of New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) and focuses on preventing bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Participants learn strategies to create safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students.
This 3-hour course provides a foundational understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and effective, evidence-based strategies to support students with autism. Participants will explore key characteristics of ASD and learn approaches to create supportive learning environments and strengthen school–family collaboration.
This 32-hour online course reviews key New York State math competencies for teachers in daycare and elementary settings. It focuses on problem-solving, common misconceptions, and effective teaching strategies. Participants who complete the course may earn 20 CTLE credits. The course also supports preparation for the math sections of the Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education Multi-Subject Content Specialty Tests. LTT students receive priority admission.
This 18- hour virtual refresher series reviews the key NY State competencies for teachers working with Students with Disabilities, including foundations of special education, the 13 classifications of students with IEPs, assessment-based instruction, and research-based strategies. Participants apply learning through case studies. Completion earns 12 CTLE hours and supports preparation for the Students with Disabilities CST (SWT-CST 060).
Video Testimonials
Angela Cove, Queens College
Norma Osorio, BMCC
Sheila Rebatta, Lehman College
Lisa, College of Staten Island
Join LTT at one of these colleges:
Historical Background
LEAP to Teacher (LTT) was established in the mid-1990s to support UFT para-educators attending Queens College. It originated within the Queens College Worker Education Labor Education and Advancement Project (LEAP), founded in 1984 to address labor issues within CUNY and develop future labor leaders.
In 2006, LEAP evolved into the Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies, expanding its reach across CUNY. The Institute later became the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies in 2018. Through each of these transitions, LTT has remained dedicated to providing a flexible, adult-friendly learning environment tailored to the needs of working students and union members.
For more information, attend a monthly open house, or fill out an inquiry form, or contact a site coordinator to schedule an appointment.