The Murphy Institute’s LEAP to Teacher program (LTT) at Lehman College provides a wide range of free support services to help our participants succeed academically and to accomplish their career objectives. The LEAP to Teacher program was started in conjunction with the Department of Education, the United Federation of Teachers and the City University of New York. Keep in mind, however, that you do not have to be pursuing a teaching career to participate in this program. A career change is another option to consider as you plan to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; we can serve as your support system to accomplish your goals.
Contact
Site Coordinator
Pablo Perez
pablo.perez@slu.cuny.edu
Call/Text: 201-839-0054
250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
Carman Hall, Room B54
Bronx, NY 10468
Prospective Students
- To learn more about the LTT program and its services, attend one of our monthly LTT open house sessions.
- Fill out the inquiry form, and our program specialists will contact you to set up a zoom or in-person meeting to answer your questions.
Academic Programs
Since many paraprofessionals who chose to pursue their education want to remain in the education field, some of our most popular programs and courses are focused in this area. Lehman College has made a strong commitment to the success of our education students as future teachers through the Lehman Urban Transformative Education (LUTE) initiative.
Lehman College offers the Adult Degree Program designed for adult learners. Paraprofessionals can take advantage of this opportunity to obtain their degree.
Selecting a Field of Study
Choosing a program can be overwhelming. Here is where your LTT Site Coordinator can step in to provide much-needed guidance and direction to make this difficult and critically important decision. Your academic and career journey you with your Leap To Teacher Site Coordinator will start well before the admission process begins and may continue years after you obtain your degree(s).
Undergraduate Studies
Although Lehman College does not offer an undergraduate degree in Education, you may earn your bachelor’s degree in another discipline and apply to the graduate programs in Education at Lehman College.
Graduate Studies
Lehman College has over 20 graduate and advanced graduate educator preparation programs leading to professional certification. One of the most popular Master’s programs is Dual General and Bilingual Special Education (Early Childhood or Childhood). This 48 credit course addresses the shortage of teachers in identified high-needs areas.
Keep in mind that switching to other career field is always an option for our LTT participants. For example, Nursing and Social Work are two of the most popular undergraduate and graduate level programs but there are many more to choose from.
Paraprofessional applicants with a grade-point average between 2.75-3.0 who are interested in childhood special education or early childhood special education may be eligible to apply to Lehman College via the Graduate Application for Non-Degree Admission.
Students who do not intend to be matriculated or complete a teacher preparation program must apply as non-degree students to only take education courses to seek New York State certification through specified pathways. Visit Lehman College’s Graduate Admissions page for more information.
If you would like more information regarding the LEAP to Teacher program, please feel free to RSVP to one of the upcoming open house sessions.
LTT Frequently Asked Questions – Answers to most common questions regarding eligibility, program availability and more.
LTT Academic and Career Support
The LEAP to Teacher program provides a full range of support services to undergraduate and graduate students. These services may include:
- Assisting with the admission and registration process to Lehman College
- Offering pre-admission services such as: essays/personal statement preparation
- Free College Preparation Program
- Ongoing advisement to students to ensure that their college experience is positive and rewarding
- Assisting with special opportunities including: scholarships, D.O.E Career Training Program (CTP) vouchers and tuition reimbursement initiatives and financial assistance .
- Academic writing support service and assisting with assignment comprehension and writing improvement. LEAP to Teacher students can contact Dr. Michael Shapiro, the LTT Writing Consultant by emailing shapiro@lehman,cuny.edu to make an appointment for the writing support.
- Information about NYS requirements for teacher certification and free NYS teacher certification exam preparation workshops and
- Information about NYCDOE Paraprofessional Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program
- Career advisement and assistance with preparing resumes, cover letter, essays, applications
- Networking with alumni to provide career opportunities.
- Assisting with Teacher job search
- Sharing professional development opportunities
Workshops and Courses
The LEAP to Teacher program offers a variety of free noncredit courses and workshops designed to enhance students’ skills to pass different certification exams and provide an opportunity to complete some NY State mandatory training for educators.
Writing Improvement Workshops
This 8 session workshop focuses on the ‘micro’ or technical aspects of the writing experience, what is commonly called writing mechanics. It does not directly address how to plan, organize and develop large-scale written compositions such as research papers, essays and reports of various kinds. Rather, it concentrates on individual words, phrases and sentences. During this workshop, we will pay very close attention to “nuts and bolts” writing elements such as grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. To apply for this course, please contact your Site Coordinator to complete an application.
Embedded Tutoring
The embedded writing support program was designed to improve the writing skills of LTT students to improve their writing skills and better prepare them to pass the teacher certification exams.in designated graduate courses recommended by the Dean and Faculty.The writing specialist works closely with the faculty member teaching the course to be familiar with the course content and assignments. The writing tutor would be in all classes and available to students during class and throughout the week. Individual tutoring sessions focus primarily on writing to the prompt and encouraging students to develop their ideas more fully. Student receive support in revision and understanding that multiple drafts were required to arrive at fully developed prose. The mechanics of grammar and style are addressed when issues came up within their own writing. At the end of each tutoring session, students design approximate plans of action for the coming weeks.
New York State Teaching Assistant Certification Exam Preparation Workshop – Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS)
The Murphy Institute’s LEAP to Teacher Program offers a free 6-week exam preparation workshop for CUNY students who have over 40 credits interested in obtaining the NY. State Teaching Assistant Certification and becoming a Teacher Assistant/ Teaching Paraprofessional to provide direct instructional services to students under the general supervision of a certified teacher. The workshop prepares students for taking the New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills Test (NYS-ATAS), the required test for getting the teaching assistant certification. For more information, please contact ltt@slu.cuny.edu
Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Training
Under the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, The Murphy Institute’s LEAP to Teacher Program is an approved NY State DASA Training Provider. The 6-hour training will address the training for harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention in schools. After satisfying the requirements, students will receive their DASA certification on their TEACH account. For more information, please contact ltt@slu.cuny.edu
NY State Teacher Certification Exam Preparation Workshops
NY Teacher Certification Exam Preparation Workshops – Master test taking study strategies for the CST: Combined Early Childhood & Childhood Multi-Subject Test and EAS: Educating All Students.
The Combined Early Childhood & Childhood Multi-Subject (CST) exam preparation workshop focuses on the strategies required to be successful in the multi subject specialty test for grades K- 6th. This workshop will cover the overall exam format for Literacy and English Language Arts (Multiple choice and constructed written response), and Arts and Sciences.
The Educating All Students (EAS) exam preparation workshop focuses on the skills needed to effectively teach diverse populations. The workshop covers the following topics: Techniques to approach various multiple choice questions, constructing an effective constructed written response and test-taking strategies.
Mathematics for Elementary Educators (MFEE)
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
Math Connection Conference (Spring Semesters Only)
As a collaborative effort, the LEAP to Teacher Program and the School of Education at CSI organize the annual Mathematics Connection Conference every May. The conference offers a wide variety of interactive presentations, panel discussions, and activities for children, specially designed for teachers and educational students.
Please contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
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) Revisions strategies; 7) Introductions and Conclusions, 8) Time management
Please contact your LTT coordinator to get more information or email ltt@slu.cuny.edu
Notes from Students & Alumni
The benefit that LTT provides to their students is incomparable to any other institution. LTT provides great academic support to all students, in order to help them achieve their goals.
– Mayra Castillo, Lehman College
When I learned about the Leap to Teacher program, I said to myself “OMG. This is exactly what I need.” This program guided me through my education process. On many occasions, as students, we struggle because of the lack of information or skills. The LTT program provided me with the information and support I need to succeed in my career. I feel so fortunate for the encouragement and support, not only from the Leap to Teacher program at Lehman College, but also the writing courses and workshops offered at the Murphy Institute. Without their support, I don’t think I would have got this far. Right now, I’m pursuing my Masters in Special Education with a Bilingual Extension and I feel confident that I will reach my goal, thanks to the support of LTT program.
– Belkis Rodriguez