The Murphy Institute’s LEAP to Teacher (LTT) program at Medgar Evers College serves as a central resource for participating paraprofessionals with questions or concerns about any aspects of their learning journey at MEC. The main purpose of the LEAP to Teacher program at MEC is to enable employed paraprofessionals in the NYC Department of Education (D.O.E) to further pursue their education and advance their career. We help each student to enter and complete all degree requirements in a timely fashion and without undue stress. We have the best interest of each and every student at heart.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Studies

As a Paraprofessional or Teaching Assistant, you can continue your studies in many fields at MEC. If you are interested in teaching and becoming a certified teacher, MEC has three nationally accredited professional, career-oriented baccalaureate degree programs to provide you credentials to obtain the initial Teaching Certification and a pre-professional Associate’s degree.

School of Education Majors

  • AA Teacher Education
  • Childhood Education
  • Childhood Special Education (Dual certified in general and special Education)
  • Early Childhood Special Education (Dual certified in general and special education)

Academic Support

On-Campus LTT Services

The LEAP to Teacher program provides a full range of support services to undergraduate students. These services may include:

  • Assistance with the admission and registration process at MEC
  • One-to One advisement to ensure a positive and rewarding college experience
  • Assistance with special opportunities including: scholarships, D.O.E Career Training Program (CTP) vouchers and financial aid
  • Alumni access to valuable career opportunities

Medgar Evers College Resources
Admissions https://www.mec.cuny.edu/admissions/admissions/
Financial Aid https://www.mec.cuny.edu/admissions/financial-aid/
Registrar https://www.mec.cuny.edu/admissions/registrars-office/
Student Affairs https://www.mec.cuny.edu/student-affairs/

Off-Campus LTT Services

The LEAP to Teacher program offers a variety of free non-credit courses and workshops designed to enhance students’ math and writing skills, and to prepare them for the New York State Teachers Certification Exams.

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) is an approved DASA Training Workshop Provider and through the Murphy Institute’ s LEAP to Teacher Program offers DASA training. 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. Please visit the DASA training schedule to apply. For more information please contact LTT@slu.cuny.edu.

New York State Teaching Assistant Certification Exam Preparation Workshop

Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS)

The  Murphy’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), which is the required test for getting the teaching assistant certification. Please visit the test preparation workshops schedule to RSVP. For more information please contact LTT@slu.cuny.edu.

Educating All Students (EAS)

The EAS exam preparation workshop focuses on the skills needed to effectively teach diverse populations. Please visit the test preparation workshops schedule to RSVP.

The workshop covers the following topics:

  • Techniques to approach various multiple choice questions
  • Constructing an effective constructed written response
  • Test-taking strategies

Combined Early Childhood and Childhood Multi-Subject (CST)

The CST exam preparation workshop focuses on the strategies required to be successful in the multi subject specialty test for grades K- 6th. Please visit the test preparation workshops schedule to RSVP.

The workshop covers the following topics:

  • Literacy and English Language Arts (Multiple choice and constructed written response)
  • Mathematics (multiple choice and Constructed written response)
  • Arts and Sciences (multiple choice)
  • Test-taking strategies

The Mathematics for Future Teachers Course certificate program is a free course  that focuses on how to efficiently teach Pre-K and elementary mathematics. Running consecutively on Saturdays, students learn the importance of becoming an effective problem solver, how to identify common math misconceptions, as well as how to prepare for the CST exam.  Embedded tutoring is also provided. To apply for this course, please contact your LTT Site Coordinator to complete an application.

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, 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 .