On April 15, the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) Advising Office hosted an information session in the Educational Resources Lab (ERL) to inform students of books, materials and services provided for careers in education. Refreshments were provided, including fresh coffee, cupcakes and freshly popped corn.
The event allowed SEHS students to openly ask questions to advisors regarding the first few steps students could take when finishing up their last few semesters of getting a degree in education.
“It’s called Planting the Seed for the MTTC. And MTTC stands for Michigan Test for Teacher Certification,” Roberta Rea, director of advising services for the SEHS, said. “It’s a big time for our students to focus on their teacher certification exams, so it was a good chance just to give students some resources leading up to the required tests that they’ll be taking.”
The session taught students about the MTTC, a necessary certificate for students looking to become teachers of all grades in the state. The event specifically involved students in teaching elementary education, like OU freshman Katie Lingerfelt, who is looking to teach kindergarten.
“Even though I’m not taking the test for a while, I just wanted to come and get some more information,” Lingerfelt said. “The most important thing was the learning liaisons, the paid [program], I didn’t even know that existed.”
The Learning Liaisons program is a resource offered at OU as a test preparation tool featuring instructional videos, practice tests and other online material.
The advisers explained information regarding the different versions of the exam, how it can reach a specific range of years in elementary school and how to access the resources needed. A recommendation that followed is to take the MTTC exam at least once throughout the summer break before becoming a student teacher, as the exam results last for five years after completing the exam.
The resources that Oakland University provides are a study guide, a learning liaison, and ten possible vouchers for students to use.
“Our study guides are Mometrix, [which] we, as Oakland University, pay for a subscription for all of our students to use,” Rea said. “The Learning Liaison Program is a third-party organization where students can get a subscription with them directly, and it’s more video-based learning, where the Mometrix study guide is more book learning. So through the videos, students also get to ask questions of a teacher while they’re taking that.”
While the Learning Liaisons program is available for $25 per month, most of the MTTC test preparation tools are free for all majors, Rea explained.
The MTTC exams can be taken every month with registration, and have a respective cost for online and off-campus locations. If taken before Sept. 30 of this year, students can apply for a reimbursement grant through the state of Michigan.
There are additionally in-depth webinars for test techniques students can use, Mometrix Library books, and the SEHS advisor office as well. Students are always welcome to discuss the means of the MTTC exams with advisors and ask for additional tips.
Student organizations like Aspiring Educators of Michigan, the National Science Teachers Association and the Michigan Art Education Association are also available to help students navigate their educational careers.
“When I was an undergrad student, I went to sessions like this too,” Rea said, “Don’t miss the opportunity to be better prepared for the MTTC.”
