Above: MAT students who accepted job offers from Newport News Public Schools, from left to right: Rachel Cobb, Soren French, Alana Fick, Kaitlyn Kreitler, and Lizbeth Baez
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A routine afternoon seminar took a life-changing turn when administrators from neighboring Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) entered the room in a well-orchestrated surprise, employment contracts in hand, and offered teaching positions to every student graduating in the spring from the University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.
“I was shocked, ” said Lizbeth “Liz” Baez ‘26 when she realized the class wasn’t just a lecture but the start of her career. Her first call was to her mother, a former teacher and her inspiration for entering the field.
“I was really excited to share the news with her. I had mentioned to her before that if they offered me a job, I would take it. I love all the students I’ve been working with at An Achievable Dream Academy, where I’m doing my student-teaching placement. This offer is really an amazing opportunity,” she said.
Alana Fick ‘26 who is currently doing a residency with NNPS, was the first MAT student to sign on the dotted line.
“Newport News Schools have so many resources and support systems for new teachers. I absolutely love working with the kids there. To me, it’s so exciting when the material clicks and students finally get it. I want to be a part of supporting them and helping them to grow,” Fick said. “I’m really grateful for my experience in the MAT program. The faculty is so supportive, my class size is small, and it allows us to really get to know our professors. They build classroom environments that are truly welcoming.”
Five students accepted employment on the spot, and others are considering it. The surprise job-offer celebration underscored the strong partnership between Christopher Newport and its neighboring school system.
Dr. Jean Filetti, Director of CNU’s Teacher Preparation Program, acknowledged her gratitude to NNPS for its support of CNU’s teacher candidates.
“In addition to providing exceptional cooperating teachers to mentor our students during their critical internship, NNPS continues to support our graduates hired by the school district through professional development opportunities and a first-year teacher mentorship program,” said Filetti. “Together CNU and NNPS are committed to professional growth and ensuring the current generation of learners have the very best teachers possible.”
Dr. Karyn Ward, Associate Director of CNU’s Teacher Preparation Program, fully supports the partnerships with NNPS.
“I believe that NNPS has provided our candidates with exceptional mentoring during their student teaching internship. The professional development opportunities that NNPS facilitates for our candidates annually enriches their journey in becoming first-year licensed teachers,” said Ward. “I am thankful for the collaboration between CNU and NNPS, and our shared goal of developing new teachers for the future.”
“Our partnership with Christopher Newport University’s MAT program continues to be an incredible source of talented, classroom-ready teachers. These graduates come to us with the knowledge, skills, and heart it takes to inspire learning from day one,” said Dr. Nina Farrish, Human Resources Director for NNPS. “We’re proud to invest in their futures, knowing their success as educators will directly impact the growth and achievements of our students.”
In addition to the MAT program's success in placing graduates, several other recent achievements underscore its record of excellence in training teachers.
- The Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation ( CAEP) recently selected Christopher Newport’s MAT program for national recognition award for producing future teachers who not only mastered teaching methods and subject matters, but who are ready to step into their classrooms and have an immediate impact.
- Last year, two MAT grads, Hannah Park ‘19 and Kali Milazzo’21 were named Teachers of the Year in their Newport News schools, the latest in a long line of MAT graduates to win this honor in districts across Virginia and beyond.
The MAT is offered as a stand-alone graduate program for those who already hold bachelor’s degrees. It can be completed in as little as a year. There are also new opportunities at Christopher Newport to pursue a teaching career:
- Students can now earn a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (BAEd).
- Students can also enroll in a five-year program to earn their bachelor’s degree, with the fifth year being graduate-level professional courses, to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching in the following areas: art, biology, chemistry, elementary education, english, ESL, history/social science, math, music (either choral or instrumental), physics, or spanish.