GOING TO THE MAT FOR LATIN

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A Latin student suddenly decides in the last year of undergraduate studies to consider a career teaching at the primary or secondary level: what do we do with such a student?

First, of course, we encourage them! The nationwide shortage of Latin teachers needs to be filled by students of ours. But how? Many of our colleges do not offer the courses necessary for teaching certification; and, even if the program is available, these late-bloomers in Latin teaching rarely want to spend an extra two or three years in college to earn certification.

One solution is to encourage them to consider a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), with a curriculum designed to give them both a graduate degree in the field and the courses necessary for certification.

Two colleges in the consortia offer MATs for Latin:

Colorado College
This is a 15-month program (2 summer sessions, plus an intervening academic year with student teaching). The Latin Institute within the curriculum is an established program that also serves certified teachers pursuing graduate work. PATRICIA FITZGIBBON oversees the Insitute; courses planned for summer 2003 include "Methods of Teaching Latin," "Intermediate Latin/Prose Composition," and Advanced Latin Reading courses in Vergil and Roman Satire.

Earlham College
An 11 month (June-May) curriculum, followed by a capstone course after
certification. Those seeking certification in Latin can be accommodated within
the program.