Left: Professor Brian Walker, SAU 84 Director of Student Services Kelly Noland, SAU 84 Director of Teaching and Learning Kristen Moreland, Professor Beth Fornauf. Front Row: Elena Register ’22, Brooke DeCarolis ’22, Mollie Kirwin ’22, Jennifer Malagrida, Alaina Larrabee ’22, Amanda O’Leary ’22
Plymouth State University and the Littleton, NH, school district (NH SAU 84) have created an innovative fellowship program for students pursuing their master’s degrees in special education. Part of PSU’s one-year intensive master’s degree program, the new Graduate Residency Program will immerse students in the district’s K–12 schools for the 2022–2023 school year, where they will work and learn under the guidance of a licensed special education mentor and general education teacher.
Accepted students are receiving full tuition, a living stipend of $1,000 per month for 10 months, and local housing for the duration of the program. Thanks to the district’s partnership with a local developer, students will be housed in new studio apartments situated within walking distance to all Littleton schools.
“We are excited to partner with the Littleton School District,” says Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ann McClellan. “This fellowship is a natural fit for our intensive one-year master’s program, and a tremendous opportunity for students who are not only looking to transition into special education, but who hope to deepen their understanding of rural education communities and are passionate about helping kids learn and grow.”
Students will work four days per week in the classroom and complete their coursework over the course of three semesters.
“Our district’s rural location creates challenges in hiring staff, but also in attracting student teachers and graduate-level interns for specialty areas such as special education,” says SAU 84 Superintendent William Hart. “This program is unique in that it will provide students housing right here in our community, as well as a monthly stipend, and it will cover their tuition. I am not aware of any other program in the state like this, and I believe it can be a model for other rural districts.”