Welcome to our Blog! We hope you had an enjoyable and restorative summer experience. Here’s to an exciting year of learning.

My name is Dr. Robert Siudzinski and I direct the Education Professions Program, work with the “Ed Pros” Fellowship, and I offer undergraduate and alumni advising through the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning.

The Amherst Careers in Education Professions Program supports and motivates a small but growing corps of prospective teachers, education researchers, and policy leaders who wish to re-imagine education and its contribution to a democratic society. Encouraging Amherst College students to think critically and creatively about the processes of teaching and learning, and about the place of education in society, this program offers Amherst College students engaging multidisciplinary seminars, stimulating panels and conferences, as well as career advising and mentoring. The program blends the philosophical, theoretical and political with praxis and hands-on learning. Students participate in exploratory Treks, community engagement opportunities, educator shadowing, and internships in areas including classroom teaching, educational leadership, research, advocacy and policy reform.

If you’re interested in joining like-minded students who are curious about and/or exploring education, teaching, and learning, then please consider applying to the “Ed Pro Fellowship” before Friday, September 25th, 2026.

The “Ed Pros” Fellowship blends the philosophical, theoretical, and political of education studies with hands-on learning. Students attend a weekly seminar where they read broadly on education issues, experiment with curriculum design and teaching, welcome expert guest speakers and panels, participate in field outings to explore local schools and education sites, and venture further to regional and out-of-state “Treks” (site visits designed to introduce students to alumni working in education). The Fellows also seek opportunities to shadow educators and pursue internships in areas such as educational leadership, classroom teaching, research, advocacy and policy reform.

Regional Education Field Trip

The Donahue Institute (an education think tank)
Sep 21, 2026 · 12 PM–2 PM EDT

A few seats remain available in the van for our local field trip on Monday, 9/21/26.

The Pioneer Valley of Western Mass provides fascinatingly diverse examples of school philosophies, systems, and pedagogies. The Education Professions Program provides exploratory field trips around the region so that any Amherst College student may have an experiential introduction to various school models and pedagogical approaches.

Join us as we visit The Donahue Institute, an education think tank in Hadley, Massachusetts. An education “think tank” is a research organization that studies schools and learning systems to shape public policy. These groups write reports, study data, and give advice to lawmakers. Their goal is to fix problems and improve how children and adults learn.

The Donahue Institute carries out their public service mission through applied research and evaluation, education and training, capacity building, and direct services to strengthen their impact.

Sign up early to visit the Institute and learn more about the profession.
Meet us at noon at the front steps of Converse Hall.

Upcoming Events

Becoming a Teacher: Navigating the Amherst-Mount Holyoke College Licensure Program
Sep 14, 2026 · 6:30 PM–7:30 PM EDT

Explore a roadmap for social impact by becoming a licensed public school teacher. First-year students, transfers, and sophomore students interested in classroom teaching are highly encouraged to attend.

This information session provides a strategic introduction to the advising, courses, and practicums required for Amherst students seeking a Massachusetts teaching license through the Amherst – Mount Holyoke Teacher Certification Partnership. Massachusetts has teaching license reciprocity with all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Join this info session to learn how former Amherst students have effectively navigated this special licensure program, as well as what your first steps should be towards becoming a teacher. Register today!

Experiential Teaching