The Educator Preparation Office (EdPrep) supports education licensure programs across the University of Massachusetts Amherst. On this site, you will find forms and resources provided by our office to support the licensure endorsement process. Please see our Ed Prep Office Handbook for more details. Click here for a list of our licensure programs and 2025-26 academic year licensure program and pathway coordinators
The Ed Prep Office is here to support faculty, licensure candidates, and field supervisors with the important work that you do. Please contact us for assistance at edprep-help@umass.edu and our office will promptly respond to your inquiry with the necessary guidance and support.
Who we are
Beverley Bell, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of Educator Preparation
Dr. Bell oversees the work of the Educator Preparation (Ed Prep) Office and serves as the lead representative of UMass Amherst with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and across the UMass Amherst campus. She is currently collaborating with colleagues, through a Five Colleges initiative, to develop programs that provide opportunities for local community members, paraprofessionals and teachers on waivers, to earn their initial teaching license.
Carmelo Chiello, Ed.S., Director of Educator Preparation
Carmelo focuses his work on supporting faculty in aligning DESE requirements with UMass Amherst licensure programs’ approaches to field-based experiences and school partnerships, including field placements for licensure candidates. He also plans and facilitates the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) training for practicum supervisors.
Sophia Lee-Choi, M.Ed., Educator Licensure Officer
Sophia provides guidance and support for UMass Amherst licensure programs’ faculty and students in fulfilling DESE requirements for licensure endorsement, including orientation and information sessions.
Javid Mussawy, Ph.D., Director of Educational Assessment and Analytics
Dr. Mussawy’s work with the Ed Prep Office leads the work of continuous improvement and evaluation, supporting faculty and leadership in licensure programs through systematic assessment efforts, offering data informed recommendation for the strategic plan, and serving as the point of contact for the State and Federal data reporting purpose.
Sandra Sarucia, MS. Ed, MPA, Educator Preparation Project Coordinator
Sandra supports the Educator Preparation (Ed Prep) Office with a specific focus on instructional programing, continuous improvement, and establishing procedures to highlight alignment to state policy expectations. She leverages her extensive experience in nonprofit and government roles to diversify the educator workforce, eliminate barriers to racial justice, and improve training for educators to support low-income students, English Learners, students with special needs, and students of color.
Robert Heath, Clerk for Educator Preparation
Robert handles general licensure inquiries, as well as MTEL preparation workshop registration, and organization of licensure candidate files.
Anthony Eastmond, B.A., Data & Support Specialist
Anthony provides direct support to licensure candidates, field supervisors, and faculty with accessing and managing Tk20, an online portfolio, in alignment with DESE requirements.
About ELPAC
UMass Amherst deeply values our Pk-12 schools and districts partnerships. Our Educator Licensure Partnership Advisory Council is a way to continue building our mutually beneficial partnerships. To learn more about ELPAC, click here.