Current research indicates that the most important part of teacher preparation is the field experience. For that reason, the two-semester internship under the direction of highly skilled mentor teachers is the heart of the MAT Program at Duke. MAT students begin working in one of Durham's six high schools on the first teacher workday in August, before the first day of class. Initially spending three class periods at the host campus each day, MAT interns assume greater responsibility for teaching those classes as the year progresses, and they assume full-time teaching responsibility during the second nine week grading period.  They continue their work at the high school during spring semester. MAT interns learn the seasons of a school year, and they observe and judge developmental changes over time in both their students and themselves. During the internship, students work with broad ranges of ability levels, from remedial to academically gifted.  They also gain experience teaching a variety of grade levels and a variety of classes within their certification field.  MAT teaching interns receive a monthly stipend for their work in the schools.