Innovation, Energy, and Focus in Teacher Preparation for Secondary School

Mathematics and Science26th Annual Conference for the

Association of Faculties for the Advancement of Community College Teaching (AFACCT)

College of Southern Maryland

January 7, 2016Session 3.8; 1:50 pm -2:50 pm

Linda CooperCo-Director of Towson UTeachAssociate Professor of MathematicsTowson Universitylcooper@towson.edu

Mary Stapleton Director of Education and OutreachCenter for STEM ExcellenceTowson Universitymkstapleton@towson.edu

• The first UTeach Program began in 1997 at the University of Texas at Austin.

• Goals– Increase the quantity and quality of science and

mathematics teachers

– Streamline to a 4 yr program (120-126 credits) resulting in a bachelor degree in content area with secondary school teaching certification

– Greater focus on teaching through inquiry

3 Hallmarks• Early and frequent field teaching experiences

– students transferring in from a community college have a field teaching experience each semester at TU

• Coaching by master teachers– former public school teachers with exemplary teaching and

leadership experience

• Pedagogy focused on the learning and knowing of mathematics and science– inquiry and constructivism– engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, evaluation– attention to standards

• Next Generation Science Standards• Common Core Mathematics Standards

Technology• Videotape field teaching experience for reflection • Incorporate into field teaching experiences

– iPads and probes • motion detectors to fit a line while walking• pH probes to explore effect of acid rain• electronic circuits

– graphing calculators – computer software programs (Geometer’s Sketchpad)– student-created videos to launch (engage) a lesson– Smartboards

MathematicsBiologyEarth-Space ScienceChemistryPhysicsother

Majorother6.6%Physics

6.6%

Chemistry6.6%

Earth-Space Science9.1%

Biology13.2%

Mathematics57.9%

Distribution of Majors (fall 2015)

Towson UTeach Students in a Field Teaching Experience

Information video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C_kFOfhMtE

Sending Institutions• Sending Institutions (fall 2013 – fall 2015)

– Community College of Baltimore County (20%)– Harford Community College (14%)– College of Southern Maryland (12%)– Anne Arundel Community College (9%)– Howard Community College (9%)– Carroll Community College (6%)– Frederick Community College (6%)– 14 other institutions (24%)

Recommended Transfer Programs and

Potential for Articulation Agreements

Preparation at the Community College for Mathematics and Science Secondary Education Majors

While at the community college, take• as many content courses as possible • Educational Psychology• additional education courses to

satisfy AAT (mathematics)

Refer to www.towson.edu/uteach for recommended preparation for each major

Towson University’s Core Curriculum

1 – Towson Seminar (waived for transfer students)2 – English Composition3 – Mathematics4 – Creativity and Creative Development5 – Arts and Humanities6 – Social and Behavioral Sciences7 – Biological and Physical Sciences (Lab only)8 – Biological and Physical Sciences (Lab & non-Lab)9 – Advanced Writing Seminar10 – Metropolitan Perspectives11 – The United States as a Nation12 – Global Perspectives13 – Diversity and Difference14 – Ethical Issues and Perspectives

Fulfilled by courses to be taken as part of the Towson UTeach Program while at Towson University

Scholarship for Towson University Transfer Students

Transfer Achievement Award (approximately $1,200)

Community college transfers- preference given to students from MD schools.

3.5+ college GPA and 56+ units by time of transfer - students are evaluated based on credits completed prior to the December 1st application deadline (excluding fall courses in progress at the time of application.)

This is a competitive award and funding is limited. Award criteria may be adjusted to reflect the strength of the applicant pool. It is only awarded to those entering Towson University in the fall semester.

https://www.towson.edu/admissions/financialaid/programs/scholarships/admissions.html

Scholarships for Towson University Mathematics and Science

Secondary Education Majors

Endowed Scholarships ($1,000 to $1,400 each)

Dr. Carol L. and Robert E. Daihl Endowed Scholarship

Dollenberg Family Endowed Scholarship

Dr. George E. Hohl '55 and Anne S. Hohl Endowed Scholarship for Towson UTeach

Kahlert Foundation Endowed Scholarship for Towson UTeach

R. Elizabeth Remsberg ’27 Endowed Scholarship for Towson UTeach

http://www.towson.edu/fcsm/departments/uteach/scholarships.html

Externships• Howard County Public School System

– summer curriculum writing with public school teachers

• National Aquarium– summer assistant for education outreach

• National Federation for the Blind– summer camp

• Sci-Tech – lab assistant for Towson University's Center for STEM Excellence, a dedicated student learning lab located in Baltimore City’s Inner Harbor

For more information please visit: www.towson.edu/uteach

Linda CooperCo-Director of Towson UTeachAssociate Professor of Mathematicslcooper@towson.edu

Mary Stapleton Director of Education and OutreachCenter for STEM Excellencemkstapleton@towson.edu