October 7, 2005 – Shirley Luna

Scholarships for math teacher training available at SFA

Local school students and their teachers may benefit from a program that has Stephen F. Austin State University teaming up with the National Science Foundation to eliminate the shortage of highly qualified mathematics teachers in middle schools and high schools. Scholarships now are available to cover most expenses related to tuition, fees and books for qualified individuals interested in obtaining a Master of Science degree in school mathematics teaching, according to Dr. Kimberly Childs, SFA associate professor of mathematics and statistics.

Courses are designed specifically to meet the needs of middle school and high school math teachers.

"The Master of Science degree in school mathematics teaching is a very different degree than teachers have typically had available to them," Childs said. "Courses offered through this degree are designed to totally integrate both the mathematics and pedagogy that teachers need – whether at the middle or secondary level."

School districts with which SFA is partnering or collaborating include Center, Corrigan/Camden, Crockett, Garland, Hemphill, Henderson, Humble, Irving, Jacksonville, Latexo, Longview, Lufkin, Lumberton, Martinsville, McKinney, Mount Enterprise, Nacogdoches, Palestine, Richardson, Rusk, Sabine Pass, Silsbee, Timpson, Troup, Tyler, Weatherford, Whitehouse and Woodville.

"Although preference will be given to certified teachers in one of SFA's partner districts, anyone interested is encouraged to apply," Childs said. "The application is available on the SFA math department Web site."

The 36-credit hour program for teachers includes a total of six on-campus meetings per academic semester and two three-week sessions during the summer.

"In addition to the course work that teachers complete, they are also given the opportunity to teach in a week-long summer camp for students in partner school districts. Curriculum in the camps targets patterns and algebraic thinking, geometry and statistics, all presented in a discovery-learning environment," Childs said.

According to Dr. Jasper Adams, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the department has served more than 100 teachers with funding provided through the National Science Foundation. Master's degrees have been awarded to more than half, and the other half is on track to graduate in May 2006.

“By funding this proposal, the National Science Foundation recognizes that there is a national shortage of certified mathematics teachers and that SFA has an exemplary program to address this shortage,” Adams said.

Application deadline is Nov. 4. For more information, contact the SFA Department of Mathematics and Statistics at (936) 468-3805 or via e-mail at childs@math.sfasu.edu.