| Sixteen students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are participating
in "Math Matters," a new program designed to prepare future
leaders for elementary mathematics education. Funded by the National
Science Foundation, the program is a collaborative effort between
the Mathematics and Statistics Department in the College of Arts and
Sciences and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in Teachers
College. The project strives to develop a new model for improving
elementary teachers' understanding of mathematics and how to teach
mathematics effectively to young children.
In Nebraska and nationally, a recognized need exists for more kindergarten
through sixth grade teachers to be prepared to help students succeed
in mathematics. After analyzing data, UNL mathematics and education
faculty discovered that only 4% of all UNL elementary education
majors had chosen mathematics as an area of special concentration.
Thus, the "Math Matters" project emerged to focus more
students on becoming outstanding elementary mathematics teachers.
Elementary education majors enrolled in the "Math Matters"
project are above-average students with a desire to share mathematical
interest and expertise. Jeremy Renfro, one of the Math Matters teachers-to-be
says he and others in the Math Matters project "want to have
a deeper understanding of the material." When students ask
a question, Renfro hopes "not only to know the answer but to
be able to explain the concept in multiple ways to promote every
student's understanding." Renfro proceeds to explain, "We
know not all students learn at the same pace or in the same way"
so a teacher "needs to be prepared to help all of his or her
students."
In addition to regular course assignments, students who are part
of the "Math Matters" project work with a cohort of other
students for one year. They will receive assistance in finding their
first teaching job and opportunities for mentoring during their
first year of teaching.
For more information about "Math Matters" please contact
Dr. Ruth Heaton (402)472-1991, Dr. Patience Fisher in UNL's Teachers
College (402)472-2389, or Dr. Jim Lewis in the Department of Mathematics
and Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences (402)472-7243.
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