Mathematics specialists are teacher leaders who support effective PK-8 mathematics instruction and student learning. The roles and expectations of mathematics specialists can vary according to the needs of each setting, but can include coaching teachers, developing curricula, providing professional development, to name a few. For more than a decade, the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics, the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, have advocated for the use of mathematics specialists to serve as leaders in districts and schools. Teachers with a strong background in mathematical content and pedagogical expertise are vitally important for the success of K-8 mathematics programs in Virginia's elementary and middle schools.
Virginia Commonwealth University is offering the course work for a Masters degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics and Science Leadership track, and the Virginia Mathematics Specialist for Elementary Education or Mathematics Specialist for Elementary and Middle Education add-on endorsement to teachers in districts in Virginia. This two-year program will be offered in an online format.
Through this educational experience, participants develop into a tight-knit community of teacher leaders with an in-depth understanding of mathematics content and pedagogy. This online program will have both synchronous (scheduled whole-class) and asynchronous (individual/group) meetings. There will be fewer synchronous meetings in this program than there are in traditional face-to-face programs. Participants will be expected to spend a sufficient amount of time outside of class completing readings, activities, and assignments in small groups or independently prior to the whole-class meetings. Because there will be less time devoted to scheduled whole-class meetings, participants should expect to spend more time throughout this program working independently or in small groups.
Interested teachers should complete a pre-screening application and submit it by March 12, 2021 via e-mail (ajellington@vcu.edu) or through the link in the Application Process table below. The VCU Program Selection Committee will review all submitted documentation and make the final selection of program participants. Selected teachers will enroll in the first class that will begin June 21, 2021 (see the complete schedule below). Teachers who are selected who plan to complete the MIS degree in addition to receiving the endorsement will be notified by March 26, 2021 and will need to apply to the VCU Graduate School. Note that MIS degree applicants will need to provide official transcripts and GRE or MAT scores as part of the Graduate School application process. Detailed information about the application process will be sent to all teachers who are selected by the VCU Program Selection Committee.
Participants completing the MIS degree are required to complete 36 graduate semester hours of coursework (see Course Schedule below). Participants completing only the coursework for the K-8 Mathematics Specialist endorsement to their Virginia teaching license need to complete the following ten courses in the schedule outlined below: MATH 661, MATH 662, MATH 663, MATH 664, MATH 665, MATH 667, MATH 668, TEDU 657, TEDU 658, and TEDU 659.
To complete any course work in this program you must be an approved applicant. Approval is granted by the VCU Mathematics Outreach Office and is based on your pre-screening application responses. This program is offered in a cohort model so approval is also subject to space availability in the cohort.
We will hold an Interest Meeting and Q&A via Zoom on Thursday, February 25, 2021 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Program faculty and graduates will be available to answer questions about the program format, courses, and other information. Click on the link in the Application Process table below to register and receive the Zoom link.
| Date | Mathematics Specialist Online Preparation Program |
|---|---|
| February 25, 2021 | Interest Meeting and Q&A via Zoom |
| March 12, 2021 | Submit Pre-Screening App or e-mail PDF version to ajellington@vcu.edu |
| March 26, 2021 | VCU notifies teachers selected to apply for the program |
| May 3, 2021 | Full applications due (MIS to Graduate School, Endorsement only to Math Outreach) |
| June 1, 2021 | Teachers notified of acceptance |
| June 21, 2021 | Classes begin |
The program will be offered over three summers and two academic years.
| Semester | Course | Meeting Days & Times |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2021 | Math 661: Number and Operations Math 662: Geometry and Measurement | June 21, 23, 24, 28, 30, July 1, 6, 7, 8 4:30 - 7:00 pm
July 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, August 2, 4, 5 4:30 - 7:00 pm |
| Fall 2021 | TEDU 657: Education/Leadership I MATH 665: Rational Numbers & Proportional Reasoning (continues through Sp 2022) | Thursdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm
Alternate Tuesdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm |
| Spring 2022 | MATH 665: Rational Numbers & Proportional Reasoning (continuing from Fall 2021)
TEDU 658: Education/Leadership II | Alternate Tuesdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm
Thursdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm |
| Summer 2022 | MATH 663: Algebra and Functions MATH 664: Probability and Statistics | June 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30, July 5, 6, 7 4:30 - 7:00 pm
July 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28, August 1, 3, 4 4:30 - 7:00 pm |
| Fall 2022 | TEDU 659: Education/Leadership III
TEDU 680: Externship Seminar (continues through Sp 2023) | Alternate Tuesdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm Thursdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm |
| Spring 2023 | TEDU 680: Externship Seminar (continues from Fall 2022)
TEDU 700: Externship | Alternate Tuesdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm Thursdays 4:30 - 7:00 pm |
| Summer 2023 | MATH 667: Algebra and Functions II MATH 668: Mathematical Modeling | June 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, July 5, 6, 10 4:30 - 7:00 pm July 17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 31, August 2, 3 4:30 - 7:00 pm |
Tuition and fees: Approximately $712 per credit hour. Each course is 3 credit hours. A tuition increase of 2 - 4% per year is possible. Information will be updated when it is available.
Books: Required textbooks for each course will be available for purchase at an additional cost.
To complete any course work in this program you must be an approved applicant. Approval is granted by the VCU Mathematics Outreach Office and is based on your pre-screening application responses. This program is offered in a cohort model so approval is also subject to space availability in the cohort. Approval must be granted before completing either of the following:
For individuals interested in admission to the VCU Graduate School to complete the MIS degree:
For admission to graduate study at VCU, the Graduate School requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. In cases where the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, additional factors, including performance in the last 60 hours of coursework, may be weighted more heavily in the admissions assessment. For students who have previously earned graduate degrees from accredited institutions, their graduate GPA may be the primary basis for consideration.
Additional criteria:
Details on applying to the VCU Graduate program and all of the necessary forms can be found at the VCU Graduate School Admissions website.
For individuals interested in only completing the coursework necessary for the endorsement:
Submit Pre-Screening App or e-mail PDF version to ajellington@vcu.edu
For Additional Information Contact:
Aimee Ellington, Department of Mathematics & Applied Mathematics, VCU, P O Box 842014, Richmond, VA 23284-2014, ajellington@vcu.edu