The Mathematics Specialist Program is designed for in-service teachers in grades K-8. In designing their individual programs, in conjunction with their advisors, students may select courses offered by UVA Mathematics and Education departments and courses offered by other collaborating Virginia universities. The program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. It is administered in the Office of Mathematics Outreach.
Mathematics Specialists are teacher leaders with strong preparation and background in mathematics content, instructional strategies, and school leadership. Based in elementary and middle schools, mathematics specialists are former classroom teachers who are responsible for supporting the professional growth of their colleagues and promoting enhanced mathematics instruction and student learning throughout their schools. They are responsible for strengthening classroom teachers’ understanding of mathematics content, and helping teachers develop more effective mathematics teaching practices that allow all students to reach high standards as well as sharing research addressing how students learn mathematics.
The overarching purpose for Mathematics Specialists is to increase the mathematics achievement of all the students in their schools. To do so, they
- Collaborate with individual teachers through co-planning, co-teaching, and coaching;
- Assist administrative and instructional staff in interpreting data and designing approaches to improve student achievement and instruction;
- Ensure that the school curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and their school division’s mathematics curriculum;
- Promote teachers’ delivery and understanding of the school curriculum through collaborative long-range and short-range planning;
- Facilitate teachers’ use of successful, research-based instructional strategies, including differentiated instruction for diverse learners such as those with limited English proficiency or disabilities;
- Work with parent/guardians and community leaders to foster continuing home/school/community partnerships focused on students’ learning of mathematics;
- Collaborate with administrators to provide leadership and vision for a school-wide mathematics program.
Program Description
Candidates must complete all of the course requirements of the MIS program. In addition:
- At least 18 of the 39 credits, including the Externship Proposal, must be granted by VCU. Up to six transfer credits may be approved and the remainder of the credits must be from consortium partners as approved by the student’s advisor, the VCU Graduate School and the Mathematics and Science Leadership Advisory Committee.
- The Seminar and Externship
Seminar: Develops and refines the skills applicable to the preparation of an acceptable draft of an externship proposal.
Externship: Off-campus planned experiences for advanced graduate students designed to extend professional competencies that are carried out under supervision of an approved professional. Activities, final report and presentation/publication are directed by university advisor.
Admission Procedures
Applicants for admission to the program should complete forms provided by the School of Graduate Studies and indicate Master of Interdisciplinary Studies – Mathematics and Science Leadership as the curriculum. Graduate application information can be obtained on-line at http://www.math.vcu.edu/MSP/admissions_directions.html.
In addition to the overall requirements for admission to the MIS program, candidates need to:
- Submit evidence of at least three years of successful experience teaching mathematics. One of the three letters of reference should address this experience;
- Meet with an advisor to develop a plan of study detailing which courses would be taken as a part of their program and which institutions would be offering the courses. After the admissions package has been submitted to the Graduate School, applicants should contact Karen Murphy at kamurphy@vcu.edu to arrange for this meeting.
- Submit scores from Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies
Course requirements*
* Courses 1-8 above have been specially developed by statewide teams to include competencies required for the proposed Mathematics Specialist license.
Contact Information
Virginia Commonwealth University
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
P.O. Box 842014
Richmond, VA 23284-2014
MIS Mathematics Specialists Contact:
Karen Murphy
Phone: (804) 828-1301 x 155
E-mail: kamurphy@vcu.edu
