Teacher Leaders for Investigations and Connected Mathematics
Goal:
| This project aims to develop a cadre of teacher leaders in the area of mathematics for the Milwaukee Public Schools. The various activities of this project will directly impact the teaching of 35 teachers from MPS. The design of the program then further strives to give those 35 teachers the knowledge and skills to impact other teachers in the district, thus expanding the reach of this project. |
Description: |
| The "Teacher Leaders for Investigations and Connected Mathematics" project is a one-year professional development program for 35 teachers of elementary and middle school mathematics. The project will develop a cadre of Teacher Leaders for the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). The Teacher Leaders will facilitate professional development on the implementation of their adopted curricula, Investigations in Number, Data, and Space in grades K-5 and Connected Mathematics in grades 6-8. These reform-based curricula embody an approach radically different from the traditional textbook-based curriculum an approach that many teachers are not ready to accept and implement. It will take many voices of encouragement, stories of success, and ongoing support to ensure the successful implementation of these curricula in MPS. This project will be key in identifying and supporting those teachers who are willing to step forward to lead the 3000 elementary teachers and 600 middle school teachers in the implementation of the MPS curricula throughout the 114 elementary and 23 middle schools in the district. All participants in this project will be from MPS. The participants will form a learning community around the discussion and facilitation of professional development with both face-to-face interactions and online discussions. A summer institute (eight half-days) in June will focus on developing enhanced pedagogical content knowledge of mathematical ideas in the curriculum, a knowledge base of effective professional development and change strategies, and facilitation and leadership skills. During the school year, participants will meet approximately twice a month to design professional development for their schools and for the district, to serve as a support network for each other, and to continue strengthening their knowledge-base for professional development and the development of mathematical knowledge in the curricula. Each participant will earn five graduate or undergraduate credits from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. |
| Funding:Wisconsin Eisenhower Professional Development Program |
Additional Funding: |
| Milwaukee Public Schools |
Director: |
| DeAnn Huinker |
Project Period: |
| May 2001 - May 2002 |
