NSF Noyce Track 3 Project - Mathematics Education - College of Community Innovation and Education

This NSF Noyce Track 3 project aims to serve the national interest by providing novel and important information regarding the impact of K-12 STEM teachers with a doctorate degree as instructional leaders in their schools and district. By applying research-informed and policies, practices, and structures for all learners, the project intends to increase the capacity and expertise of K-8 mathematics teachers to serve as leaders in their schools and districts. The project has the potential to incentivize, build precedence for, and professionalize the value of mathematics teachers with doctoral degrees in K-12 school settings, where research and practice can be readily linked. The participating teachers (known as the Noyce Fellows) earned an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in K-8 Mathematics Education. They also comprise the University of Central Florida-Orange County Public Schools Noyce Teacher Leader Academy.

This project aims to advance the impact of the Noyce Fellows by increasing their:

ability, knowledge, and mindset for teaching all learners;
mathematical content knowledge;
pedagogical content knowledge, and;
leadership capacity.

This project at the University of Central Florida includes partnerships with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), and City Year Orlando. The project is a transformative endeavor that will, through the Noyce Fellows’ dissertation studies, produce a broad collection needed studies to inform the practical implementation of the four key recommendations outlined in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Catalyzing Change framework. The project will serve as an innovative model for empowering STEM teachers with earned doctorates and increasing teachers in STEM fields from a variety of backgrounds. The UCF-OCPS Noyce Teacher Leader Academy aims to directly impact more than 200 additional K-8 mathematics teachers, more than 30 administrators, the estimated 9000 students in the schools where the Noyce Fellows teach, more than 200 City Year Orlando young adults, and 2000 students served by City Year Orlando.

The Noyce Fellows completed the K-8 Mathematics Education Specialization within the Curriculum and Instruction EdD, which was designed for teachers, teacher leaders, coaches, and administrators with positions connected to elementary/middle school mathematics who desire to improve the quality of teaching and learning in grades K-8 mathematics. The specialization was structured as a cohort of graduate students who engage in synchronous learning in a virtual setting. The cohort was guided by faculty who are nationally recognized experts in the fields of mathematics education and integrated STEM education.

The EdD program is designed to be completed in three years and includes 57 credit hours of course work and dissertation hours.

Outcomes

K-8 Mathematics Education graduates will be:

Equipped to serve as leaders in elementary/middle school mathematics education.
Prepared and positioned with the tools needed in their educational settings.
Able to work as change agents in schools, districts, and public policies related to elementary/middle school mathematics education.

Specialization Courses

MAE 7805 Policies, Practices, and Structures in K-8 Mathematics Education
MAE 7817 Content Knowledge for Teaching K-8 Mathematics I
MAE 7930 Seminar in K-8 Mathematics Education
MAE 7804 Content Knowledge for Teaching K-8 Mathematics II
MAE 7367 Instructional Coaching in K-8 Mathematics
MAE 7819 Professional Leadership in K-8 Mathematics

Contact

Curriculum & Instruction EdD Program Coordinator: Michele Gill, Ph.D.

Mathematics Education Track PhD in Education Coordinator: Sarah B. Bush, Ph.D.

The UCF-OCPS Noyce Teacher Leader Academy is organized by three interconnected and synergistic components: Multilayered Coaching Cycles, Repositioning Mathematics as a Gateway, and Mentoring Underrepresented STEM Education Professionals. The Teacher Leader Academy provides a structure and support for teachers to apply what they have learned in the EdD program in their urban classroom settings. The UCF-OCPS Noyce Teacher Leader Academy aims to directly impact K-8 mathematics teachers, administrators, students in the schools where the Fellows teach, City Year Orlando Corps Members, and students served by City Year Orlando.

Multilayered Coaching Cycles

Repositioning Mathematics as a Gateway

The Teacher Leader Academy positions fellows to positively impact mathematics education in the K-8 setting through development of the specific tools and techniques necessary to catalyze change. Fellows engage in professional development focused on actualizing K-8 mathematics as a cornerstone to secondary mathematics by positioning students as critical thinkers and doers of mathematics.

Fellows receive professional development and support in the following areas:

Establishing learning environments that cultivate deeper understandings of mathematics.
Strengthening problem solving skills to provide all students entry points and access to build solutions to a variety of mathematical problems.
Developing productive persistence in K-8 students that positions students as capable to overcome minor setbacks.
Improving communication skills, so that mathematical ideas may be explored appropriately.

Mentoring Underrepresented STEM Education Professionals

14 Orange County Teachers Graduate Ready to Inspire, Lead Colleagues in Strengthening Math Education

The Robert Noyce Master Teaching Fellowship program is empowering this cohort of teachers through evidence-based approaches to mathematics education and mentorship of fellow educators...