The Minnesota Department of Education has named Minnesota State University, Mankato as the lead institution for one of nine new Mathematics and Science Teacher Academies intended to improve mathematics and science teaching and learning.
College of Education and Mathematics faculty will lead the Region 9 academy’s programs for K-12 teachers in south central Minnesota. Other Region 9 partners include the South Central Cooperative Agency, Normandale Community College, Gustavus Adolphus College and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Other academies are at Thief River Falls, Mountain Iron, Fergus Falls, Staples, Marshall, St. Cloud, Rochester and Plymouth. Each center includes one higher education partner, but Minnesota State Mankato is the only university to lead an academy.
The statewide initiative was announced by the Minnesota Department of Education.
“After parents, teachers have the biggest impact on student success,” said Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. “The Math and Science Teacher Academy will help to better prepare Minnesota teachers for success in the classroom as they continue to prepare our students for success after high school.”
The academies will use ongoing, high-quality professional development to improve math and science instruction. School districts will send teams of teachers to one of the centers for summer training. These certified trainers will then train other teachers in their respective districts and surrounding regions.
Teachers will receive training and technical assistance designed to help them successfully implement Minnesota’s content standards, master multiple instructional approaches, and diagnose student learning needs. In addition, the academies will strive to develop committed partnerships between K-12 schools and higher education institutions, to encourage ongoing professional development.
In Region 9, initial training sessions will be taught by College of Education faculty members on the Minnesota State Mankato campus, with some follow-up sessions at the South Central Cooperative Agency in North Mankato. In addition to on-campus training, teachers will participate in online discussions.
Funding for the program was approved in 2007 by the Minnesota Legislature. Additional money is from a National Governors Association grant.
More information about the initiative is available on the Minnesota Department of Education Web site at http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/About_MDE/News_Center/Press_Releases/034295.
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