Overview
History
Fellowship Programs
Professional Development and Mentorship
Overview
Math for America (MƒA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve mathematics education in US public secondary schools by recruiting, training and retaining outstanding mathematics teachers and leaders. Founded in New York City in 2004, MƒA also operates in Berkeley, Boston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Utah and Washington, DC. MƒA offers Fellowships for new and experienced teachers and school leaders, including: the MƒA Fellowship, which aims to increase the number of mathematically talented individuals entering the teaching profession; the MƒA Early Career Fellowship and the MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship, which support outstanding mathematics teachers already in the classroom; and the MƒA School Leader Fellowship, which supports experienced mathematics teachers who have moved into administrative positions and oversee mathematics instruction in their schools.
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History
MƒA was founded in New York City by a group of businessmen, mathematicians and educators, led by Jim Simons, president of Euclidean Capital and chair of Renaissance Technologies, a private investment firm that uses innovative mathematical methods to make investment decisions. MƒA was the congressional model for legislation creating the new National Science Foundation Teaching and Master Teaching Fellowships through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program in the America COMPETES Act.
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Fellowship Programs
The Fellowship programs are based on three key principles:
- To teach math effectively, one needs a strong knowledge of mathematics, solid pedagogical skills and a desire and ability to interact with young people.
- Generous incentives make it possible to recruit mathematically qualified individuals into teaching and to retain outstanding mathematics teachers.
- By providing strong support services, including continuing education, mentoring and professional development, it is possible to inspire a commitment to a long-term career as a mathematics teacher.
MƒA Fellowship
The MƒA Fellowship is a five-year program where recent college graduates and mid-career professionals make a commitment to teach mathematics in public secondary schools. MƒA Fellows are mathematically sophisticated individuals who are new to teaching and use their talents to make a difference in students’ lives. The program includes one year earning a master’s degree in education and four years of teaching math in public secondary schools. The MƒA Fellowship provides a full tuition scholarship, stipends of up to $100,000 over five years, in addition to a full time teacher’s salary, and mentoring and professional development opportunities. During the fifth year, Fellows may apply to become Master Teachers.
MƒA Early Career Fellowship
The MƒA Early Career Fellowship provides professional support and growth opportunities to current new teachers of secondary mathematics in a New York City public school or recent graduates of education training programs who are certified to teach in New York City and have secured an eligible job. The four-year program includes stipends of up to $70,000 over four years, camaraderie with a cohort of outstanding secondary math teachers, mentoring and professional development support.
MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship
The MƒA Master Teacher Fellowship program rewards exceptional public secondary school mathematics teachers with a four-year Fellowship. The program includes stipends of up to $60,000 over four years, professional development and leadership opportunities and support for mathematical and educational interests.
MƒA School Leader Fellowship
The new MƒA School Leader Fellowship is a two-year program for mathematics teachers who have moved into leadership positions in their school. The program offers a mathematics-rich community for professional administrators in the New York City Department of Education, providing professional support and enrichment opportunities, up to $10,000 in stipends over two years and an annual grant to the school for the purposes of improving mathematics instruction.
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Professional Development and Mentorship
MƒA places much of its success in its commitment to providing professional enrichment, developing leaders and creating a strong community of mathematics teachers. MƒA offers professional development opportunities, including conferences, workshops and social events that bring Fellows and Master Teachers together for interactive training and classroom support. In addition, a group of Advisors provides instructional guidance and acts as a resource for MƒA Fellows - both in the classroom and through regular meetings and counseling sessions.
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