Math for America Adds 60 New Fellows
Program’s NYC-Based Fellowship Doubles in Size in MfA’s Fifth Year

(New York) July 2, 2009 – Math for America today welcomes 60 Fellows to its New York City-based teaching program, furthering the nonprofit organization’s dedication to significantly improving mathematics education in US secondary public schools. This marks the most successful recruitment year for the program.

The 2009 cohort brings the total New York City program size to 250 Fellows and Master Teachers with a presence in more than 130 secondary schools. The five-year program provides Fellows with a year of study and scholarship to earn a Master’s Degree or Teacher Credentialing Program in Mathematics Education, beginning this fall. Math for America’s New York City-based partner institutions include Bard College, New York University and Teachers College. In September 2010, Fellows will begin to teach in New York City public schools. The Fellowship offers generous financial incentives, including up to $100,000 in stipends over five years in addition to a full-time New York City teacher’s salary. Complementing the New York City program, Math for America has sites in Los Angeles, San Diego and Washington, DC.

“With 60 new Fellows joining this program, we’re pleased to announce 2009 as the best recruitment year in our history,” said John Ewing, president of Math for America. “Our efforts to recruit and retain outstanding teachers have dramatically improved mathematics education in New York City schools—and across the country. We look forward to more successes in the coming years.”

The average 2009 New York City Fellow is 27 years old and has a mean GPA of 3.7. 66 percent of Fellows majored in mathematics, and other popular majors include the humanities, business/finance, computer science and physics.

“The 2009 cohort of 60 Fellows have met rigorous mathematics standards and demonstrated a passion and dedication in working with young people and teaching in New York City public schools. We’re pleased to have them join an existing group of Fellows already making a difference in our community,” said Jonathan Schweig, director of Math for America’s New York program. “With our outstanding partner universities, these Fellows will receive top-notch educational training and experience in further support of the program.”

About Math for America
Founded in 2004 by Jim Simons and a group of mathematicians, business people and educators, Math for America is a private nonprofit organization with a mission to improve math education in secondary public schools in the US by recruiting, training and retaining outstanding mathematics teachers. With sites in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego and Washington, DC, the program is comprised of a Fellowship, where recent college graduates and mid-career professionals make a five-year commitment to teach math in public schools, and Master Teacher Fellowship, where exceptional public high school math teachers are rewarded with a four-year Fellowship. Both programs provide professional development training and generous stipends for a corps of highly qualified math teachers dedicated to improving student performance and achievement. For more information, visit www.mathforamerica.org.