Mathematics Within Reach Network

Professional Development Opportunities in Mathematics

With support from an MSP and a PDO award, the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology Center for Educational Programs (ITCEP) started a teacher network in 2005-06, which includes a variety of content, leadership, and mentoring activities for interested Twin Cities’ teachers. While primarily involving teacher participants from summer courses sponsored by the MSP and ITQ projects, this network will be open to teachers who have not participated in these courses. There is no cost to attend any activities, but prior enrollment is necessary. Each years activities (the exact mix will depend on participants’ interest and available University staffing) include:

Professional development workshops on teaching innovative enrichment modules. There will be teacher classroom observation with immediate feedback to help teachers critique and disseminate lessons and materials developed.
Mentoring opportunities by teacher leaders and University faculty to help participants present and disseminate their own and other materials in their schools and district. The MWR Network will maintain a website, which contains all materials and lessons to facilitate this process.
Two mathematical seminars, uniquely designed for teachers, will be offered during the academic year. Some will be on new mathematical concepts, and other seminars will be linked to curriculum developed for Saturday Morning enrichment workshops offered to students in grades 4-7. Selected teachers who were involved in an in-depth study of the math concepts will discuss and critique the enrichment curriculum and how they taught it.
Opportunities for MWR participants to teach in ITCEP Saturday Morning enrichment workshops, and additional opportunities to formulate and design new workshop materials for the ITCEP academic year and summer Enrichment Programs.
Participation in the ITCEP Math Fun Fair, a special Saturday program for K-8 students and their families, highlighting interesting mathematics, science, and engineering ideas and applications.
Final Workshop

For further information, contact 612-625-2861 or via email at itcep@umn.edu