SUPPORT and MENTORING in an
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE to TEACHING
(SMART)
As is the case for its parent
organization, MATH
for AMERICA, the goal of the SMART in Utah program is to help school
districts increase the number of quality mathematics teachers. The SMART
program selects candidates on the basis of the strength and depth of their
mathematical knowledge and interest in teaching. The focus is on
professionals in mathematics-based occupations who wish to obtain the
necessary pedagogical skills to enter the teaching profession. Selected
candidates (SMART Fellows) will be provided with:
1) Coursework necessary for
licensure.
2) Time in the classroom as
student teachers under the supervision of cooperating teachers.
3) Financial support
equivalent to that of a graduate assistant for one year.
4) Continued professional
development. SMART Fellows enter the teaching profession as contracted educators
to remain in the schools for an additional four years after the first year
of training. During those four years, mentoring and oversight continue and
participants follow a program of study preparing them to become master
teachers.
Eligibility
To be eligible, prospective
candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 21 credits of
Mathematics and Statistics at or above calculus. Individuals with teaching
degrees are not eligible. Follow the link for more detailed information on eligibility
criteria.
Application Process
To apply for a USU SMART fellowship one must
follow the general Math for
America application process.
In addition, applicants should notify the
director of USU’s SMART program by mail or by email when they have
completed the Math for America application process. Send this notification
to Dr. Eric Rowley at:
SMART, USU-CEU
Attn: Eric Rowley
639 W, 100 S
Blanding, UT 84511
or
e-mail to: eric.rowley@usu.edu
Selection Process
All applications will be thoroughly reviewed by
the program staff and selection committee. Applicants demonstrating
outstanding potential will be invited to participate in an interview on
February 7, 2011. Final admission decisions for the 2011 Fellowship will be
made and accepted applicants will be notified by February 16, 2011.
Note: For individuals who are selected,
the USU SMART Fellowship will be contingent upon pre-admission to the Utah
State Office of Education Alternative
Route to Licensure (ARL) program
during the March – July application period.
Application
to the ARL program requires a background check.
First Year
SMART Fellows will take a full course of study
consisting of both content and pedagogy courses and mentored student
teaching, leading to Teaching Licensure and a Level IV Mathematics
Endorsement.
Years 2-5
Fellows agree to teach for a minimum of four
years in an accredited Utah School. To the degree possible, the SMART
program will assist fellows in securing a fulltime teaching position.
Fellows will continue to take courses (in the evenings and summers) leading
to full licensure, a Level IV Mathematics Endorsement, and a Masters Degree
(the Masters Degree is optional, but strongly encouraged).
For the first two years as fulltime teachers, the
SMART program will hire an experience teacher as a mentor. In the summer
following the first year of teaching, fellows and mentors will participate
in the Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI) professional development
summer institute. During years 2-5 fellows will continue to participate in
a variety of SMART sponsored activities.
Compensation First Year
Fellows will receive a stipend in the amount of
$1,250 per month for either 12 months (including
one summer) or 15 months (including two summers) and full tuition, fees,
and books four all approved coursework. Fellows will receive an additional
$1500 stipend for health benefits. Fellows will receive assistance from the
program in securing a teaching position.
Compensation Subsequent Years
Each year, fellows will receive a salary
supplement equal to that of a teacher with a master’s degree and five years
service or $6,000, whichever is greatest. In addition, they will receive
tuition leverage for courses to complete full licensure, a Level IV
Mathematics Endorsement, and a Masters Degree. Fellows will participate in
continuing professional development, both academic year and summer during
their tenure as fellows. Fellows will receive an additional $2,000 stipend
in the summer they participate in the PCMI professional development summer
institute.
Fellows who fill a teaching position in a rural
school district will receive an additional $2,000 stipend as a signing
bonus.
Additional Information
For further information, do not hesitate to
contact Dr. Eric Rowley at eric.rowley@usu.edu
.