Develop Mathematical Minds

Watching a student’s face light up with excitement for learning mathematics is a rush like no other! Become a teacher of mathematics and share the magic with learners. Teachers need a substantial background in mathematics, statistics, analytic and writing skills in mathematics and knowledge of content in core areas of the subject. The demand for individuals well trained in statistics, computer science, applied mathematics and education is greater than the available supply.

The UMSL Mathematics Education Certification and optional Master’s Degree in Secondary Education program provide the research-based approaches for teaching effectively. Area schools and organizations such as the Saint Louis Science Center offer excellent opportunities for working with students while learning to teach.

Enrolling in the College of Education teacher preparation program actively and uniquely engages you throughout your studies in working with secondary students as they learn and develop in informal and formal learning settings. The College of Education recognizes that we prepare educators for a variety of roles and a variety of contexts (i.e. P-12 schools, youth serving organizations, museums, zoos, gardens, nature centers, after school programs, tutoring/mentoring programs, businesses, legislative offices, etc.) all of which impact student learning. We want to prepare community educators as well as P-12 classroom teachers who can provide relevance, application, and meaning to student learning in developmentally, socially, and culturally responsive ways. As a teacher candidate, you will work with students in youth serving agencies to support them in non-traditional settings. You will also gain valuable practical knowledge by applying university course content to interactions with young learners in academically focused content-based community agencies such the St. Louis Chess Club, Powder Valley, and many United Way agencies.

Our teacher programs offer unique capstone experiences, two practica in “Studio Schools.” These are schools and districts where design happens, using a “differentiated staffing” plan. Specifically, teacher candidates will work in the school site as a faculty member, planning and teaching to provide in-depth support, flexibility, and intervention for secondary students where it’s needed. The focus of this model is on K–12 student learning. Teacher candidates, supported by the supervisor and school site mentor, will impact secondary students in multiple, varied and wide ranging grade level, achievement and subject specific contexts. These can include small group settings, whole class lessons, enrichment and support lessons all focused learning experiences.

Unique Resources and Innovations:

• Launch session to build community, provide early guidance, and share essential information
• Grand Seminars and Collaborative Exchanges throughout the practicum experiences.

Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA):

• Missouri Content Assessment (MCA)
• Missouri Educator Profile (MEP)
• Missouri Pre-Service Teacher Assessment (MoPTA)

Clinical Experience:

• 10 clock hours working in a community agency
• 2 site-based practicum courses immersed in a Studio School
• Practicum One: 1 day per week working as a Triton Teacher
• Practicum Two: 5 days per week working as a Triton Teacher