THEC grants aimed at improving teacher education

(from left to right) Dr. Phil Oldham, Provost, Dan Barstow, President of the National Challenger Center for Space Science Education, Tom Patty, Director of the UTC Challenger Center, Chancellor Roger Brown

April 6, 2009

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has awarded funding to five projects from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, for a total of $358,937. UTC had more Improving Teacher Quality (ITQ) Grant Program proposals funded than any other Tennessee higher education institution. UTC projects recommended for funding represent 38 percent of all the ITQ projects funded. “This demonstrates our commitment to grooming leaders in education and preparing teachers for their best classroom experience,” said Dr. Mary Tanner, Dean of the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies. “Improving the classroom skills of our teachers is a significant step in increasing learning and student achievement.”

Other Tennessee institutions to secure ITQ funding are Austin Peay, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis, Lipscomb University, and the Memphis College of Art, receiving one award each; Tennessee Tech and UT Knoxville each received two awards. Four out of the five UTC projects will support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. “Promoting STEM education is a national goal of the federal government,” said Chancellor Roger Brown. “These initiatives help move Chattanooga and Tennessee toward that goal.”

The five UTC projects funded by the ITQ Program are:

• Project: “PLAN of ACTion for High School Mathematics Teachers”
  Director: Tracy Hughes, Mathematics
  Award: $74, 679
  Description: In tenth grade, students take the PLAN test which provides critical information about a student’s future college math readiness level. This summer workshop for high school mathematics teachers will cover teaching strategies, a deep knowledge of math content and a firm understanding of state standards so they can use PLAN test results to benefit their students.

• Project: “Mapping a Curriculum to EXPLORE in Middle School Mathematics”
  Director: Meg Kiessling, Mathematics
  Award: $62,709
  Description: New mathematics standards will be adopted by the state of Tennessee Department of Education for the 2009-10 school year. This summer workshop will assist middle school educators in understanding the changes.

• Project: “Mathematical Processes and Problem Solving”
  Director: Dr. Deborah McAllister, Teacher Preparation Academy
  Award: $74,760
  Description: This series of summer workshops will target improvement in teachers’ mathematical process and problem solving skills.

• Project: “STARS in the Classroom: Science Teachers Achieving Real Success in the Classroom”
  Director: Tom Patty, Director of the UTC Challenger Center
  Award: $74,536
  Description: This summer professional development workshop will allow elementary and middle school teachers from the Memphis City School system to integrate and deepen their knowledge of science, learning and pedagogy through hands-on, inquiry based instruction.

• Project: “Reading Nonfiction, Reading the World: Preparing Middle and High School Students for Academic Success and Informed Citizenship”
  Director: Dr. Lauren Ingraham, Department of English
  Award: $72,253
  Description: This summer workshop will introduce teachers to reading strategies, reflective writing, hands-on projects, and assessment methods designed to help teachers facilitate their students’ understanding of nonfiction texts.

To learn more about participation in any of the workshops described, please contact the office of Dr. Mary Tanner, Dean of the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies at (423) 425-4249.

http://blog.utc.edu/news/2009/04/thec-grants-aimed-at-improving-teacher-education/