The need to increase the numbers of highly qualified mathematics and science teachers is a state-wide concern in West Virginia and a University-wide mission at West Virginia University (WVU). With nearly one in every 18 West Virginia classrooms led by an individual who is not a certified teacher, it is critical to not only continue to recruit new teachers, but to also offer professional development to current teachers.
Master Teachers for the WVUteach program, Elaine Schwing and Vanessa Licwov-Channell, are doing just that by facilitating professional development to math and science teachers. Through a semester-long course that followed a 3-day summer workshop, Schwing and Licwov-Channell have trained teachers in Monongalia and Marion Counties to develop engaging and unique secondary math and science project-based learning assignments to use in the classroom.
Faculty, staff, students and community members – especially local educators – attended a “show and tell” at WVU’s Evansdale Campus on Saturday, December 14 in Lyon Tower’s Blue and Gold Room to shed light on the teacher’s work.
The project is a collaboration between the WVU Center for Excellence in STEM Education and the College of Education and Human Sciences. It is funded by the National Science Foundation EPSCoR RII-Track 1 award.