Summer Institute in Mathematics Instruction Helps Teachers Develop Educational Strategies

This summer, the Center for Math and Science Education (CMSE) hosted the second cohort for their Summer Institute in Mathematics. The two-week long workshop helped 51 teachers from six counties and 12 schools grow their understanding of how student learning in mathematics develops throughout elementary school.

During the two-week long workshop, teachers engage in mathematic problem-solving tasks that they are able to take back to the classroom with them in the fall to use with students. The teachers also learn about the most up-to-date research on effective teaching practices and engage in discussion on issues and roadblocks related to student learning. 
The reach of the Summer Institute is impactful by itself, but it is also combined with more continuing education for teachers. The Summer Institute is part of the Creating Continuity and Connections across Content (C4) Project. Though the Summer Institute is only two weeks long, the entire project spans a year of continuing education for teachers who are part of the current year’s cohort. 
“This project provides over 90 hours of professional development training over the course of one year to K-8th grade mathematics teachers and support personnel,” said Jules James, professional development coordinator for the CMSE. “Over the course of the year, teachers participate in a two-week summer institute, attend three follow-up training sessions during the school year, and present at the spring Mathematics Formative Assessment Conference to be held in Oxford March 3-4, 2018. Participants also engage throughout the year in online discussions around relevant classroom issues.”
In addition to the Summer Institute and the C4 Project as a whole, the CMSE offers many other opportunities for professional development for teachers and schools throughout the year. 

“Our professional development division offers workshops, conferences, institutes, and on-site training,” said James. “For the 2017-2018 school year, we have scheduled several sessions related to the newly released Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards for Science. These sessions are available to teachers across all grades.”
The CMSE will also offer additional professional development for mathematics teachers focused on specific math concepts and educational practices. For more information on the CMSE’s professional development opportunities visit their website. 

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Amy Goodin is a writer for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at argoodin12@gmail.com.
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