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The Harvard MATHTEACH Collaborative is one investment that Weslaco is making in both its teachers and students,” said Homer Colunga, Cohort II member and Weslaco ISD mathematics teacher.

PSJA, Edinburg, and Weslaco are three of the ten school districts participating in the Texas Graduate Center’s (TGC) MATHTEACH Collaborative, a three-year graduate program offering a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Mathematics for Teaching from Harvard University to local teachers.  Dr. Mary Alice Reyes, Executive Director of the TGC explained the goal of the program. “Because mathematics is often considered a significant predictor of success in many fields of study, especially those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM),” Reyes explained, “the Texas Graduate Center, in collaboration with Harvard University, formed a MATHTEACH Collaborative to focus on teacher preparation as a means of impacting student achievement in mathematics.” The TGC has two cohorts in the program.  Cohort I is scheduled to complete their program next year; Cohort II will graduate in 2016.  A third cohort is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2015.

 

With four teachers currently in the program and a commitment to sponsor two more, PSJA ISD stands to have the highest number of teachers receiving Masters degrees from Harvard University’s Math for Teaching Program than any other district in the Valley. Superintendent Dr. Daniel King recognizes the positive impact this will have in PSJA ISD. “This will impact us in several ways. We want our teachers to be experts in their subject matter.  A Master’s Degree in Mathematics for Teaching from Harvard will certainly provide this,” said Dr. King.  And because the degree consists of graduate level mathematics, these teachers will be able to teach mathematics for college credit in PSJA’s Early College High School program.  “This will allow more of our students to make progress towards their college degrees,” King explained.  Dr. King also recognizes the importance of teachers as role models in his district. “Seeing teachers continue to pursue higher education, and having teachers with degrees from Harvard, sends a great message to our students and exposes them to many more possibilities for themselves.”

 

Edinburg currently has one teacher in Cohort I but is offering three additional scholarships for teachers interested in joining Cohort III.  With the addition of three new teachers into the program, Edinburg could have a graduate from the Harvard Math for Teaching Program in every high school in their district.  “Students learning math from a Harvard educated teacher will be exposed to a higher level of learning because of the teacher’s preparation,” said Dr. Rene Gutierrez, superintendent of schools in Edinburg CISD.  Dr. Gutierrez sees this as an investment on a large scale, “When we invest well on our most valuable natural resource, our children, we not only positively impact the lives of the students, but we also ensure a more positive outlook of the economy both at the local and state levels,” said Gutierrez.

 

Weslaco is looking to double the number of teachers they have in the graduate program from two to four.  “Weslaco is the pioneer of the 21st Century Classroom movement in the Rio Grande Valley, and is heavily focused on investing time and resources so that students are successful,” said Homer Colunga, Weslaco East High School teacher and Cohort II member.  “The Harvard MATHTEACH Collaborative is one investment that Weslaco is making in both its teachers and students,” said Colunga, “The idea is simple, raise the quality of math education in our schools by impacting as many students as possible, and in turn provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in whatever future lies in store for them.”

 

The other seven districts participating in the MATHTEAH Collaborative include: Hidalgo ISD, La Joya ISD, Lyford CISD, McAllen ISD, Mercedes ISD, San Benito CISD, and South Texas ISD. Donna and Mission have agreed to sponsor teachers into Cohort III and could be joining the MATHTEACH Collaborative in Spring 2015