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Montclair State University is partnering with Princeton University, Rowan University and STEM education nonprofit Math for America to implement the New Jersey STEM Innovation Fellowship, giving New Jersey public school teachers the opportunity to improve STEM teaching.
“Montclair State is honored to lead a partnership of institutions with renowned teacher preparation and continuing education programs, including Princeton University and Rowan University,” Montclair State President Susan Cole said in a news release. “This fellowship will power statewide innovation in STEM education from the ground up.”
Math for America developed the new program with feedback and support from Gov. Phil Murphy, the New Jersey Department of Education and JerseyCAN, an advocacy group that supports equitable access to STEM education for students.
Thirty teachers will be selected as fellows for the pilot year of the program, which will focus on improving math instruction in the classroom.
The one-year fellowship comes with a $5,000 stipend for participants and is initially open to experienced K-5 teachers working in public elementary schools. Fellows will attend a two-day summer institute at Montclair State University, and then attend monthly workshops hosted by participating universities in their region, where they will implement innovative, research-based teaching practices shown to help students – particularly those in high-needs schools – develop the flexible problem-solving skills they need to thrive in STEM subjects.
“New Jersey has some of the best public school teachers in the nation, who are committed to helping students reach their greatest potential Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “This Math for America pilot will help teachers implement new, STEM-based teaching practices and will enable them to further provide our children with the skills they need to prosper in the innovation economy.”
Funded with support from the Overdeck Family Foundation, PSEG Foundation, Celgene Corporation, BD, and the Maher Charitable Foundation, the fellowship will begin accepting applications in early February. Teachers can learn more and submit applications online at www.innovateSTEMnj.org.