Mathematics Specialist Program

Who are Mathematics Specialists?
Mathematics Specialists are teacher leaders with strong preparation and background in mathematics content, instructional strategies, and school leadership. Based in elementary and middle schools, mathematics specialists are former classroom teachers who are responsible for supporting the professional growth of their colleagues and promoting enhanced mathematics instruction and student learning throughout their schools. They are responsible for strengthening classroom teachers' understanding of mathematics content and helping teachers develop more effective mathematics teaching practices that allow all students to reach high standards, as well as sharing research addressing how students learn mathematics.

The overarching purpose for Mathematics Specialists is to increase the mathematics achievement of all the students in their schools. To do so, they
  • collaborate with individual teachers through co-planning, co-teaching, and coaching;
  • assist administrative and instructional staff in interpreting data and designing approaches to imporve student achievement and instruction;
  • ensure that the curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and their school division' mathematics curriculum;
  • promote teachers' delivery and understanding of the school curriculum through collaborative long-range and short-range planning;
  • facilitate teachers' use of successful, research-based instructional strategies, including differentiated instruction for diverse learners such as those with limited English proficiency or disabilities;
  • work with parent/guardians and community leaders to foster continuing home/school/community partnerships focused on students' learning of mathematics; and
  • collaborate with administrators to provide leadership and vision for a school-wide mathematics program.

The Math Specialist M.Ed. Program
For those who do not already have a Master's Degree, UVa offers a Math Specialist M.Ed. program. The Mathematics Specialist program at UVa is a 33-credit program leading to an M.Ed. degree in mathematics education. The program will be offered in a cohort model with candidates typically completing the program over three years.

Candidates must complete all of the M.Ed. course requirements.
  • At least 18 of the required 33 credits, including the Practicum, must be granted by UVa. Up to 6 transfer credits may be approved upon admission to the program, and the remainder of the credits must be from consortium partners as approved by the student's advisor, the UVa Curry School, and the Mathematics Specialist Advisory Committee.
  • The Practicum will offer planned off-grounds experiences for advanced graduate students designed to extend professional competencies that are carried out under supervision of an approved professional.
Activities, final report, and presentation/publication will be directed by the student's university advisor.
Program Overview for Mathematics Specialists


Course Requirements

   Mathematics and Mathematics Education Courses   (18 credits)
   (1) MATH 653: Numbers and Operations
   (2) MATH 670: Geometry and Measurement
   (3) MATH 612: Probability and Statistics
   (4) MATH 652: Functions and Algebra
   (5) MATH 654: Rational Numbers and Proportional Reasoning
   (6) EDIS 745: Problems and Issues in Mathematics Education-Leadership I

   Educational Foundation Courses    (9 credits)
   (7) EDIS 882: Curriculum: Advanced Theory (Mathematics)-Leadership III
   (8) EDLF 782: Development and Evaluation of Educational Staff-Leadership II
   (9) EDIS 891: Field Project (Practicum)

   Electives**   (6 credits)
   MATH 660: Algebra for the Middle School Mathematics Specialists
   MATH 671: Geometry for the Middle School Mathematics Specialists
   MATH 680: Mathematics for Diverse Populations
   MATH 596: Supervised Study in Mathematics: Research in Mathematics Education


       *MATH 653 is a prerequisite for all other courses
      **Electives must be approved by advisor

The program is specifically designed to develop competencies in the proposed mathematics specialist endorsement.


Admission Procedures
Applicants for admission to the program must use the online application process. This information along with instructions can be accessed at
https://www.applyweb.com/public/instruct.pl?uvaed

Applicants must be ready to submit all required information before beginning the application process. Requirements for admission to the Mathematics Specialist M.Ed. program include:
  • Two letters of reference with at least one letter from a central office or building administrator;
  • Evidence of at least three years of successful experience teaching mathematics documented by at least one of the required two letters of reference; and
  • Scores from Graduate Record Exam.
After admission to the program, but no later than the second course into the program, each student must schedule a meeting an advisor named below to develop a plan of study detailing which courses will be taken as a part of their program and which institutions would be offering the courses.

Admission Program Contacts
Loren Pitt
Advisor Mathematics Specialist
    Project Director
Phone: (434)-982-4890
Email: ldp@virginia.edu
Vickie Inge
Advisor and Director
    of Mathematics Outreach
Phone: (434)982-4946
Email: vinge@virginia.edu
Susan Lynch
Program Coordinator
    for Mathematics Outreach
Phone: (434)-243-1099
Email: scl4d@virginia.edu

Application:
Contact Susan Lynch, scl4d @virginia.edu

For more information about Virginia's Math Specialists and research on Mathematics Specialists:
Virginia Math & Science Coalition