Introductions

My name is Bruce Herbert, and I am an Associate Professor of Geology at Texas A&M University. I am working with a team of researchers and educators from Texas A&M University, the North Harris Montgomery Community Colleges (NHMCCD), and urban, suburban, and rural school districts in the Greater Houston area to develop to support the development of an innovative alternative certification program to prepare math and science teachers. The project is supported by were awarded a 5-year, $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Teacher Professional Continuum (TPC) program.

The project, entitled Professional Learning Community Model for Alternative Pathways in Teaching Science and Mathematics (PLC–MAP), seeks to develop an innovative alternative teacher certification program for scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who wish to become teachers. I am working with Cathleen C. Loving (Co-PI) of Texas A&M, Dr. Bonnie Longnion (Co-PI) and Lovelyn Jeanes (Co-PI) of NHMCCD, and Dr. Michael Hinojosa (Co-PI) of Spring Independent School District.

The goals of the five-year project include the development of a professional learning community (PLC) of intern science and math teachers pursuing alternative certification, mentor teachers from area school districts, and science, math and education faculty from Texas A&M and North Harris Montgomery Community Colleges. The design of the PLC is shown above. The PLC seeks to increase the number, quality and diversity of middle school and high school mathematic and science teachers. We hope that this program can become a national model of collaboration among educational institutions to mentor the next generation of science and math teachers.