By: Randy Cypret

The National Science Foundation and the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program has awarded the University of Houston-Downtown $1.08 million to fund the UHD-Noyce Mathematics Teacher Scholarship Program over five years to prepare future middle and high school mathematics teachers for Houston-area classrooms.

UHD's award is designed to provide 30 undergraduate scholarships for juniors and senior mathematics majors who are preparing to teach grades 6-12. The program is a joint venture between UHD's Departments of Computer and Mathematical Sciences and Urban Education, the Aldine and Alief Independent School Districts and Houston Community College-Central Campus.

"Our main goal is to recruit students who are interested in mathematics, but who also are really committed to teaching," said Judith Quander, principal investigator for the grant.

Historically, many graduates with math majors eventually become teachers, but they arrive there indirectly, Quander said. They go into industry and find it unfulfilling or not what they expected. They reach the classroom through alternative certification programs and miss the opportunities available through a regular certification program, she said.

Students who receive the scholarships will be eligible for up to $12,000 a year for two years. Students commit to teaching for two years in a high-needs school district for each year of scholarship they receive. The program will also have a summer component.

Students can apply in the spring for the fall semester. While the scholarship is limited to juniors and seniors, the summer program is open to underclassmen. For information contact Quander at 713-226-5281 or email quanderr@uhd.edu.