QUICK LINKS Today's News News releases ISU homepage NEWS RELEASE 05-03-02 Contacts: Janet Sharp, College of Education, (515) 294-8688 Sarah Lubienski, College of Education, (515) 294-3351 Cathy Curtis, College of Education, (515) 294-8175 Kevin Brown, News Service, (515) 294-8986 IOWA STATE CREATES LICENSURE PROGRAM FOR NEW MATH TEACHERS AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University's College of Education has created a new 7-12 grade math teacher licensure program for people looking to make a career change. Iowa State created the program in response to a growing state and national shortage of math teachers in grades 7-12. The first part of the program leads to a teacher license. The second part leads to a master's in education. The program is designed for professionals with undergraduate degrees in math or math-related fields who are interesting in teaching, said Janet Sharp, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, and director of the program. "The program builds on the unique life experiences that a professional would acquire in their daily work and life," said Sharp. "And, it is especially appealing to professionals who want to make a difference in children's lives." The license fulfills all State of Iowa requirements for teaching middle and high school math. "Graduates of our program will gain a strong theoretical foundation in teaching and learning as well as practical knowledge about dealing with day-to-day issues," said Sarah Lubienski, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction. "In addition, graduates of the program will typically enter the teaching profession at a slightly higher salary than a teacher who holds only a bachelor's degree." Depending on the extent of a student's mathematics background, the licensure phase of the program could be completed in as little as 15 months, said Sharp. Most program courses are offered in the evenings and in the summer in Ames. The first group of potential teachers will start the program May 13 and begin teaching in August 2003. There is still time to join the program. For more information, contact Sharp or Lubienski at (515) 294-7003 or visit the Web site at http://www.educ.iastate.edu/scimath/. -30- Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111 Published by: University Relations, online@iastate.edu Copyright © 1995-2002, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.