Rochester/Winona-area Teacher Center launched
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Randy Wanke |
ROCHESTER/WINONA-AREA TEACHER CENTER
LAUNCHED TO IMPROVE MATH AND SCIENCE
INSTRUCTION
Roseville – Improving mathematics and science instruction and learning will be the focus of the new Math and Science Teacher Center in southeast Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Chas Anderson today joined local educators in Winona to launch the Rochester/Winona area Teacher Center, a part of the Minnesota Math and Science Teacher Academy which consists of nine Teacher Centers throughout the state.
“After parents, teachers have the biggest impact on student success,” said Deputy Commissioner Anderson. “Through the training at this Center, teachers will have the opportunity to hone their skills in order to help prepare their students for success after high school.”
The Teacher Center is training 70 teacher leaders from districts across the region on how to effectively prepare students to meet the new mathematics standards requirements put in place in 2007. The Center developed a training module for middle school algebra (grade 6-8) and is developing a module on 9-12 Data Analysis and Probability.
The Math and Science Teacher Academy is a result of Governor Pawlenty’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness, especially in the areas of math and science. Initial funding of $3 million was approved during the 2007 legislative session and an additional $500,000 was made available through a grant from the National Governors Association.
“This is a terrific opportunity to link K-12 and higher education in a cooperative endeavor to help students and teachers get where they need to be in math, and especially algebra,” said Heidi Knepper, School Improvement Coordinator for the Southeast Service Cooperative in Rochester. “We’re pleased for the opportunity this provides for teachers to network across buildings, districts, regionally, and statewide in their effort to strengthen math education across K-12.”
Regional Teacher Center Information
Region 10: Southeast Service Cooperative – Rochester
Partners: Winona State University - Winona
Contact: Heidi Knepper, 507-951-7886, hknepper@ssc.coop
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