Montclair State University Partners with Math for America to Launch New Jersey STEM Innovation Fellowship

Montclair State University is expanding its leadership role in creating innovative STEM education programs for New Jersey’s school districts.

In conjunction with partners Princeton University, Rowan University and nationally recognized STEM education nonprofit Math for America (MƒA), the University announced today the implementation of a newly created initiative, the New Jersey STEM Innovation Fellowship, which will give New Jersey public school teachers the opportunity to improve STEM teaching and student learning throughout the state.

“Montclair State is honored to lead a partnership of institutions with renowned teacher preparation and continuing education programs, including Princeton University and Rowan University,” said Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole. “This fellowship will power statewide innovation in STEM education from the ground up.”

MƒA developed the new program with feedback and support from several key stakeholders in New Jersey, including the Murphy Administration, the New Jersey Department of Education and JerseyCAN, an advocacy group that supports equitable access to STEM education for students. Thirty teachers will be selected as fellows for the pilot year of the program, which will focus on improving math instruction in the classroom.

The one-year fellowship comes with a $5,000 stipend for participants and is initially open to experienced K-5 teachers working in public elementary schools. Fellows will attend a two-day summer institute at Montclair State University, and then attend monthly workshops hosted by participating universities in their region, where they will implement innovative, research-based teaching practices shown to help students – particularly those in high-needs schools – develop the flexible problem-solving skills they need to thrive in STEM subjects.

“New Jersey has some of the best public school teachers in the nation, who are committed to helping students reach their greatest potential,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “This Math for America pilot will help teachers implement new, STEM-based teaching practices and will enable them to further provide our children with the skills they need to prosper in the innovation economy.”

Long a New Jersey leader in developing effective STEM education programs, Montclair State University’s Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) initiative helps K-12 school districts to improve science and mathematics teaching. PRISM scientists, educators and classroom teachers are content area specialists in curriculum, professional development, and pedagogy, and its programs emphasize inquiry-based and constructivist teaching strategies, as well as instructional uses of technology to improve student outcomes in the subjects.

PRISM staff, under the guidance of Director Jacalyn Giacalone Willis, work with New Jersey school districts to develop programs such as summer institutes that model best practices, school year in-service programs, and planning programs to aid in curriculum implementation.

“The New Jersey STEM Innovation Fellowship will significantly enhance the impact of PRISM as an influential and cutting-edge organization in New Jersey, and will allow us to continue creating innovative methods for teaching science and mathematics throughout the entire state,” says Willis, who will help oversee the new fellowship program.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Montclair State University to encompass this innovative new program that supports STEM education in New Jersey,” said Math for America President John Ewing. “Because we already have a great relationship with Montclair State, it was a logical place to serve as one of the partner institutions for this initiative. We think this program serves as an ideal model for other states.”

Funded with support from the Overdeck Family Foundation, PSEG Foundation, Celgene Corporation, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and the Maher Charitable Foundation, the fellowship will begin accepting applications in early February. Teachers can learn more and submit applications online at www.innovateSTEMnj.org.