ALPHA Center

About CMST

The California Mathematics and Science Teacher initiative program is part of a comprehensive plan to improve mathematics and science education in the Inland Empire. As a result of the CMST program and its partnering efforts, public school students in the Inland Area have benefited from the mathematics and science knowledge provided by CMST Apprentices. Further, public school teachers have benefited from the assistance provided from the program.

The goals of CMST are:

• To provide professional development and a mentoring setting for college mathematics/science majors who want to become teachers;
• To improve student achievement; and
• To update the mathematics/science content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of classroom teachers

Who

Undergraduate Apprenticeships

Each CMST apprentice is provided an opportunity to learn about contemporary mathematics and science content and the pedagogy for teaching that content through a variety of courses, seminars and joint adventures with existing projects. Apprentices are given teaching experience under direct supervision from UCR personnel and public school teachers/administrators. The ultimate goal is to create a pipeline of activity and guidance resulting in each CMST Apprentice securing a teaching credential, an internship in a public school system, admission to a teacher credential education program, or an advanced degree in mathematics/science education.

Apprentices will be expected to work 30-50 hours in a quarter, which includes teaching, tutoring and preparing lessons, amongst other tasks. All apprentices must attend summer training prior to school placement, enroll in and pass appropriate courses and seminars, and attend orientation prior to classroom placement. Further, apprentices also must participate in a cooperating teacher orientation in the fall, and a recognition program in the spring.