Virginia Middle School Teacher Corps
The Virginia Middle School Teacher Corps helps school divisions fill a critical teacher shortage area: middle school mathematics. By providing access to qualified middle school mathematics teachers, students can meet curriculum standards and have a solid foundation for high school mathematics. The Teacher Corps also provides support for middle schools likely to have difficulty finding qualified mathematics teachers to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Purpose
The Virginia Middle School Teacher Corps program provides the structure and incentives for school divisions to hire experienced mathematics teachers for middle schools that have been designated as "at risk in mathematics" as a result of being accredited with warning in mathematics or not meeting federal benchmarks. A school eligible to participate in the Teacher Corps will have the opportunity to take part in the initiative for at least three years pending available funding. The program will continue for the 2012-2013 school year, contingent upon funding by the General Assembly.
Eligible Schools
Middle schools – or any schools housing grades 6, 7 or 8 – that are accredited with warning in mathematics or that did not meet the federal annual measurable objectives in mathematics as required for AYP are eligible to participate in this initiative. For the 2012-2013 school year, 401 in 122 school divisions have eligible middle schools. If an eligible school division hires or retains a Teacher Corps member, the division may apply to VDOE for annual salary differential funding – contingent on General Assembly funding – of up to a $10,000 for a new hire and $5,000 for a teacher currently employed by the eligible division. retained teacher. In addition to employing the Teaching Corps member, the division agrees to support the Teacher Corps member's participation in VDOE-approved training including release time and travel expenses associated with the required training. If requests for funds exceed available funding, priority will be given to any individuals new to a school.
Eligible Teachers
Middle school mathematics teachers in Virginia who are interested in being considered for the Teaching Corps are encouraged to complete and submit the Teacher Application. VDOE will identify qualified teachers meeting the teacher eligibility criteria and will enter candidates' names into a secure password-protected teacher recruitment database assessable by administrators of eligible middle schools. Teacher Corps candidates who are hired by a school division will be eligible for annual salary differential funding, paid through the employing school division. Teacher Corps members must participate in VDOE-approved training on topics such as strategies for low-achieving mathematics students, skills in mentoring other teachers, adult learning theory, presentation skills, and data assessment as it relates to AYP and school accreditation. Teacher Corps members must be evaluated annually by their school division. Participants must receive a proficient or exemplary rating on Standard 7 - Student Academic Progress and their summative evaluation in order to continue in the program for a second or third year.
- Teacher Application (Word)
Criteria for Teacher Selection
Individuals applying to be considered for the Teacher Corps must meet the following criteria:
- Hold, or be eligible for, an active, renewable Virginia teaching license; *
- Hold, or be eligible for, an appropriate teaching endorsement to teach middle school mathematics; *
- Completed a major or a minor (18-21 semester hours) in mathematics;
- Completed at least three years of successful, full-time teaching experience in grades six, seven, or eight in which the teaching of mathematics was an important responsibility;
- Meet the highly qualified criteria for a middle school mathematics teacher under No Child Left Behind; and
- Demonstrate the following competencies:
- Communication and interpersonal skills required to serve as a resource in: professional development, how to work with children who have learning difficulties in mathematics, curriculum development and implementation, mentoring new teachers, and parent and community education;
- Understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes of the Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning and how curriculum may be organized to teach these standards to diverse learners;
- Skill as a mathematics instructor and a proven track record in improving student achievement in mathematics;
- Understanding of a core knowledge base of concepts and procedures within the discipline of mathematics, including the following strands: number systems and number theory; geometry and measurement; statistics and probability; and functions and algebra;
- Understanding of the sequential nature of mathematics and the mathematical structures inherent in the content strands;
- Understanding of the connections among mathematical concepts and procedures and their practical applications;
- Understanding of and the ability to use the five processes – becoming mathematical problem solvers, reasoning mathematically, communicating mathematically, making mathematical connections, and using mathematical representations – at different levels of complexity;
- Understanding of and the ability to use strategies for managing, assessing, and monitoring student learning, including diagnosing student errors; and
- Understanding of and the ability to use strategies to teach mathematics to diverse learners.
*The individual must have been issued the Virginia renewable teaching license and hold the appropriate teaching endorsement prior to participation in the program.
For More Information Contact:
Kim Powell,
Grants and Reports Manager,
Division of Instruction
Phone: 804-225-3609
Jim Firebaugh,
Science and Mathematics Specialist,
Division of Instruction
Phone: 804-225-3688
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