Virginia Middle School Teacher Corps
The Virginia Middle School Teacher Corps seeks to reinforce the quality of mathematics instruction in middle schools and to help ensure that students receive a solid foundation in mathematics as they prepare to enter high school. This initiative addresses middle school mathematics, one of the top 10 areas of critical teacher shortage in 2010-2011. 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 the Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO) for mathematics performance as required for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Teachers selected as members of the Teacher Corps should be dynamic, well-qualified teachers who have demonstrated success in teaching mathematics in challenging environments. While their priority will be teaching, they also may work with school administrators and faculty to help less experienced teachers. 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 2011-2012 school year, contingent upon funding by the General Assembly.
Eligible Teachers
Through an application process,VDOE will identify qualified middle school mathematics teachers throughout the state who have the desire and ability to make a difference in a middle school that has a demonstrated need to (1) complement its faculty with high-quality experienced mathematics teachers and (2) improve student achievement in mathematics.
Upon verification of credentials and selection into the Teacher Corps, candidates' names will be entered into a secure password protected teacher recruitment database operated by the Department. Only administrators associated with middle schools eligible to apply for incentive funding will be given access to the database. Use of the database for finding a teacher qualified for this initiative is optional, i.e., a school may hire a teacher who subsequently is accepted into the Teacher Corps and submit a grant request after the fact.
Teacher Corps members must participate in training developed or contracted by the Virginia Department of Education, contingent upon the availability of funds. Training may include 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 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:
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- 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.
Eligible Schools
Schools eligible to participate in this initiative include middle schools or any schools housing grades six, seven, or eight that are accredited with warning in mathematics or that did not meet the AMO in mathematics performance as required for AYP. Two hundred and twenty-eight schools in 91 school divisions have middle schools eligible to participate in 2011-2012. If an eligible school division hires an individual accepted into the Teacher Corps, the school division may apply to the Department of Education for funding to provide up to a $10,000 annual salary differential for the Teacher Corps member. If a Teacher Corps member currently is teaching at an eligible school, the school division may apply for funding to provide a $5,000 annual salary differential for the Teacher Corps member. All funds are contingent upon available funding by the General Assembly. The Teacher Corps member is an employee of the participating school division and any discussions related to salary will occur with officials in the school division. The school division must certify that the Teacher Corps member is teaching mathematics in grades six, seven or eight in an eligible school. The school division also must support the Teacher Corps member's participation in training, which will be developed or contracted by the Department, contingent upon availability of funds, including release time and travel expenses associated with the required training.
- Schools eligible to participate (PDF)
- School Application (Word)
For More Information Contact:
Connie Fisher, Teacher Quality Specialist, Division of Teacher Education and Licensure; Phone: (804) 371-7583
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