Principals and Teachers Learn to EMPOWERR Students to Enhance Elementary Math Instruction

Sixty-six elementary school teachers from English Valley Elementary (North English), Strawberry Hill Elementary (Anamosa) and Kirkwood Elementary (Iowa City) are learning new ways of thinking about fractions at The University of Iowa (UI) this week as part of a summer workshop, entitled EMPOWERR, designed to deepen teacher mathematics content knowledge, develop innovative teaching strategies and stimulate dialogue that could ultimately increase the mathematics achievement of their students. This is the second year of a three-year learning opportunity for this particular group of teachers.

"We know through national math and science report findings that fractions are the one predominant area that students are not as strong as they should and could be," said Dr. Walter Seaman, project co-director and associate professor of mathematics in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and associate professor in the UI College of Education Department of Teaching and Learning. "Through this workshop, we want empower teachers to leave with a better understanding of fractions and at least a 'fraction' better at teaching fractions."

Co-director Dr. Vicki Burketta, clinical associate professor in the UI College of Education Department of Teaching and Learning, agrees. "Creating rich tasks for kids can engage them in interesting conversations. Teachers can do this better when they live the concepts – know the content, know how students think and by choosing worthwhile tasks. Teachers will get all of that here this week."

The EMPOWERR Year 2 workshop, held July 27-31, is part of collaboration between The University of Iowa Departments of Mathematics and Teaching & Learning; the Grant Wood AEA, the Title II Mathematics and Science Partnership Program and the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP).

This summer workshop is only one component of this three-year long project that offers participating teachers professional development throughout the academic year via seminars, ongoing lesson study, ongoing Web-based learning community interactions and on-site implementation assistance. Those participating in the workshop may receive a stipend and up to five graduate credit hours each year of participation in the project. EMPOWERR is aligned with the Iowa Core Curriculum and the Iowa Professional Development Model, which involves whole-school teams in building-wide efforts to improve math teaching and learning.

IMSEP Director Jeff Weld remarked about the workshop, "IMSEP is excited to be part of continuing education for math teachers across the state. By improving instruction in the elementary years, EMPOWERR paves the way for successful long term academic achievement and inspires a passion for continued mathematics learning into middle and high school."

Headquartered at the Center for Energy and Environmental Education on the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) campus, the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) is a collaboration of Iowa's public universities in affiliation with STEM education organizations across Iowa, charged with improving mathematics and science performance of Iowa's K-12 students; preparing more high quality math and science teachers for Iowa's schools; and promoting statewide collaboration and cooperation in STEM education.