Stephen Klebs, a student in the STEMteach program practices his teaching style with other students in the program. The STEMteach program is a newly created program designed to prepare those holding degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to become middle and high school math and science educators.  It was developed in collaboration with the UTeach Institute at the University of Texas at Austin with the first cohort starting earlier this summer.

New Graduate Program to Prepare Math and Science Educators

June 12, 2015 -- The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has received final approval by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for a new teaching licensure program with optional master's degree. The first group of students with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) began classes in the STEMteach program on June 10. 

"I am pleased to grant approval to the College of Education and Professional Studies to offer the STEMteach program and endorse candidates that successfully complete all requirements identified in the proposal," State Superintendent Tony Evers stated in the approval letter received from the DPI. 

In August 2014, UWRF was awarded $299,617 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Scholarship Program to create the new graduate program. The program is designed to encourage and prepare STEM professionals and recent graduates to become math and science educators for middle schools and high schools. 

STEMteach is based on the UTeach model of STEM teacher preparation developed at the University of Texas at Austin and replicated at 44 universities across the country but not yet in Minnesota or Wisconsin.  

"The goal of this program is to enable talented and enthusiastic STEM professionals and recent graduates to become excellent teachers," said Larry Solberg, Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies. 

The program will take candidates who already have expertise or training in mathematics, biology, physics, or chemistry and provide them with the preparation and hands-on experience to be licensed to teach in secondary education classrooms. 

"Developing a graduate initial certification teacher preparation program in mathematics and science has been one of UWRF's strategic initiatives for the past year," said Solberg.According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there is a shortage of qualified teachers for STEM classrooms. Many school districts must hire teachers with temporary or emergency teaching licenses to fill the void, especially in economically distressed parts of the country. 

The program offers an efficient route to become a teacher with a highly marketable license within one year. Qualified applicants will take graduate-level courses on the River Falls campus beginning in the summer and continuing throughout the year. Students will have opportunities for mentored teaching beginning their first term and will complete a full semester of apprentice teaching their final term. Those who wish to complete a master's degree in secondary education may do so by taking additional graduate credits.

Funds from the NSF grant will be used to provide partial tuition scholarships to the first two cohorts of students after they have successfully completed the first two terms of the program. 

Interested individuals are encouraged to meet with an admissions adviser for a personal consultation and preliminary application review. The next cohort of students will begin in the summer of 2016. If interested, call Diane Bennett, associate director, at 715-425-3857 or email diane.bennett@uwrf.edu.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is an accredited institution offering a variety of degree and certificate programs designed to meet personal and professional educational goals. UWRF programs are built on a solid foundation of academic excellence and faculty are friendly, experienced mentors who take the time to address each student's professional needs and career objectives. 

The UWRF graduate programs provide intensive, reality-based learning experiences, which often serve as a steppingstone to professional and career advancement. Browse the complete list of graduate programs offered at UWRF.