The Albuquerque Public Schools seeks funds for a three-year program to enhance 15 teachers of grades K through 4 to become Fellows for the Advancement of Mathematics Education (FAME) and to serve as school-based mathematics teacher- leaders. Each year Fellows will participate in a two-week summer session and weekly classes during the academic year. They will study such mathematical topics as number systems and number theory, algebra and geometry, the history of mathematics, computer application, discrete mathematics and intuitive calculus. Attention will also be paid special concerns of teaching in a multicultural setting, learning theory as related to the learning of mathematics, pedagogical, leadership development, and working with parents. Each year, 15 additional teachers will be selected from the Fellows' schools to be FAME teachers. These teachers will work closely with their Fellows to improve classroom mathematics instruction and will also study university mathematics content. Fame Fellows will have extensive responsibilities as teacher-leaders and will receive released time to handle these responsibilities. It is anticipated that a minimum of 73 teachers will be enhanced. Fame Fellows will earn 30 graduate credits which may be applied toward a master's program or an education specialist degree. Albuquerque Public Schools and the University of New Mexico's cost-sharing accounts for 26% of the NSF budget. This project couples a solid mathematics component to a school-based leadership component. It is run by and for teachers, with excellent backup by university mathematics and mathematics education staff. It may serve as a model for K-4 district-wide systemic change in mathematics teaching and learning.
