FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2011
Contact: Clemmie Phillips
(662) 329-7119
clp2@muw.edu

Teachers gain professional development at MUW CHAMPS Institute

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Approximately 50 mathematics teachers from 22 surrounding school districts are attending Mississippi University for Women’s Creating High Achievement in Mathematics and Problem Solving (CHAMPS) Teacher Professional Development Institute through July 22 in the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Hooper Science Building.

These third through ninth grade teachers are participating in an intensive, two-week professional development experience, that focuses on content covered by the fifth through eighth grade Mississippi Curriculum Framework for mathematics, the NCTM Curriculum Focal Points, and alignment of curriculum with the Understanding by Design Framework.

The CHAMPS Project targets critical teaching issues relevant to middle school math teachers in partnering districts including mathematics pedagogy, standards-based teaching, leadership training and the use of manipulative and technology in the mathematics classroom.

CHAMPS Project Director Sarah Sumners said, “The goal of the CHAMPS Project is to improve teacher quality in the 17 high needs districts located in Northeast Mississippi by providing a comprehensive program of professional development.”

Each teacher will be “highly qualified” to teach middle school mathematics as well as receiving five continuing education units. All materials, supplies and CEUs are provided free of charge. The CHAMPS Project is funded through a Mathematics and Science Partnership through the Mississippi Department of Education.

“The CHAMPS Project also provides a teaching practicum where participants engage in active learning and practice opportunities with middle school students. This teaching practicum, offered in tandem with the two week summer institute, will engage CHAMPS participants in this more effective method of professional development and will strengthen their skill in implementing what they are learning.

Forty students from across the state of Mississippi will be brought to MSMS to participate alongside the teachers,” said Sumners.

This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title II, Part B of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

For more information, contact Sumners at ssumners@ccl.muw.edu  or (662) 241-6088.