Programs Preparing Math Teachers

Warner’s teacher preparation programs in mathematics build from long-term empirical and theoretical developments in mathematics education and the learning sciences. Core learning principles that guide our program design include the need for learners to make sense of mathematics and to interact with others while engaging with rich mathematical tasks. Our core teaching principles include the need to pursue and reflect on student thinking so that the students’ own informal and intuitive strategies can be transformed into more formal and conventional mathematical concepts. Finally, our math education courses highlight the social and cultural dimensions of mathematics education, with a consistent and integrated focus on equity and diversity – not just as principles for social justice but as key elements of effective learning communities.

Throughout the program, graduate students engage in collaborative problem-solving activities around a range of mathematical topics using appropriate technology. These intensive experiences are intended to challenge conventional conceptions of mathematics and how people learn math. Ultimately, the goal is to begin the long-term process of building durable perspectives and skills that will help teachers design engaging, equitable, and rigorous math learning experiences for K-12 students.

On a more practical level, the program offers multiple opportunities to analyze curricula designed to be coherent and comprehensive. This stands in contrast to conventional curricula that suffer from the “mile-wide, inch-deep” phenomenon. These “reform” curricula emphasize a developmental approach to learning mathematics concepts by sequencing activities in a way that builds upon students’ intuitive understandings to more conventional, formal representations. The curricula consistently emphasize the connections between mathematical representations, between procedures and concepts, and between instructional units. This ensures that key mathematical ideas are developed over the course of weeks, months, and even years. Furthermore, the curricula situate problems in context so that students use everyday situations to develop mathematical forms of thinking. There are several opportunities throughout the program to observe teachers using these curricula.

The program is committed to issues of equity and inclusion. Many efforts are focused on students in under-resourced school districts and people who are typically underrepresented in mathematics.

A more flexible 30-credit master’s program not leading to NYS certification, for those interested in teaching mathematics in learning environments other than NYS public K-12 schools. These could include: independent, private or charter schools; community colleges; professional or technical schools; colleges and universities outside of the United States; or a variety of other, more informal settings.

Check program-specific requirements for our MS in Mathematics Education (GM1).

Warner offers both EdD and PhD programs that can be customized to include a focus on math education, by:

• Choosing math education courses for program core choices and electives.
• Constructing independent studies and projects in research methods courses related to math education.
• Conducting a dissertation project in the field of math education, sponsored by a faculty member with expertise in math education research and practice.

Learn more about our doctoral programs in teaching.

While Warner offers teacher preparation programs only at the graduate level, interested undergraduate students can apply for admission to Warner and start taking some courses to get a significant jump on their degree. Contact admissions for more information.

If you are a high school student looking for colleges that will allow you to become a NYS certified teacher in five years, while also completing a rigorous liberal arts undergraduate major, you should consider our GRADE program. Offered by Warner in partnership with the University of Rochester's College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering, this program allows undergraduate applicants to be directly admitted to graduate studies at the Warner School. This provides them the opportunity to anticipate some of their graduate coursework and engage in experiences that can help them decide if teaching is indeed for them. For more information, visit the GRADE Program page on the UR Undergraduate Admissions website.