MEFT is a two-semester program (with an optional third semester) that is designed to help mathematics graduate students and postdoctoral fellows learn to teach mathematics courses for prospective elementary or middle grades teachers. Math graduate students and postdocs must focus on their math research, so MEFT is time-efficient and not overly burdensome yet still effective.

Why should math graduate students and postdocs consider MEFT?

An important mission of many mathematics departments is to help prepare elementary, middle, and high school teachers. The CBMS report The Mathematical Education of Teachers, published jointly by the Mathematical Association of America and the American Mathematical Society, recommends that "Prospective teachers need mathematics courses that develop a deep understanding of the mathematics they will teach" and that "Teacher education must be recognized as an important part of mathematics departments' mission at institutions that educate teachers. More mathematicians should consider becoming deeply involved in K-12 mathematics education.

If your job plans include teaching at a college or university, then we encourage you to learn about our math courses for prospective elementary and middle grades teachers while you are here. MEFT is a unique experience. Few mathematics departments have opportunities of this type, so in a competitive job market, the experience of learning about courses for teachers can be a valuable asset. These experiences have helped some of our recent graduates get jobs.

Graduate students receive course credit for their first semester in MEFT (see details below). This course credit can also be applied towards the Certificate in Mathematics Education offered by the Mathematics and Science Education Department.

And here’s an additional enticement to encourage you to “make the leap” into educating teachers: MEFT participants, who are US citizens, receive a $2000 research fund to spend on a computer, books, or other professional expenses. (MEFT participants should see the VIGRE administrative specialist for specific University rules on use of funds.) Non-US citizens are encouraged to apply to the MEFT program, but will not be eligible to receive any research fund.

Components of the Program

Semester 1

In the first semester, participants attend a mathematics content course for prospective elementary or middle grades teachers taught by Dr. Sybilla Beckmann.  Every week, participants write a summary of or commentary on their observations (these notes may be helpful when the participant later teaches the course) and they engage in online discussions with other participants. At least once during the semester, participants visit a local elementary or middle school or view videos to see examples of math teaching or to work with elementary or middle school students on math. On test days, participants read a paper or a book excerpt on math education. Graduate students can receive course credit for these activities via EMAT 9700. Postdocs in MEFT should also fulfill the requirements of EMAT 9700.

Semester 2

In their second semester (which need not be the semester immediately following their first semester in MEFT), participants teach the course they observed in their first semester (or a closely related course) and attend weekly planning meetings for this course. Participants will be mentored and observed several times over the semester. The participant will also observe another course for prospective teachers or regularly visit math classes at local school or work on math with elementary or middle school children. No other teaching duties will be required during this semester. Graduate students will be fully supported by a teaching assistantship.

Semester 3 (Optional)

Interested participants may continue to a third semester of MEFT in which they again teach a course for prospective teachers, attend weekly planning meetings for the course, and observe and mentor other participants who are beginning to teach courses for prospective elementary or middle grades teachers.

Applying for MEFT

Apply today! Send an e-mail to Sybilla Beckmann, sybilla at math dot uga dot edu, explaining why you would like to participate in MEFT. The MEFT program is only open to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the Mathematics Department at the University of Georgia.

MEFT Participants

Our current MEFT participants include: Michael Berglund, Rebecca Gaff, Mariah Hamel, Jacob Hicks, Niles Johnson, Whitney Montgomery, Stacy Musgrave, David Swinarski, Kate Thompson, and Joshua Wood.

Past MEFT participants include: Jennifer Belton (10/08-5/10), Matt Mastin (10/08-12/09), and Bree Ettinger (10/08-5/09).