Michigan Master Teachers Program
Funded by the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
Track 3: Master Teaching Fellowship, Award Abstract #2345094
Michigan Technological University (MTU) and Northern Michigan University (NMU) are partnering to prepare middle school science teachers to become leaders in STEM education. Through this collaboration, the project will recruit, train, and retain high-quality STEM teacher leaders that can serve as effective mentors and address a systemic shortage of science teachers.
The Master Teachers Program (MTP) aims to recruit 30 experienced and effective science teachers to lead efforts to improve science education in grades 5-9 in diverse, high-need schools throughout Michigan. 20 teachers will enter the program as master's degree holders and 10 teachers will earn a Master's in Educational Instruction Curriculum, jointly developed and administered by MTU and NMU. The degree will be offered entirely online, making it accessible to teachers throughout Michigan.
The Program Goals for the participating master teacher fellows are to increase:
- knowledge of participatory action research, student-centered pedagogy, and facilitation
- capacity to make evidence-based improvements to instruction within their classroom
- capacity to lead an effective professional learning communities in order to enable ongoing educational improvements
MTP School District and Nonprofit Partners include:
Copper Country Intermediate School District, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, Marquette-Alger Regional Education Service Agency, Menominee County Intermediate School District, Midland Public Schools, Upper Peninsula Center for Educational Development, Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association, Michigan Science Teachers Association, and the MiSTEM Network.
The Opportunity
MTU and NMU are seeking experienced middle school STEM teachers from high-need districts* who are interested in building their leadership skills and improving STEM education in Michigan. All participants must be committed to continue serving as a classroom teacher in a high-need district* for at least 5 of the next 7 years.
| Program Elements | Master's-Holding Teachers | Bachelor's-Holding Teachers |
| Leadership Development | Leadership-development program designed specifically for Michigan in full collaboration with participating MTP STEM teachers. | |
| Stipend | Master's degree holders will receive a $10,000 stipend annually for 5 years in return for their completing all program requirements | Bachelor's degree holders will receive a $10,000 stipend upon completion of the master's and additional $10,000 stipends each year for 4 subsequent years |
| Commitment | 5 years | 6 years |
|
Graduate Program |
N/A | Teachers will complete the 32-credit Master of Arts in Education in Educational Instruction Curriculum program at Northern Michigan University |
| Tuition Costs | N/A | Tuition paid by program |
*'high-need districts' have at least 20% or more students from low-income families AND at least 10% teacher turnover, teachers with emergency/provisional certification, or teachers teaching out of grade or subject area. Rural districts may be eligible on the basis of other criteria. Please contact us for more information. View this table and more in the flyer.
Application Process
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Applications are closed at this time. Thank you for your interest!
The Researchers
