2018 Maryland Math and Science Institute (MMSI)

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Photo credit: Jahaira Dixon

Photo credit: Jahaira Dixon

Terrapin Teachers co-hosted the 2018 Maryland Mathematics and Science Institute (MMSI) in collaboration with faculty from the Department of Mathematics on June 25-28, 2018.  Teachers from 23 local schools in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Washington, D.C. participated in lectures and discussions focused on cutting-edge research from UMD faculty during the morning sessions.  The afternoon sessions were facilitated by Terrapin Teachers Master Teachers.  Activities concentrated on pedagogical strategies that could be implemented in the high school classrooms.

Terrapin Teachers would like to give a very special thank you to all of the speakers who presented during the four-day workshop.  Listed below are the names of the speakers.

MMSI Math Speakers
Dr. Wiseley Wong, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Larry Washington, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Kasso Okoudjou, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Frances Gulick, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Denny Gulick, Department of Mathematics

MMSI Science Speakers
Dr. Amitabh Varnesh, CMNS Dean (opening remarks)
Dr. Najib El-Sayed, Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics
Dr. Carlos Machado, Department of Biology
Dr. Philip DeShong, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Todd Cooke, Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics
Dr. Cerruti Hooks, Department of Entomology
Dr. Arthur N. Popper, Department of Biology
Dr. Tim Canty, Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science
Dr. Ross Salawitch, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Terrapin Teachers Student Ambassadors

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Photo credit: Jahaira Dixon(left to right: Lauren Shephard, Lekha Tantry, Jonathan Mevs, and Jemies Saratis)

Photo credit: Jahaira Dixon

(left to right: Lauren Shephard, Lekha Tantry, Jonathan Mevs, and Jemies Saratis)

The Terrapin Teachers Student Ambassador Program is a yearlong internship, which offers students the opportunity to become more involved in the recruiting efforts of the program.  Ambassadors are expected to represent Terrapin Teachers at outreach events (First Look Fair, Maryland Day, orientations, etc.), assist with the logistical details for recruitment events, provide support for social media sites, distribute flyers and other promotional materials, and serve as a confident leader and role model for new Terrapin Teachers students.

For students to qualify for the Student Ambassador Program, they must first complete TLPL 101.  They must also: maintain a 2.75 GPA; have knowledge of the Terrapin Teachers initiative; and demonstrate excellent communication skills, dependability, tolerance, maturity, and professionalism.

The student ambassador program is co-led by Dr. Anisha Campbell, Associate Director of Terrapin Teachers and Jahaira Dixon, Program Management Specialist.  Listed below are the names, majors, and classifications for the students who served as the Terrapin Teachers Student Ambassadors during the spring 2018 semester.

(left to right: Lauren Shephard, Lekha Tantry, Jonathan Mevs, and Jemies Saratis)

(left to right: Lauren Shephard, Lekha Tantry, Jonathan Mevs, and Jemies Saratis)

Lauren Shepard- sophomore, geology
Lekha Tantry - junior, mathematics and secondary math education
Jonathan Mevs - senior, computer science
Jemies Saratis- freshman, secondary math Education

2018 UTeach Conference

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photo credit: Danielle Davis(left to right:  front row; Anita Sanyal, second row; Julie Brenner, Kayla White, Precious Azike, Jahaira Dixon, third row; Steve Karig, Joshua Pooranmal, back row; Anisha Campbell, Sarah Henson-Darko, Tara Tanasavic…

photo credit: Danielle Davis
(left to right:  front row; Anita Sanyal, second row; Julie Brenner, Kayla White, Precious Azike, Jahaira Dixon, third row; Steve Karig, Joshua Pooranmal, back row; Anisha Campbell, Sarah Henson-Darko, Tara Tanasavich, Vanessa Wagener)

A large contingent from Terrapin Teachers attended the 2018 UTeach Conference that was held in Austin, Texas from May 22 to 24.  Representatives from 46 UTeach programs around the country met and shared ideas and lessons learned from implementing the UTeach model.

Our Terrapin Teachers staff and Master Teachers were invited to lead several sessions at the conference:

  • “Shared Master Teacher Model”, Dr. Anisha Campbell and Julie Brenner
  • “Integrating Computer Science in The UTeach Curriculum”, Justin Cannady (UTeach Institute), Lee Meadows (UAB Teach), and Julie Brenner (Terrapin Teachers)
  • “Continuing Courageous Conversations: A Model For Social Justice in Early Fieldwork Courses”, Dr. Anita Sanyal, Sarah Henson-Darko, Steven Karig, and Kayla White

Terrapin Teachers undergraduates participated in the conference by presenting in the student poster session.  Listed below are the students and the titles of their presentations:

  • “Developing Critical Perspectives in Step 2: Maintaining an Open Disposition While Shifting from Student to Teacher”, Precious Azike and Joshua Pooranmal
  • “Creating A Learning Community in An Undergraduate Math Class”, Tara Tanasovich and Vanessa Wagener
(photo credit: Jahaira Dixon)(left to right: Tara Tanasavich, Precious Azike, Joshua Pooranmal, Vanessa Wagener)

(photo credit: Jahaira Dixon)
(left to right: Tara Tanasavich, Precious Azike, Joshua Pooranmal, Vanessa Wagener)

Overall, the University of Maryland, College Park was well represented as each student did an outstanding job during their presentations.  Precious Azike and Joshua Pooranmal walked away as the winners of the 2018 UTeach Conference Poster Session in Course Exposition.

(photo credit: Jahaira Dixon)(left to right:Precious Azike, Joshua Pooranmal)

(photo credit: Jahaira Dixon)
(left to right:Precious Azike, Joshua Pooranmal)

2018 UTeach Conference Poster Winners!

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Congratulations to Precious Azike and Joshua Pooranmal for winning the 2018 UTeach Conference Poster Session. The title of their poster was “Developing Critical Perspectives in Step 2: Maintaining an Open Disposition While Shifting from Student to Teacher.”

Terrapin Teachers' Student Spotlight: Young Chung

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Hannah McIlvried’s Reflection on Paid Internship Experience

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During the spring 2017 semester, Terrapin Teachers, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), piloted a paid internship initiative. Interns from the College of Education's Master's Certification (MCERT) program were hired to fulfill one long-term substitute position. During the spring semester, Elyse Sauer and Hannah McIlvried were placed at Northwood High School. They co-taught Algebra I and Algebra II honors courses.

Terrapin Teachers was able to talk with Hannah McIlvried (now Mrs. Hannah Coleman), about her internship experience and how it prepared her for her current position at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD. Hannah teaches Algebra I and Related Math to primarily English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students and Honors Algebra II.