Teacher TRAC Hosts Middle School Summer Math/Science Academy

College Teams Up with CSULB and Norwalk-La Mirada USD

Cerritos College hosted middle school students from the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District in a Summer Math/Science Academy from June 28 to July 1.

The college’s award-winning teacher training program Teacher TRAC and healthcare professional preparation program Project HOPE partnered with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District to offer the Academy to address both math/science preparation and increase the pipeline of qualified math and science teachers and health professionals. 

For one week, 46 middle school GATE students in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District attended the math and science curricular enrichment program.  The students participated in hand-on, interactive, inquiry based activities which aimed to strengthen their preparations and motivation to continue pursuing a background in math and/or science.

Cerritos College Vice President of Academic Affairs Bill Farmer, Dean of Science, Engineering and Mathematics Dr. Carolyn Chambers and Director of Teacher TRAC Sue Parsons welcomed the participating students.

Also in attendance from the Norwalk-La Mirada USD were Dr. Ruth Pérez, superintendent of the Norwalk-La Mirada USD, and Chris Forehan, assistant superintendent, curriculum & instruction.

“Summer is a very important time for the students,” said Dr. Pérez. “Participating in this summer enrichment program keeps them on top of the game when they return to school in September. It also gives them an opportunity to think about college.”

Through active, inquiry based activities and collaborative learning 48 middle school students were afforded the opportunity to develop conceptual understanding of major math and science concepts, and relate and apply them to modeling and solving problems.

Lead professors for the Academy included teachers from the school district and Cerritos College faculty members. Two of the lead professors, Patty Buchanan and Tami Francis were Teacher TRAC graduates.

The Academy also offered an invaluable professional development opportunity for pre-service teachers, local teachers, and college professors.  Four Cerritos College prospective teachers participated as assistant professors in the Academy.  They worked alongside lead professors and facilitated small group explorations and labs.

“I had a great experience working with all of the teachers (current and prospective) preparing for the workshops and during the workshops,” said Lora Carreon, Cerritos College math instructor who served as a lead math professor for the Academy.

During the workshops, the prospective teachers get the classroom experience and the opportunity to work with students from all backgrounds.

The Academy gives the prospective teachers an opportunity to observe how the mentor professor approaches different issues that come up in the classroom such as classroom management and students learning at different paces, according to Carreon.

The summer enrichment program was funded by the Math Science Teacher Initiative through our partnership with CSULB College of Education. The initiative addresses the need to close the achievement gap in math and science by creating new credential pathways. Project HOPE was also a partner and contributed funds for resources, supplies and teacher support.

Cerritos College partners with CSULB to provide dedicated, talented individuals to the field of K-12 education. As a student in the integrated, standards-based Teacher TRAC / CSULB program, students can earn their bachelor's degree and multiple subject teaching credentials and complete their student teaching within four years.

More information on Teacher TRAC is available at www.teachertrac.com or at 562.860.2451 ext.2212.

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The Campus Connection - July 19, 2010