Salve Regina University Student Receives $10,000 NCTM Scholarship
Reston, VA (PRWEB) August 27, 2013 -- The Mathematics Education Trust (MET) of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has awarded the Prospective 7–12 Secondary Teacher Course Work Scholarship to Stephanie Jacques, a rising junior at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. The $10,000 scholarship, which is supported by the Texas Instruments Demana-Waits Fund, will help Jacques continue her undergraduate studies in mathematics. Jacques is from Bristol, Connecticut.
The scholarship provides funding for tuition, books, and other academic expenses to full-time university students who are rising juniors preparing to become certified teachers of secondary mathematics. Jacques is double majoring in secondary education and mathematics.
“I learned how much of an impact I could have on a student’s life by teaching,” Jacques said when asked what has been her inspiration to become a math teacher. “I watched as I helped students understand concepts that they thought would always be foreign to them. The joy I felt in knowing that I had helped others succeed cemented my ambitions to become a teacher.”
Jacques earned the scholarship on the basis of her excellent academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and volunteer community projects, all of which demonstrate the leadership, dedication, and selflessness needed by a successful math teacher. She is the public relations officer and president elect of the Salve Educational Association and is president elect of the Salve Regina Math Club. Jacques served as a student ambassador on Connections Day, Salve Regina’s spring event for accepted students, where she informed prospective students about the education department, as well at the Major Minor Fair, where she recruited students to major in math for the math department.
One of those who recommended Jacques for the scholarship wrote, “By observing lessons in the classroom, she was able to pick up on topics quickly and in turn, thoroughly explain them to students. She was also able to assist them in applying what they learned in a lesson to example problems, real-world applications, and their class assignments.”
Another letter of support stated, “She is a determined young woman who clearly sets high expectations for herself and communicates high expectations for her students. I have witnessed this first-hand through her involvement as a tutor with underperforming students at the local urban high school.”
For more than 35 years, the Mathematics Education Trust has channeled the generosity of contributors through the creation and funding of grants, awards, honors, and other projects that support the improvement of mathematics teaching and learning. The trust provides funds to support in-service teachers in improving their classroom practices and increasing their mathematical knowledge and also provides funds for prospective teachers.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is the public voice of mathematics education, providing vision, leadership, and professional development to support teachers in ensuring mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students. With 80,000 members and more than 200 Affiliates, NCTM is the world’s largest organization dedicated to improving mathematics education in prekindergarten through grade 12. The Council’s Principles and Standards for School Mathematics includes guidelines for excellence in mathematics education and issues a call for all students to engage in more challenging mathematics. Its Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics identifies the most important mathematical topics for each grade level. Focus in High School Mathematics: Reasoning and Sense Making advocates practical changes to the high school mathematics curriculum to refocus learning on reasoning and sense making. NCTM is dedicated to ongoing dialogue and constructive discussion with all stakeholders about what is best for our nation’s students.
Contact: Tracy Withrow, Communications Manager, twithrow(at)nctm(dot)org, 703-620-9840, ext. 2189.
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Tracy Withrow, Nat'l Council of Teachers of Mathematics, http://www.nctm.org/, 703-620-9840 2189, [email protected]
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