- Year 2023
- NSF Noyce Award # 1758492
- First Name Rong-Ji
- Last Name Chen
- Discipline Chemistry, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, STEM Education (general)
- Co-PI(s)
Chuck De Leone, Linda Holt, Paul Jasien
- Presenters
Rong-Ji Chen, Anthony Matranga, Moses Ochanji
Need
To encourage undergraduate students to pursue careers in teaching, many institutions offer scholarships, debunk myths of teaching, and provide early teaching experience. It is important to explore additional strategies.
Goals
How can faculty in STEM and Education disciplines collaborate on recruiting and retaining teachers?
Approach
The Noyce project at California State University San Marcos implemented the Faculty Champions for Teacher Recruitment (FaCTR) program as an approach to recruit STEM undergraduates to credential programs. Faculty in the College of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics are invited to serve as FaCTR Fellows. They are provided with tools and resources for teacher recruitment and are expected to consistently talk to their undergraduate STEM majors about opportunities and scholarships in math and science education, including the Noyce program. At the end of each semester, each FaCTR Fellow nominates at least one student for the Student of Promise for a Career in Teaching recognition. We use assorted methods to further cultivate the nominated students’ sense of belonging and teaching identities. These methods include providing them with financial support, inviting them to participate in school of education community events, and supporting their engagement in local and national STEM education conferences.
Outcomes
Through the FaCTR program, we have recruited 20 STEM teachers over the past 3 years, among which 15 are Noyce scholars.
Broader Impacts
Our STEM teachers including Noyce scholars work in high-need school districts, teaching hundreds of students every year. Teachers of color can serve as role models in STEM.
