Montclair State Team Gets $1M National Science Foundation Grant

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair State University team has received a three-year, $1.1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program grant for its project “Preparing the Effective Elementary Mathematics Teacher.”

According to a university news release, eligible Montclair State mathematics majors will soon take part in an innovative collaborative program between the College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Education and Human Services that addresses the shortage of high-quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers by preparing them to teach math in the New Jersey elementary schools that need them most.

“It is critical that students interested in careers in education have programs that prepare them to become outstanding teachers,” College of Science and Mathematics Dean Robert Prezant said. “This innovative project will provide students with remarkable and creative preparation within an inquiry-based program that deeply prepares them for the demands of working in today’s education system.”

According to the university, 10 students per year will receive grant-funded scholarships and stipends to be part of the NSF Robert Noyce Teacher scholarship program.

The project’s principal investigator, Montclair State mathematics professor Erin Krupa, and co-principal investigators stated that the grant will enable them to grow the program and actively recruit math majors.

“We will be one of the only programs across New Jersey to emphasize exemplary elementary mathematics education through our teacher candidates,” said Center of Pedagogy Director Jennifer Robinson, who will work on building partner relationships between the university’s departments of mathematical sciences and elementary education.

Together with Aria, Robinson will also strengthen ties with seven area community colleges in order to recruit transfer students into the program.

“We have received well over $25 million in recent years to support STEM teacher preparation,” College of Education and Human Services Dean Tamara Lucas said. “This important new grant furthers our mission of providing Montclair State students with the essential knowledge and skills they need to be excellent elementary math teachers – and make a lasting and positive impact on countless young people across New Jersey.”

University administrators said that the team will build on an earlier NSF Noyce Capacity Building grant for developing a mathematics major for students wishing to be certified to teach K-6 students.

“The earlier grant did not provide opportunities for students, which is why we are very excited about this new award,” Krupa said.

Photo: Mike Peters/Montclair State University

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