Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher Excellence

In response to systemic inequities in mathematics education, we developed and evaluated a five-year, multi-phase curriculum model to cultivate effective secondary mathematics teacher leaders. Supported by NSF Noyce Master Teacher Fellowships, the APLUS in MATH (APLUS in Math: Alabama Practitioner Le...

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Main Authors: Jeremy Zelkowski, Bill Bergeron, Jim Gleason, Martha Makowski, Robert Petrulis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Education Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/788
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author Jeremy Zelkowski
Bill Bergeron
Jim Gleason
Martha Makowski
Robert Petrulis
author_facet Jeremy Zelkowski
Bill Bergeron
Jim Gleason
Martha Makowski
Robert Petrulis
author_sort Jeremy Zelkowski
collection DOAJ
description In response to systemic inequities in mathematics education, we developed and evaluated a five-year, multi-phase curriculum model to cultivate effective secondary mathematics teacher leaders. Supported by NSF Noyce Master Teacher Fellowships, the APLUS in MATH (APLUS in Math: Alabama Practitioner Leaders for Underserved Schools in Mathematics) program engaged 22 inservice teachers through graduate coursework, National Board Certification preparation, and leadership project development. Using a mixed-methods design, we analyzed data from classroom observations (MCOP<sup>2</sup>), National Board Certification assessments, course performance ratings, and teacher leadership project proposals. Results indicate significant improvements in instructional practices, content knowledge, and leadership readiness. Findings underscore the importance for sustained, structured professional development to prepare teachers as instructional experts and change agents in high-need educational contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-e2a96ef72ab34ee6b820cd03c5f2085a2025-08-20T03:07:57ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-06-0115778810.3390/educsci15070788Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher ExcellenceJeremy Zelkowski0Bill Bergeron1Jim Gleason2Martha Makowski3Robert Petrulis4Department of Curriculum & Instruction, College of Education, The University of Alabama, Box 870232, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USADepartment of Educational Leadership, Policy & Technology Studies, College of Education, The University of Alabama, Box 870232, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USADepartment of Mathematics, College of Arts & Sciences, The University of Alabama, Box 870350, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0350, USADepartment of Mathematics, College of Arts & Sciences, The University of Alabama, Box 870350, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0350, USAEPRE (Educational Programs Research & Evaluation) Consulting, 527 Avondale Drive, Columbia, SC 29203, USAIn response to systemic inequities in mathematics education, we developed and evaluated a five-year, multi-phase curriculum model to cultivate effective secondary mathematics teacher leaders. Supported by NSF Noyce Master Teacher Fellowships, the APLUS in MATH (APLUS in Math: Alabama Practitioner Leaders for Underserved Schools in Mathematics) program engaged 22 inservice teachers through graduate coursework, National Board Certification preparation, and leadership project development. Using a mixed-methods design, we analyzed data from classroom observations (MCOP<sup>2</sup>), National Board Certification assessments, course performance ratings, and teacher leadership project proposals. Results indicate significant improvements in instructional practices, content knowledge, and leadership readiness. Findings underscore the importance for sustained, structured professional development to prepare teachers as instructional experts and change agents in high-need educational contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/788mathematics teacher leadershipnational boardsclassroom observationsgraduate coursework
spellingShingle Jeremy Zelkowski
Bill Bergeron
Jim Gleason
Martha Makowski
Robert Petrulis
Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher Excellence
Education Sciences
mathematics teacher leadership
national boards
classroom observations
graduate coursework
title Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher Excellence
title_full Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher Excellence
title_fullStr Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher Excellence
title_full_unstemmed Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher Excellence
title_short Developing Secondary Mathematics Teacher Leaders: A Multi-Year Curriculum for Inservice Teacher Excellence
title_sort developing secondary mathematics teacher leaders a multi year curriculum for inservice teacher excellence
topic mathematics teacher leadership
national boards
classroom observations
graduate coursework
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/788
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