Mathematics Teacher Education Program
The Mathematics Teacher Education Program at Stony Brook University includes Certification
Programs for Secondary Education (grades 7-12) at the undergraduate and graduate level,
as well as a combined, five-year accelerated Bachelor of Science/Master of Arts. The
programs are integral components of the Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Program Options
The undergraduate program requires a major in the Department of Mathematics or in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics and can be further explored within the department's page.
There is also an option to pursue a Five-Year BS/MAT program. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Mathematics Program allows certification at the graduate level for students who already have a baccalaureate degree and can be further explored at the within the School of Professional Development's site.
Both undergraduate and graduate programs feature courses in essential methods in pedagogy as well as extensive practical experience in a variety of educational settings in neighborhood schools. The real and varied classroom experiences that our students experience allow them to begin teaching confident that they can handle the immediate challenges. Our emphasis on mathematics, the use of technology, formal and informal assessments, and the use of manipulatives provides them with the necessary background for professional growth and development.
In both the undergraduate and graduate programs, pre-service teachers are exposed to constructivist theories of learning, as well as others, and numerous pedagogical strategies, including cooperative learning techniques. Students focus on developing approaches to problem solving that will help motivate middle school and high school students. They learn to work with graphing calculators and computers as mathematical tools and also as teaching tools, as aids to conjecture and discovery. They also gain experience working with inclusion students; this is an important part of their preparation for the future fieldwork. Above all, our program has a strong emphasis on learning mathematics, for present content as well as for future growth, and on developing an appreciation of the beauty of the subject and of its connections to art and science.
Each Certification Program in the Mathematics Teacher Education Program is aligned
with the national standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Students spend over 100 hours observing secondary school classes and engage in
an intensive program of microteaching in which they aid two different teachers and
teach several lessons. This is followed by the full-time student teaching practicum,
which prepares them for all the aspects of teaching.
The Stony Brook Mathematics Department strives to educate pre-service teachers with
strong backgrounds in mathematics. In Suffolk County our program has been widely recognized
for its excellence, and for the thoroughness with which our students have been prepared
for the classroom. Many of our students are hired at local schools, often in the same
districts where they have done their student teaching. A further link to the local
school districts comes from our involvement in their Math Meets and Math Fairs. A
multicultural approach to mathematics is part of the program. It provides students
with rich experiences and prepares them for a wide range of teaching opportunities.
For a comprehensive look at the guiding philosophies and logistics of Stony Brook's teacher education programs, read our Guide to Teacher Education.
Contact Information
Lisa Berger, PhD*
Director of Mathematics Education and Associate Professor of Mathematics
(631) 632-8278
lisa.berger@stonybrook.edu
*on sabbatical until August 2024
Jason Starr, PhD
Adivsor for Mathematics Education and Professor of Mathematics
(631) 632-8270
jason.starr@stonybrook.edu
For application procedure questions, please contact:
MAT Admissions
School of Professional Development
2321 Computer Science Building
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794 - 4434
Phone: (631) 632-7050
Fax: ( 631) 982-7311
Email: spd@stonybrook.edu
