Preparing Teachers to Teach the STEM Disciplines in America's Urban Schools

This book explores teachHOUSTON, a designer teacher education program created to respond to the lack of adequately prepared STEM teachers in Houston and the emerging urban school districts that surround it. It provides a systematic investigation of how prospective STEM educators are cultivated to be subject matter specialists and culturally relevant teachers, and emphasizes the impact on their teaching careers. The topics include the influence of parents, teachers, and professors on educator development, internships as a form of professional development, and the influence of National Science Foundation-funded STEM scholarships on the graduates' careers and lives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2021
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of STEM teacher education programs, focusing on the teachHOUSTON program designed to address the shortage of adequately prepared STEM teachers in Houston and its surrounding urban school districts. Through a systematic investigation of how prospective STEM educators are cultivated to become subject matter specialists and culturally relevant teachers, the authors delve into the academic, professional, and personal perspectives of teacher experiences to emphasize their impact on aspiring and emerging teaching careers. The topics covered include the influence of parents, teachers, and professors on educator development, the role of internships as a form of professional development, and the impact of National Science Foundation-funded STEM scholarships on the careers and lives of teachHOUSTON graduates. Given the importance of STEM education for human and economic prosperity, this volume appeals to both national and international readers.

Introduction:
The shortage of adequately prepared STEM teachers in urban school districts has become a significant concern in recent years. This shortage is particularly pronounced in Houston, where the demand for STEM education is rapidly growing. To address this issue, the teachHOUSTON program was created, with the aim of cultivating prospective STEM educators who are both subject matter specialists and culturally relevant teachers.

The TeachHOUSTON Program:
The teachHOUSTON program is a designer teacher education program that was developed in response to the lack of adequately prepared STEM teachers in Houston and its surrounding urban school districts. The program was designed to provide a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum that prepares prospective educators to become effective teachers in the field of STEM.

The Curriculum:
The teachHOUSTON curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the STEM disciplines, including mathematics, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program also focuses on developing the cultural relevance of STEM education, which is essential for teaching students from diverse backgrounds.

The Teachers:
The teachHOUSTON program recruits and trains highly qualified teachers who are passionate about teaching STEM. The teachers are provided with ongoing professional development opportunities to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in STEM education.

The Impact:
The teachHOUSTON program has had a significant impact on the lives of its graduates. Graduates of the program have gone on to become successful STEM teachers in urban school districts, where they are helping to close the achievement gap between students from different backgrounds.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the teachHOUSTON program is a successful example of a designer teacher education program that is designed to address the shortage of adequately prepared STEM teachers in urban school districts. The program's comprehensive curriculum, dedicated teachers, and focus on cultural relevance have helped to prepare prospective educators to become effective teachers in the field of STEM. As the demand for STEM education continues to grow, programs like teachHOUSTON will be essential in ensuring that students have access to high-quality STEM education.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839094576