MATH FOR AMERICA SAN DIEGO SELECTS CSU SAN MARCOS STUDENT FOR 2011 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

CSUSM College of Education, Health and Human Services student Leslee Howe has been selected as a 2011 Math for America San Diego Noyce Fellow, according to Barbara Edwards, executive director of Math for America San Diego (MfA SD).  Now in its second year, MfA SD is a non-profit organization dedicated to significantly improving mathematics education in San Diego County public secondary schools by providing significant financial support and encouragement to new exemplary mathematics teachers.

“Leslee was chosen from a large and competitive applicant pool,” Edwards said.  “She now belongs to a new corps of future teachers dedicated to improving mathematics achievement in our local schools.”  MfA SD is welcoming six fellows to the program this year.

Supported through a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the five-year MfA SD Noyce Fellowship provides financial and professional support to promising mathematics teachers.  MfA SD Fellows receive a full tuition scholarship for credential coursework at a partner university, a $15,000 annual stipend each year, individualized support from a mentor teacher and extensive professional development opportunities.  Dr. Guershon Harel, professor of mathematics at the University of California, San Diego is principal investigator of the NSF grant.

Howe graduated with a B.S. degree in Mathematics in 2010 from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU), San Diego, CA.  She was a Dean’s List member at PLNU from 2006-2010.  Howe is a 2006 graduate of South Pasadena High School in South Pasadena, CA.  She currently resides in Oceanside, CA.

“Good math teachers are able to connect mathematics to real life, are patient and develop a strong rapport with their students,” Howe said.  “I am proud to be a Math for America San Diego Noyce Fellow and excited to become a teacher.”

After obtaining their teaching credential at CSUSM Howe will receive placement assistance from a partner school district to begin her mathematics teaching career in an area high needs high school.