An Innovative STEM Education Framework for a Changing Educational Landscape

Abstract

This article describes features of NAUTeach, a secondary mathematics teacher preparation program that is modeled onthe UTeach program at the University of Texas-Austin. NAUTeach is a research-based STEM program that developsthe next generation of mathematics and science teachers by engaging them in rigorous content and methodologycoursework specifically developed to provide a broad, cross-curricular framework of innovativeinstruction. NAUTeach has been specifically designed to serve the needs of preservice mathematics and scienceteachers as they embark on teaching a new generation of students in an ever changing world. The NAUTeachprogram focuses on the development of inquiry-based instructional methods, reflective practice, and peercollaboration through a carefully sequenced series of courses that consistently promote early and frequent field workand a learner-centered focus of teaching and learning. Though the NAUTeach program is a blended mathematics andscience teacher preparation program, this article will focus on the preparation of secondary mathematics teachers bydescribing the cross-curricular (mathematics & science) methodological sequence of courses, along with themathematics-specific pedagogical courses, that preservice mathematics teacher candidates take as part of this program.Connections between the NAUTeach program and guidelines for the content and pedagogical preparation of teacherswill be made with specific attention paid to the development of reflective, innovative, flexible, and reform-orientedmathematics teachers.