2010 Phonathon - School of Education Center for Professional Development

Have you ever watched the TV show “Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?” ? Perhaps like me you play along with the game, proud that you excel in most categories but there are some categories that just make you cringe (after all, it’s been a long time since 5th grade). For me, it’s the math.

Math is a difficult subject to teach, and a difficult subject to learn for many. Yet the ability to read, write and compute are essential to success in life --- just ask any teacher. In New Mexico, more than 75% of high school graduates must take remedial math when entering college. Many of those students drop out before their sophomore year because they are unable to successfully complete a basic pre-collegiate course. Something needs to be done to help our teachers and our students – our future depends upon it – and the School of Education at Highlands University has the answer. But we need your help.

Through its newly created Center for Professional Development, the School of Education in collaboration with the NMHU math department, is embarking upon a program to work with teachers to improve the skills of middle school students in math. This one-of-a-kind program will engage teachers of middle grades to participate in a year-long series of workshops aimed at exploring effective teaching methodologies and practices that help students succeed. What is probably obvious to you as a teacher, and supported by national research, is that the neglected middle school math programs are the key to improving our national challenge in increasing math skills and competing globally. Seed money for this innovative project is being funded by the NMHU Foundation.

The NMHU Foundation has within the first two months of 2010 already raised more than $100,000. But, we will need another $200,000 to initiate and sustain the project for the first two years. That’s where you come in. We are asking you for a donation to bring this program to reality. As a graduate of the NMHU School of Education, you can already imagine how important this project is going to be for our teachers and our students. This unique program is expected to become a model for the US as we grapple with developing citizens who can complete higher education and compete in the global market.

How can you help? What should you donate? The answer is: Any amount is important to this campaign. Donations so far have ranged from $20 to $50,000. Small amounts from many of you multiply into large amounts for NMHU. You can donate online through our partner, Network for Good, by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Sharon S. Caballero

Interim Executive Director

PS – The first workshop for the School of Education Center for Excellence begins this summer and will involve five northern New Mexico School Districts. Keep up with the progress of this project and this campaign by visiting NMHU.edu.